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