Cancer in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Have you been diagnosed with cancer in cats lately? It’s shattering for the pet parents when they find that their furry friend is diagnosed with cancer. The sad fact about the chronic disease that mostly affects cats is cancer. Just like the way humans pass out every year due to cancer, cats also suffer from fatal diseases like cancer.

Although we are still not sure about the precise cause of cancer in felines, the feline leukemia virus is one of the key contributors. However, there are various treatment options to cure cancer in felines when detected in the early stages. Early diagnosis aids you and the vet in giving the best treatment and a great quality of life for quite some time. 

Wondering what causes Cancer in Cats? Can I detect cancer in felines in the initial stage? Here’s a rundown of the most common types of feline cancers, their symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, prevention, and more.

What Is Cancer In Cats?

Cancer, also known as tumor is an unrestrained growth of cells that results in a lump. These lumps increase in number leading to the disruption of organs in the body. As a result, the affected organs may not function properly and when this condition worsens, it leads to a serious condition. 

This is what cancer is and that happens when a cat is affected by cancer. Two types of tumors may affect cats such as benign and malignant tumors. Benign tumors are initially formed in the body of the cat but these tumors aren’t cancerous. Benign tumors can be treated depending on their location formed in the body of the cat. 

On the other hand, malignant tumors are cancerous. These tumors are easily spreadable throughout the body enhancing the risk of death in felines. Malignant tumors are chronic and are extremely arduous to treat. Learn all the things to look for and how to detect cancer in cats early through this in-depth guide.

Types of Cancer in Feline

It’s a shocking fact that cats are susceptible to suffering from a variety of cancers just like humans. Compared to dogs, cancer in cats is less common. However, even if the cancer rate is lower in felines, it tends to occur in vigorous form. The most common types of cancer in cats include the following:

1. Feline Lymphoma Cancer

Feline Lymphoma Cancer is the most common cancer that affects felines, especially in older cats. Lymphoma cancer majorly occurs in the small intestines of the cat. Feline Lymphoma Cancer is caused due to the feline leukemia virus [FeLV] and feline immunodeficiency virus [FIV]. 

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells namely lymphocytes and lymphoid tissues located in different places of the body. Lymphoid tissues are usually located in the liver, bone marrow, lymph nodes, etc.

Cats of any age, gender, and breed may be affected by Feline Lymphoma. Another major area of the body where Feline Lymphoma Cancer attacks is the gastrointestinal tract. 

2. Feline Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

Soft-tissue sarcoma is another type of cancer that affects the muscle tissues, nervous tissues, and other connective tissues in cats. Other body parts that are affected by this cancer type include the skin, fat, and small blood vessels beneath the skin. 

Soft-tissue sarcomas in cats include Liposarcoma, Fibrosarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, Nerve Sheath Tumor, Undifferentiated Sarcoma, and Vaccine-associated Sarcoma. These tumors may also appear on some other parts of the body such as the back, legs, side, chest, and facial tissues of the cat.

When cats are affected by this type of cancer, it can be seen in the form of skin masses or lumps. However, these lumps don’t cause pain in cats. We can witness progression in this type of cancer from weeks to months.

3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinomas are the most harmful tumors that occur in different areas of the body. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is also known as skin cancer. However, the most commonly seen location of this cancer is the mouth. 

Squamous Cell Carcinoma tumors develop rapidly. Hence, detecting these tumors in the early stages is highly important to prevent further spreading. Unless and until, you detect these tumors in the cat’s body early, it’s highly difficult to remove them. 

If this cancer type is detected early, the vet may recommend giving oral medication to the cats. Usually, the veterinarian may recommend the pet owners bring the cat for medical examinations every 6 months when their age is between 8 and 10 years.

4. Mammary Carcinoma

Mammary Carcinoma is also known as Breast Cancer which affects the mammary glands. This type of cancer starts as a small lump in the mammary gland of the feline. Mammary Carcinoma is another most common cancer type in cats. 

The maximum of mammary tumors in cats are malignant tumors that have the risk of spreading to the remaining parts of the body. If these tumors enter into the advanced stage, they may spread to the lungs, liver pleura, adrenal gland, kidneys, and lymph nodes. 

Usually, cats have two chains or mammary gland rows. In each chain, there will be four rows. We can find these chains along the length of a cat’s belly. As a result, tumors in cats may develop from the armpit to the groin. Hence, it is highly important to detect tumors in cats in the early stages. We may witness this type of cancer mostly in cats older than 10 years of age. 

Common Symptoms to Look For Cancer in Cats

Cats are forbearing creatures with an instinct to conceal their illnesses or pain. Unfortunately, this defensive instinct in them leads to the failure to detect cancer in the early stage in cats. By the time the pet owners notice the Signs of Cancer in Cats, leukemia in felines gets advanced. 

The symptoms of cancer will depend on the type of cancer affected by the cats. Each type of cancer has a bunch of different symptoms. Considering the symptoms of the cat, the veterinarian will determine the cancer type and then decide what kind of treatment is necessary. 

