Feline Cancer – Prevalent in Older Cats
No pet owner wants to hear a diagnosis of
feline cancer for his or her beloved cat. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean a death sentence to your pet. While cancer can occur in younger cats it is predominantly an illness associated with older cats. Advances in medicine and general care and feeding have cats experiencing longer life expectancies therefore cancer is steadily growing with older felines.
Environmental issues can be contributing factors to feline cancer such as; chemicals, radiation, hormones and viruses they may have picked up from other cats. These factors accumulate over time and this is the main reason feline cancer is more of a problem with older cats. The following are some of the feline cancers that can occur in cats:
- Fibrosarcome (Bone cancer)
- Gastrointestinal Neoplasia
- Hepatic Neoplasia (liver tumors)
- Injection-Site Sarcoma (this is a vaccine associated sarcoma)
- Leukemia
- Lymphosarcoma (Lymphoma)
- Malignant Melanoma
- Mammary Gland Tumors
- Ovarian Tumors
- Pancreatic Exocrine Neoplasma (pancreas cancer)
- Pulmonary Neoplasia (lung cancer and tumors)
- Uterine Tumors
- Renal Neoplasia (Kidney)
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The most prevalent feline cancers found in cats are lymphosarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and mammary (breast) cancer.
Lymphsarcoma occurs in lymphoid tissue found in any organ. There are various forms found in the chest, digestive system, lymph nodes, and the bloodstream. It can also be found in many other organs. These areas would be kidneys, eyes, nervous system, skin, and nasal cavity).
The good news is that once it is determined that your cat has cancer a regiment of chemotherapy can be prescribed and it has been reported that lymphosarcoma is in many cases responsive to treatment.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the culprit for many feline skin tumors. These can be found in the areas that are relatively hairless such as, eyelids, ears and the area of the nose. Treatments range from chemo to radiation and in many cases the tumor is surgically removed. Sometimes your Vet may treat the tumor by intralesional chemotherapy, which consists of injecting the chemo drug directly into the tumor. It is unfortunate, but many times this cancer goes undetected until it becomes a real problem and can be very obviously detected by merely taking note of your cat’s appearance. There may be swelling or you may actually be able to see the tumor on your cat.
Feline cancer of the mammary is found mostly in older cats. While it does occasionally occur in male cats this is primarily a cancer found in older female cats. It is speculated that approximately 80% of mammary tumors are malignant requiring surgery and the appropriate treatments.
It is in most cases, it is difficult to determine your cat has cancer until the symptoms are so severe that there is no recourse. In these cases your vet can either put the animal down to put it out of its misery or help the pet owner to make his or her animal as happy and comfortable as possible until its passing.
Paying attention to you cat’s general health is really the only preventative for cancer. Keeping your animal away from chemicals, anything with radiation, and a good diet will assist as preventative measures. Of course get your cat checked by your Vet with a yearly physical. If you have any questions contact your Vet and they will help you to determine if your cat has
feline cancer by administering the appropriate tests.