Cancer in cats is unfortunately considered relatively common and more prevalent than ever before. But why?
In part, it's because cats are living longer. It's not unusual for veterinarians to see two or even three cats over the age of 15 every day. They're the beneficiaries of great home care, advanced nutritional research and modern veterinary medicine. Read on to learn about the signs to look out for and how to give your kitty the best possible oncology care if she ever needs it.
What exactly constitutes a cancer? Contrary to popular opinion, not every ugly mass, growth or cat tumor qualifies.
Cancer is best defined as a disorder caused by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. A cancer may originate in one single tissue of the body, but it can sometimes affect faraway organs as it spreads, typically through the circulatory and lymphatic systems by a process vets refer to as metastasis. For example, cells dividing in a tumor that starts in your cat's ear could travel through the bloodstream to her liver.
Just like in people, cancer in cats is often hereditary, which makes it more prevalent within specific genetic lines. This means that some breeds of cats can be predisposed. It also means that some cancers are more common in cats than they are in people. Here are the most typical kinds of cancer in cats:
The signs of cancer also aren't at all straightforward (in most cases). Except for obvious lumps and other superficial lesions, they tend to be non-specific and similar to the signs of other kinds of internal disease. Here are the most common signs of cancer in cats:
Any of these should motivate a cat parent to take their pet to the vet immediately.
Modern veterinary medicine has made treatment of cancer in cats more effective and more humane than ever before. Treatment protocols geared to sensitive feline personalities are being developed every day. Ideally, they're undertaken in a home environment, but some part of the therapy is typically performed in a veterinary hospital setting.
While surgery is often in order for superficial cat tumors (squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and mouth, soft tissue sarcomas and mammary tumors, for example), chemotherapy may be required. Though it sounds scary, chemotherapy is different in cats than it is in people. Its goal is simply to send the cancer into remission without affecting your furry friend's quality of life. If at any time your cat becomes uncomfortable as a result of the therapy (usually injections), the treatment may be stopped. Radiation therapy is an option too, but it's less often undertaken for cats.
The aim of any cancer treatment, regardless of the kind of cat tumor, is to improve the patient's quality of life. If your cat is diagnosed with cancer, your vet can suggest the best course of treatment and help her back on her way to wellness.
Dr. Patty Khuly is an award-winning veterinarian known for her independent thinking, her spirited pet advocacy, her passion for the veterinary profession, and her famously irreverent pet health writing.
Dr. K is an honors graduate of both Wellesley College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She received her MBA at The Wharton School of Business as part of the prestigious VMD/MBA dual-degree program. She now owns Sunset Animal Clinic, a veterinary practice in Miami, Florida.
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