As felines are quite intelligent at hiding their pain or sickness, it is difficult to figure out the case until it gets into the advanced stage. If you can detect the early Symptoms of Cancer in Cats, there are higher chances of treating it and curing it successfully.

In some types of cancers, we can witness lumps and bumps on the body of the cat. In some other cancer types, the common symptoms can range from vomiting to difficulty breathing. In this article, we have furnished the complete list of symptoms of cancer in cats depending on the type of cancer. Check it out!

1. Lymphoma Symptoms

Go through the list of symptoms in cats when affected by Feline Lymphoma Cancer. 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight Loss
• Anorexia [Eating Disorder]
• Lethargy
• Growth of Mass in Abdomen
• Changes in Appetite

2. Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Symptoms

Here’s a compilation of the major symptoms that can be seen in cats when affected by Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Cancer.

• Vomiting
• Difficulty to urinate
• A Lump or Mass on the cat’s body that you can feel
• Lameness
• Loss of Appetite
• Mouth Bleeding
• Tumors in Mouth
• Swelling of Limbs
• Disability to Walk due to tumors
• Diarrhea
• Abdomen Pain
• Weight Loss

3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Symptoms

Let’s explore the list of symptoms when the cat is affected by Squamous Cell Carcinoma cancer. 

• Foul Odor from the mouth
• Weight Loss
• Poor Appetite
• Excess Drooling
• Inflamed or Red Gums
• Bloody Discharge
• Hair Loss
• Itchiness
• Nose Ulcers
• Tiny sores or scabs are seen on eyelids, lips, and eartips

4. Mammary Carcinoma Symptoms

The pet parents may observe the following Cat Cancer Symptoms when affected by Mammary Carcinoma i.e., breast cancer.

• Breast [Mammary Glands] Swelling
• Pain
• Uninterested to eat
• Infection in and around the breasts and mammary glands
• Fever
• Ulcers under the skin around the masses
• Milk Discharge from cat’s nipples 
• Unusual Weight Loss
• Weakness in Cats

Possible Cancer Risk Factors in Cats

There are copious risk factors that are likely to develop Lymphoma and other types of cancers in cats. In the case of Feline Lymphoma Cancer, the risk factors include exposure to people who are smoking, feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, genetics, diet, etc. 

Mostly, genetics in Siamese cats is the risk factor to cause lymphoma in them. There’s a greater risk of developing tumors in felines due to the effect of cancer. 

When cats are neutered after 1 year of age, there is a possibility of developing tumors. Compared to other breeds of cats, Siamese Cats are twice at risk for mammary carcinoma cancer. However, the key reason behind the Siamese cats being affected isn’t known.

What To Do If Your Cat Is Known To Have Cancer?

It’s very much agonizing to hear the news that your loving feline has cancer. Your emotional status might be devastating. But, the first and foremost thing you must do is not panic about this news. Once you are dubious that your cat is having cancer, take it to the vet immediately.

Make sure you get adequate support from your family members and friends and obviously, the veterinarian to give proper treatment to your cat. Design a proper medical plan like scheduling medical appointments, giving medications at the right timings, spending enough time with your pet, etc. 

Meanwhile, you need to fulfill your family responsibilities, handling office work, and other household duties. Seek out the assistance from the pet cancer specialist. After diagnosing the cancer type in your cat, the veterinarian will administer medications accordingly. 

If the condition is critical, the vet may suggest another form of treatment for the cancer-affected cat. If in case, you have witnessed a change in the behavior of your cat, you need to understand its situation and handle the pet accordingly. 

Diagnosing Cancer in Cats

Wondering how to diagnose cancer in cats? Sadly, you can’t tell that your cat is cancerous just by looking at it. Veterinarians depend on several advanced diagnostic tools to determine whether the cat is suffering from cancer or not. 

To understand the effects of the cancer on the cats, the vet will perform specific medical tests like blood samples, ultrasounds, etc. It is also necessary to ensure that no other disease is the cause of cancer symptoms in your cat.

The basic diagnostic procedures include medical examinations such as the following:

• Blood Work
• Ultrasounds
• MRI Scan
• Radiographs
• X-Rays
• Biopsy

The vet will perform aspiration on the tumors or masses under the skin of the cat. Using a needle, the vet will obtain the cells from the skin or in the internal organs. Otherwise, an evaluation of whole blood in cats is done to check whether the cat is having leukemia or not. A microscopic cell analysis [cytology] is performed on the cells.

By taking an MRI or ultrasound and X-rays, the vet will be able to identify the exact location of the tumor and how serious it is. Once the tumor spot has been identified, an experienced pathologist will perform a biopsy. 

By performing a biopsy, the pathologist will be able to inspect the microscopic tissues and figure out if the tumor is cancerous or not. A biopsy is performed on the cat after sedating it.

How Cancer Is Treated In Cats?

Once you’ve diagnosed cancer in cats, you need to take the cat to the vet. Necessary treatment must be given to the cat as prescribed by the veterinarian.

