Pet Owners Say Cat’s Cancer Caused By Vaccine

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --

A family pet is dying of cancer, and the owners say their veterinarians told them the tumor was likely caused by a vaccination."The bump started growing towards the beginning of the year," said Alyssa Gorden, one of the cat's owners.Her cat, Hozart, has a large open tumor just above his tail, the same spot where the cat was vaccinated in Montana years ago."It was just a routine visit, 'Oh your cat needs a vaccination,'" said Anthony Gorden, Alyssa's dad. "I was never told of any risks or anything like that."Anthony said the cat was vaccinated for rabies, distemper and feline leukemia. Since Hozart developed the tumor, the family has learned that the leukemia vaccine isn't necessary for in-door cats like Hozart, and that it carries one of the highest risks of any animal vaccine for causing cancerous tumors."It seems to be the vaccine most likely to induce sarcomas," said Dr. Deborah Germeroth, from High Country Veterinary Hospital in Colorado Springs.....................