The Plague Year
Feline Vaccinations May Prove Deadly
From Correspondent Ann Kellan
ITHACA, New York (CNN) -- Are cats getting cancer from their annual vaccinations?
Researchers think a small percentage are. And while getting your cat vaccinated once a year prevents terrible diseases like rabies and feline leukemia, those same vaccinations may cause cancer in some cats.
Nancy Allen's cat, Smokey, was one such unlucky cat.
Allen dutifully had Smokey vaccinated every year. But when her multi-colored cat was 9, a tumor appeared between her shoulder blades, right where Smokey got her vaccines. The vet diagnosed the lump as cancer and the tumor was removed, but it keeps growing back.
"No one really knows why," Allen says.
And unfortunately, in cases like Smokey's, the returning tumors are often terminal.
"I'm not really sure what the average survival time is, but it's months," Allen adds. "(But) I know statistically, 30 percent of these cats are alive after three years."
After tracking similar cases for the past eight years, veterinarians have made a similar connection between the vaccinations and tumors.
"There truly is an association in some cases, with routine vaccinations and the development of these tumors called sarcomas," says Dr. James Richards of Cornell University. "It still appears to be an uncommon problem." 
Only about one in four cats out of 10,000 get this vaccination-related cancer, Richards says. Veterinarians really don't know what causes the cancer, whether it's irritation and inflammation from getting the shots all in one place or if it's a particular vaccine that's the culprit.
"Most of the vaccines that cats receive aren't associated or don't appear to be associated as greatly as some," Richards says. "The ones that are most associated right now are feline leukemia virus vaccines. It's not really clear how closely associated rabies vaccines are for cats."
So should cat owners discontinue vaccinations? Veterinarians say no.
They say many more cats would be dying from feline leukemia, distemper or rabies if it weren't for vaccinations. And since people get rabies from animals, most states require yearly vaccines for dogs and cats, meaning their owners wouldn't have a choice in the matter.
Even with her experience with Smokey, Allen agrees her cat needed the vaccinations.
"I don't want people to think in any way, manner, shape or form, that we shouldn't be vaccinating," Allen cautions. "It's just that we have to be careful about where we vaccinate."
Veterinarians from across the United States are meeting in committees to revise cat vaccination standards. Their goal is to decide which cats should get which vaccines and where on their bodies the cats should receive them.
One recommendation is to give certain vaccines on the cat's legs, an area where tumors are easier to remove. Some vets, however, find this procedure awkward and unnecessary.
"From a practical standpoint, it's very difficult to do," says Dr. Drew Weigner, a feline specialist. "And from a standpoint of whether it would really help the cat, I think that's still a lot of conjecture."
Still, most vets agree that vaccinations should not be given all in one spot. And with further study, cats may actually need to be vaccinated less often. Weigner says a blood test currently under development would one day test a cat's immunity levels. This means cats would only be vaccinated when immunities to certain diseases are low.
"That's the future. That's a very important part of the future," Weigner says. "It may be that cats need to be vaccinated very infrequently."
But for now, yearly cat vaccinations are strongly recommended.
And even though Smokey has had to have surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to treat his persistent and deadly cancer, Allen still believes in yearly vaccines.
"If I got a new cat, of course I would vaccinate that new cat," she says.
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Tears Over Cat's Response To Sister's Kittens After Her Miscarriage
A social media video that shares how a cat who has been through a miscarriage cares for her sister's kittens has tugged at heartstrings across the internet. The viral video showed audiences how diligently the female cat dotes over her nieces, by licking them all thoroughly, which is a sign of love in the feline world.
According to the video's creator, the black cat spends all her time "taking care of" her sister's babies, after she sadly went through a miscarriage. The heartwarming video clip captured the siblings and the newborn kittens huddling together, which is a common way to bond in the animal kingdom.
The emotional video has been viewed over 2.3 million times since it was first shared to TikTok five days ago.
A stock image of two kittens. The viral video shared how a cat who had gone through a miscarriage now dotes on her sister's kittens. Getty ImagesVCA Animal Hospitals writes on its website that most cat miscarriages are the product of viral infections, including feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus, and feline enteric coronavirus.