A plethora of treatment options are available to treat cancer in cats. However, each type of cancer has a different treatment option. If the feline cancer is malignant, surgery may be recommended to treat the cancer.

Some of the basic cancer types such as Lymphoma can be treated successfully with chemotherapy. Other fatal tumors in cats such as squamous cell carcinoma, mammary carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcomas require surgery associated with chemotherapy.

When you hear the term chemotherapy, you may be scared thinking about its extremities. But, chemotherapy treatment won’t be as extreme as it is we see in humans. During chemotherapy, injections are administered to cats. 

If in case, the feline experiences any sort of uneasiness with chemotherapy, the vet will immediately stop it. For some of the felines affected by cancer, the vet may suggest radiation therapy.

Lymphoma Cancer Treatment

Feline Lymphoma Cancer is one of the fatal diseases caused in cats. However, this cancer type can be treated with chemotherapy. But, to treat cats with lymphoma cancer, you need much patience and money. 

Chemotherapy for this type of cancer is time-consuming and expensive. When this sort of treatment is given to cats, there is proof that such cats lead a great quality of life further and during chemotherapy as well. 

Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment

Soft tissue sarcoma cancer is less dangerous compared to lymphoma. Hence, treating this type of cancer requires weeks to months. Radiation therapy and surgery to treat soft tissue sarcoma in cats have high success rates.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Through biopsy, the vet will confirm that the cat is suffering from squamous cell carcinoma. There are several treatment options to treat this tumor in cats. In the initial stages, the tumor can be removed through surgical procedures or using radiation therapy. 

But, if the cancer reaches an advanced stage then, the number of treatment options will be decreased. Though radiation therapy is still available as a treatment option, there’s no assurance that this therapy would completely remove the tumor or control its further development.

Mammary Carcinoma Treatment

Mammary Carcinoma is another common type of cancer that can be seen in cats. Mostly, we can witness this type of cancer in cats aged above 10 years. The treatment option for mammary carcinoma depends on whether the tumor has osmosed or not.

If in case the tumor has spread from mammary glands to other body organs then, the vet may suggest chemotherapy to treat the cancer. In case, the cancer is detected in early stages and if the tumor is still restricted to the mammary glands, the veterinarian will perform a mastectomy. 

Mastectomy is the removal of chains in mammary glands and the underlying tissues. Sometimes, the vet may remove one or both chains of mammary glands.

Managing Cancer in Cats

The quality of life is more important compared to the tips we follow to extend the life of an animal. Keeping that in mind, we must focus on treating the cancerous cat in the best way possible at home. Hence, you must spend so much time on making this process feasible. 

Mostly you must try to keep your cat as an outpatient instead of admitting them to the veterinary clinic and giving them treatment for feline cancer. Instead of staying at the hospital and stressing your cat and yourself, try to set up a calm room in your house for the pet. This way, you can try to handle cancer in cats.

Preventing Cats Cancer

There are several ways to reduce the risk of cancer in cats by following necessary preventive measures. It is highly important to incorporate certain practices at home to prevent the risk of cancer in cats. Here are some of the preventive steps that can be followed by the pet parents to avoid the risk of Cancer in felines. Read on!

• Providing a healthy and nutritious diet to your cat and indulging it in exercise frequently can help prevent cancer in cats. 
• Avoid your cat from second-hand smoking.
• Whenever you notice any sort of unusual symptoms or abnormal behavior in your cat, don’t hesitate to take them to the vet.
• Regular check-ups for your vet are essential to rule out the risk of leukemia in cats. Early detection of cancer in cats is easy to cure and helps in enhancing the quality of your feline companion’s life.
• If your cat is older, take the cat for a yearly appointment with the veterinarian and perform vital medical tests. By doing so, you can easily notice early signs of cancer in cats.
• Neutering or spaying cats can help prevent cancer risk in the felines, especially mammary carcinoma.
• Giving timely vaccinations to the cat reduces the likelihood of developing cancer.
• Before adopting a new pet, make sure the cat isn’t exposed to the feline leukemia virus. This way, you can prevent your cat from getting lymphoma cancer.

However, even after taking all the preventive measures to reduce the risk of cancer in cats, we don’t know what causes this disease in felines. Still, it is important to take the aforementioned measures for prevention. 

FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the types of cancer in cats, symptoms, and treatment of cancer in cats, prevention, and more. Check it out!

Conclusion

Early assessment and diagnosis of cancer in cats likely helps in improving the feline’s health for some extended period. Well, this is all you need to know about Cancer in cats. 

Hopefully, this article has helped you figure out the symptoms of cancer in cats, diagnosis procedures, treatment plans, prevention ways, and more. If you still have any queries about this topic, just drop them in the comments space. 

We try to provide apt answers to your queries as soon as possible. Till then, stay in touch with our website ‘TheCrazyCats.Net‘ for more related information about pets, pet food, pet health, chronic diseases, etc.