| For cat owners, there's nothing more terrifying and | | | | However, even though the warning signs of cancer |
| distressing than to find out that your beloved feline | | | | will differ with each type of the disease, there are |
| companion has developed a malignant tumor or | | | | certain symptoms that are common to various forms |
| tumors. In order to give your cat the best chance to | | | | of cancer. These warning signs include weight loss |
| survive a case of feline cancer, it's important to seek | | | | and loss of appetite, abnormal and firm swelling, a |
| treatment as soon as possible. Also, having a basic | | | | lack of interest in daily activities, trouble with eating, |
| understanding of cat cancer and the steps involved in | | | | an offensive odor, and unusual stiffness or lameness. |
| fighting the disease can help make the process of | | | | Diagnosis |
| diagnosis and treatment less confusing and | | | | A diagnosis of cat cancer will be reached through an |
| overwhelming. | | | | evaluation of symptoms and clinical signs as well as |
| What is Cancer? | | | | the results of various diagnostic procedures. Since |
| Cancer involves the unregulated proliferation of cells | | | | there are so many different types of feline cancer, |
| resulting in the formation malignant tumors. This type | | | | there are a number of diagnostic tools and tests that |
| of uncontrolled growth occurs when gene mutations | | | | may be necessary to confirm and identify a particular |
| are caused by damaged DNA. Typically, any damaged | | | | case of this disease. Certain tools and tests that may |
| cells would be destroyed by the animal's immune | | | | be employed include blood tests, biopsies, x-rays, and |
| system; however, cancerous cells are able to avoid | | | | CT scans. Once the presence of a particular form of |
| destruction by the immune system and, therefore, | | | | cat cancer has been confirmed, the veterinarian will |
| continue to grow in their unregulated manner. These | | | | also need to evaluate the stage of the disease in |
| cells then form a mass known as a tumor, which can | | | | order to implement an appropriate treatment plan. |
| either be benign or malignant. Malignant tumors are | | | | Treatment |
| the cancerous ones, and they can be very | | | | When a cat has been diagnosed as having cancer, |
| aggressive and dangerous. | | | | the necessary treatment plan will depend on a |
| Types of Cat Cancer | | | | number of different factors, including the type of |
| There are so many different types of cat cancer | | | | cancer present and the stage of the disease. |
| that it's not possible to discuss all of them here. | | | | Examples of treatment methods frequently used for |
| Cancer can originate in and affect almost all parts of | | | | various forms of cat cancer include surgery, |
| the feline body; however, there are certain types of | | | | chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. |
| cat cancer that are more common than others. | | | | Immunotherapy is part of a holistic health approach |
| These include bladder cancer as well as various | | | | to treatment and is often used in conjunction with |
| abdominal cancers which can affect the kidneys, | | | | other treatments. This particular form of therapy |
| intestines, spleen, and liver. Feline leukemia and | | | | involves using a variety of natural supplements to |
| malignant skin tumors also affect cats quite | | | | boost the cat's immune system in order to provide |
| frequently. | | | | the animal with a greater ability to fight the cancer as |
| Causes | | | | well as to withstand other forms of treatment such |
| In most cases, it's impossible to identify one or more | | | | as chemotherapy. In some cases, treatment for cat |
| particular causes of cancer in a feline patient. The | | | | cancer will successfully eradicate the disease but, |
| potential causes and triggers of this disease are | | | | unfortunately, in other cases treatment will only |
| numerous and encompass both genetic and | | | | serve to slow the progress of the cancer. |
| environmental factors. For example, hereditary | | | | Prevention |
| defects and toxic chemicals can both play a role in | | | | Since the potential contributing factors with respect |
| the development of cat cancer. Radiation and viruses | | | | to the development of cat cancer are so numerous, |
| such as the Feline Leukemia Virus are also known to | | | | it can be difficult and even impossible to predict and |
| increase a cat's risk of developing cancer. With so | | | | prevent cancer in many cases. Yet, there are certain |
| many potential triggers and contributing factors, the | | | | steps that pet owners can take to help lower the |
| cause of feline cancer in a particular cat will often | | | | chances of their feline friends developing this terrible |
| remain unknown. | | | | disease. Often, a holistic health care approach is very |
| Common Symptoms | | | | beneficial in this regard. By promoting and protecting |
| Since there are so many different forms of cat | | | | your cat's overall health with a good diet, a healthy |
| cancer, the type of the disease that is affecting a | | | | living environment, and natural supplements, you will |
| particular cat will determine the type of symptoms | | | | be boosting the strength and function of your pet's |
| and warning signs exhibited. For example, excessive | | | | immune system. As a result, your feline companion |
| drooling and trouble with eating could be signs of | | | | will have a stronger defense against cancer and all |
| mouth cancer while stiffness and difficulty with | | | | other feline medical problems and will be more likely |
| movement could be symptoms of bone cancer. | | | | to live a long and healthy life. |