Question: How can I tell if my cat has cancer? I see lots of articles about canine cancer, but what about feline cancer. Do you see cancer in cats? It would be difficult to tell if my cat were sick or not. He eats small amounts everyday and when I scoop the litter box, everything seems OK. What should I look for?
Answer: These are all great questions and, yes, cats do get cancer. Sometimes it is more difficult to notice symptoms in cats than in dogs. Some of the things you mention, like your cat’s eating habits and litter box habits, are important indicators of a cat’s health.
For example, cats should not have diarrhea. Unlike dogs, who can occasionally have soft stool or diarrhea due to something that they ate, cats should have well formed stool in the litter box and should rarely have diarrhea. If a cat has abnormal stool it should be investigated. Gastrointestinal lymphosarcoma is a common cancer that we see in our feline patients and sometimes the first symptom of this cancer is diarrhea.
Also, keeping a close eye on changes in your cat’s eating habits is important. The majority of cats have eating habits that are similar to your cat’s habits. They eat frequent small meals throughout the day. Some cats eat large meals twice a day, and some cats prefer to eat once daily. Any changes in your cat’s eating habits need to be addressed.
Another common cancer that we see in feline patients is oral squamous cell carcinoma. This is a tumor that starts in the mouth. It can grow under the tongue or along the gum line. It can be difficult to get a good look inside your cat’s mouth on a routine basis so this tumor may not be seen immediately. Sometimes the first sign of this cancer is a decreased appetite, chewing on one side, or weight loss.
It is extremely important for cats to have routine physical examinations with their primary care veterinarian. A wellness exam consists of a thorough physical examination with an oral exam and abdominal palpation. Also, the weight can be monitored to be sure it is stable. Since most cats are 8-10 pounds, a loss of only one-half a pound is significant. This may be difficult to notice when you are viewing your cat on a daily basis.
And, when a cat is sick, they tend to withdraw from the normal routines of the household. They may hide under a bed or in a closet rather than sitting in a sunny window. With routine wellness exams and daily observations of your cat?s habits and routines, any medical conditions should be able to be diagnosed early — which is the key to a good outcome!
Dr. Correa
Board Certified in Oncology
Animal Cancer Care Clinic
www.AnimalCancerCareClinic.com
Read more articles by Dr. Correa
Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/01/25/cancer-symptoms-difficult-to-notice-in-cats/
No comments:
Post a Comment