Content
- cancer in cats
- Breast cancer in cats, lymphoma in cats and other cancers
- Symptoms of cancer in cats
- How to Diagnose Cancer in Cats
- Can cat cancer be cured?
When we talk about cat cancer we are referring to a set of diseases that cause the uncontrolled division of cells in different parts of the body, causing, in most cases, the appearance of a tumor. Due to a better quality of life of domestic cats, which implies greater longevity, cases of cancer in cats are increasingly frequent.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain to you everything you need to know about cancer in cats, reviewing the different types of cancer that exist, the most frequent symptoms, diagnostic methods and different treatments.
cancer in cats
Cancer is a term used to describe a set of diseases. They all have in common that cells from certain parts of the body grow and divide without wildly, which causes an expansion of the surrounding tissue. Some types of cancer form lumps known as "tumors" or "neoplasms" which are actually an accumulation of cells. Others, such as leukemia (blood cancer) do not form solid tumors.
They exist various types of neoplasms, as those commonly known as "benign" tumors, which are those that do not invade tissues and do not spread to other parts of the body. On the other hand, we find "malignant" tumors, those that spread throughout the body, forming what is known as "metastases".
It is not always possible to know the causes that cause cancer in cats, but the most common are:
- genetic predisposition
- Exposure to certain factors such as smoke and environmental toxins
- viral infections
Breast cancer in cats, lymphoma in cats and other cancers
Unfortunately, there are a wide variety of cancers that can affect our felines. So, let's give you some examples of the most common types of cancer in cats and their characteristics:
- Lymphoma: Lymphoma cancer in cats is one of the most frequent and originates in lymphocytes, that is, in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes or lymphatic tissues. It can appear anywhere or in several at the same time. The appearance of this cancer is strongly associated with feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: this type of cancer affects the dermis and can go unnoticed in its early stages, being mistaken for a wound that has not just healed. It usually affects the nose, ears and it is not usual to have metastases throughout the rest of the body.
- breast cancer: Breast cancer in cats is frequent in unneutered females, although it can also occur in neutered females and males. It usually manifests as nodules in one or more mammary glands.
- intestinal adenocarcinoma: Intestinal cancer in cats can affect the large and small intestines, invading the intestine in an extensive and rapid way. Clinical signs such as loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea are common.
- Soft tissue sarcoma: Also known as fibrosarcoma, this cancer originates in fibroblasts, usually under the skin. Firm nodules that increase in size may be seen.
- osteosarcoma: This type of bone cancer in cats is quite common. The most common symptoms are the obvious signs of pain, difficulty walking and fractures.
- mast cell tumor: originates from mast cells, cells found throughout the body. It can present in a single mass or in the form of multiple nodules, sometimes accompanied by an ulcer.
Symptoms of cancer in cats
As you read, there are different types of cancer in cats, which can affect different tissues in the body, which causes clinical signs. very distinct between each other and difficult to recognize. In addition, at an early stage, cancer can develop slowly, causing symptoms similar to other diseases, which makes it difficult to detect this disease quickly. Age is related to this problem. older cats are more likely to suffer from cancer.
The most common symptoms of cancer in cats are:
- Appearance of lumps on the body;
- Bleeding;
- Wounds that don't heal;
- Ulcers;
- Bad breath;
- Difficulty eating;
- Intermittent or continuous salivation;
- Limp;
- Snoring and coughing;
- Respiratory noises;
- Vomiting and diarrhea;
- Jaundice;
- Abdominal distension;
- Weakness;
- Loss of appetite;
- Weight loss;
- Depression.
If your cat has one or more of the clinical signs mentioned, it is It is advisable to urgently visit your veterinarian confidence, as the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the better your feline's prognosis.
How to Diagnose Cancer in Cats
Given the suspicion that your cat may have cancer, the most recommended is go to the veterinary center to carry out the different diagnostic tests. It is important to note that the physical examination is not always enough to diagnose a disease, so the veterinarian may have to use different methods.
An ultrasound, blood test, and x-ray are common to determine the location and extent of the tumor. For confirmation of the diagnosis it is essential analyze the affected tissue, through a biopsy, that is, a tissue extraction and subsequent microscopic analysis. Depending on the type of cancer and its location, it may be necessary to perform more complex tests, such as an electrocardiogram, MRI or a CT scan.
Can cat cancer be cured?
Although it depends on many factors, cancer in cats can be treated if it is detected early and if proper treatments are given. Correct treatment can significantly increase the feline's life expectancy. Even so, it is important to note that not all cats respond positively to treatment and even, in some cases, the veterinarian may choose not to treat the animal, when its quality of life is compromised, for example. In any case, the expert must guide and guide you to the best decision.
The three most common types of cancer treatment in cats are:
- Surgery: is the most used method in the presence of cancer and may have different goals. Your veterinarian will decide whether it is advisable to bet on the total elimination of the tumor, the partial elimination of the tumor in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment or even the elimination of the tumor with the sole aim of improving the animal's quality of life. Surgery always involves some risks for the cat and the use of analgesics and other post-operative care may be necessary.
- Radiotherapy: not all veterinary centers have this method of treatment and your veterinarian may choose to refer you to another centre. This method consists of applying external radiation to the tumor, which has the ability to kill tumor cells, although also some healthy cells. it takes several sessions and the treatment usually lasts between 3 to 5 weeks. The most common side effects are vomiting, nausea, hair loss and skin irritation, which can be controlled with the use of medication.
- Chemotherapy: we currently find a wide variety of anticancer drugs that work by attacking tumor cells, whether in the form of pills or injection. Side effects of chemotherapy can include hair loss, bone marrow suppression or gastrointestinal irritation.
Cats that maintain cancer treatment need to special cares to maintain their quality of life. It may be helpful to write down the feline's symptoms and behavior on a daily basis, in order to help the veterinarian adjust the treatment.
Among the cares, we highlight a quality food, ensuring comfort zones for the feline, the use of pain medication (analgesia), medication for secondary bacterial infections (antibiotics) and anti-inflammatory drugs.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.