Focal necrotizing granulomatous panniculitis associated with subcutaneous injection of rabies vaccine in cats and dogs: 10 cases (1988-1989)

Twenty-three biopsy specimens were diagnosed as injection-site reactions by the Laboratory of Pathology of the University of Pennsylvania between September 14, 1988 and June 26, 1989. Historical information about 10 animals from which biopsy specimens were obtained was acquired through written questionnaires sent to veterinarians. Eight cats and 2 dogs had been injected in the subcutis with rabies vaccine or rabies vaccine combined with other vaccines approximately 2 weeks to 2 months prior to appearance of the lesion. All lesions were well-circumscribed, firm, subcutaneous masses that had a zone of central necrosis, with peripheral infiltration by macrophages, and variable numbers of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils. Although most biopsy lesions sites healed after a few weeks, intramuscular rabies vaccination seems preferable until a less pathogenic, subcutaneously administered vaccine is available.