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