Definition:
Cancer in cats is the leading cause of death on old cats, accounting to more than 50% of deaths yearly. It occurs in any organ of the body, some growing very slowly, while other progress extremely fast.
Diagnosis:
Definitive diagnosis is important to remove possible conditions that could cause similar symptoms. This diagnosis could also determine the type of cancer, severity and behavior, which are important factors in determining appropriate treatment.
Treatment:
Treatments of feline cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, palliative radiation therapy and other anti-cancer drugs, which is based largely on the type of cancer being treated. Euthanasia is also used when cats are severely affected by the cancer.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of cancer in cats include weight loss, bleeding and discharge from any body opening, loss of appetite, persistent abnormal swellings, offensive odor, sores that don’t heal, loss of stamina, stiffness and lameness, swallowing difficulty and problems urinating, defecating and breathing.
Causes:
Cancer in cats is caused by a multitude of factors, depending on the type of cancer.