"Bacteria are often cultured in cases of miscarriage," the veterinary center wrote online.
"Infection is common in the miscarriage of cats, however, it is difficult to determine whether these bacteria are the actual cause of miscarriage," it adds.
What Do the Comments Say?Since it was shared to the social media platform on July 31 by @TittiesGoTogetherForever has been liked by over 672,000 users and commented on more than 3,000 times to date. Plenty of TikTokers have gushed over the heartbreaking video in the post's comments section, or shared their own emotional rendition of the events caught on camera.
"My cat had two live kittens and that's all we ever saw her give birth to but one day I went to look under my bed to grab my duffle bag a day after," one user wrote. "She gave birth and when I looked inside I saw a passed away kitten she tried to bury. My heart hurt so much for my sweet girl," they added.
The user continued to share that they were so scared by what had happened that they ran down their stairs "bawling."
Another TikToker commented: "All she ever wanted was to be a mother, and now she can."
The TikTok post can be seen here.
Newsweek reached out to @TittiesGoTogetehrForever for comment via TikTok.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.Com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Let Cats Cure Your Back-to-class Stress At El Jefe Cat Lounge
A couple kitties snoozing in a corner on August 15 at El Jefe Cat Lounge. The cat cafe also helps visitors to relax.
For most, back to school means back to stressing like no other. There are many stress relievers, and animals have proven to be one of the successful tricks. At El Jefe Cat Lounge on 3025 N. Campbell Ave., students can study with a kitty by their side or even go on their off day to pet some felines and relax.
The owner of El Jefe Cat Lounge, Tiffany Lee, opened her business in October 2019. She was inspired by a cat cafe in Phoenix, her daughter moving to Tucson and taking their cat with her. She was missing her cat, so she went to a Phoenix location called La Gattara Cat Cafe a few times. She figured something similar in Tucson would be good for the community.
A cat lounges on the couch in El Jefe Cat Cafe in Tucson, Ariz., on Aug. 8. The cat cafe is located on North Campbell Avenue. (Jackie Cabrera) Unfortunately, it has been an uphill battle since opening the cat lounge. Lee said, "It's been a lot of work, and we barely survived through the pandemic, but Tucson has been very supportive."
Despite her 60-70 hour work weeks, it is rewarding for her to see people having a good time and some cats finding their forever homes.
"The main reason I opened [El Jefe Cat Lounge] is because it helps with stress. Just petting or cuddling a cat can reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure," Lee said. She also mentioned that visitors can "make new cat friends if you're having a hard time making friends on campus."
A cat peers out the window at El Jefe Cat Cafe on Aug. 8. The cat lounge is open from 10 a.M. To 7 p.M. Sunday through Thursday and until 8 p.M. Friday and Saturday. (Jackie Cabrera) Customer Claire Alexander said, "It's a really quiet place that you can get a lot of school work done at. It's definitely more peaceful than an average coffee shop."
"The cats are very nice, and their presence is just better when doing school work," customer Katie Cao said.
Katie Cao, customer, feeding a treat to one of the cats on Aug. 15. She visits El Jefe Cat Lounge to escape from the stress of school. (Amanda Mourelatos) For students that live outside of dorms, adoption is also an option. Being able to interact with the cats in a semi-home environment is beneficial to seeing more of their true personalities. All cats are negative for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, as well as spayed or neutered," Lee said. "You get their full personalities here for a better match."
If adopting isn't feasible right now, the cat lounge can help cure homesickness as well. After leaving a furry friend at home, cuddling with these cats will surely help.
One of the cats, Chopstick, chilling in a plush bed on Aug. 15. The cats at El Jefe Cat Lounge are all adoptable by visitors. (Amanda Mourelatos) First-time customer Gary Talarchek used to own cats, but they have passed away. "I came here out of curiosity and to spend some time with cats," Talarchek said.
When he used to be a teacher, they would hold petting zoos for students during finals week to relieve stress.
"This is kind of similar to that," Talarchek said.
El Jefe Cat Lounge is open from Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.M. To 7 p.M. And Friday and Saturday from 10 a.M. To 8 p.M. More information about adopting or the cat lounge can be found on the El Jefe Cat Lounge website.
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