Cancer tumors affecting cats (Feline Cancer).

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In order to increase my knowledge in the field of animal/pet health, I watch a particular channel where pets are often brought for complex cases of treatment (i.e), any time I have spare time on my hands. This week, the doctor was treating the case of a cat who had a tumor.

According to the cat owner, this sudden lump started to grow in the cat about three years ago, when she noticed it, she took her to the vet who had the fluid drain out but after about one year, she noticed the abnormal growth again, and this time, it has become really big and hard, that people were really scared of touching the cat. I will be writing on the case of cancer in cat in this article, I hope that you learn a thing or two after reading.


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Cancer is a general term used for the description of a disease caused by a tumor, this is a collection if abnormal cells within the body, these abnormal cells continue to grow and divide without any form of control, leading to the development of masses (lumps/growth), the lumps/growths are mainly made of abnormal dividing cells. Not all tumors spread to other parts of the body, some tumors do not spread to other body parts and they do not invade surrounding tissues, these tumors are called Benign tumors.

On the other hand, the tumors that invade surrounding normal/healthy tissues and have the ability to spread to other body sites, they typically spread through blood stream or lymphatic system. This described tumor type is called Malignant tumors. Due to the invasive and aggressive nature of malignant cancer, it causes a more serious and extensive disease that are more difficult to treat.

The most common reported case of cancer usually affects the skin, the white blood cell, the mouth, the stomach, the intestines, and the mammary glands.

Types of cancer.

Just before we extensively go into the details on how cancer affect cat, lets check out the different existing cancer types. There are different types of cancer, these existing cancers are categorized based on the origin of the nature of abnormal cell contained.

Carcinomas and sarcomas as cancer forms are solid tumors type of cancer, arising from different tissues.

Leukaemia are cancers affecting the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced, often creating great numbers of abnormal cells appear in the bloodstream.

Lymphoma is a solid cancer caused as a result of the growth of abnormal lymphocytes. Lymphocytes is a type of white blood cell that can as well be found in tissues, it is also a part of the immune system.

Just like there is with humans, cancer in cats is also a leading cause of death amongst these lovely pets, especially the older ones. If these case of uncontrolled growth known as cancer is not found and arrested early enough, it would expand and connect with the circulatory or the lymph systems, it can also spread and infect other existing tissues in the body. Even if the major cause of cancer in cats is unknown, just like the case of cancer in humans, lot's of expert consider feline leukemia virus to be a major contribution to the existing types of cancer in cats. Asides from the virus, other factors that could increase the rate of cancer in cats include; environmental toxins,and second hand smoke.

There are different and several types of feline cancer, these are a few types of existing feline cancer that we need to know for basic knowledge.


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Myeloproliferative tumors: These are genetic tumors that can be passed down through reproduction, the tumor affects the blood and bone marrow.

Osteosarcoma tumors: This tumor affects the bons, lungs and joint, the tumor gives room for swelling, lameness, coughing and difficulty with breathing.

Ceruminous Adenomas: These tumors are small in size, they could either be brown, black or dark blue in color, and they are often located in the external ear canal.

Fibrosarcoma tumors: This type of tumor occurs in the fibrous tissue which is found directly beneath the cat's skin, they could come in form of a solid, irregular mass underneath the skin.

Mast cell tumors:This tumor type appears as skin nodules that are ulcerated or are pigmented, these tumors can exit anywhere on the cats body, and it has to be biopsied in order for it to get diagnosed.

Lymphoma- Lymphosarcoma(LSA): This type of cancer is common amongst cats that have feline leukemia virus infection, this cancer affects the intestines as well as other lymphatic tissues existing in the abdominal area.

Melanoma tumors: This type of tumor are not very common in cats but they exist regardless, they are found around the had, ear, neck and even shoulders, this cancer type is mostly benign and they form a type of solid lump underneath the skin.

The clinical signs of cancer that cats exhibits are diverse, there is no specific sign that practically suggests the presence of the disease in the cat, it is best to report any strange noticed symptom to the vet instantly. Cancer generally affects older cats more than younger ones and it may take time before the suspected clinical signs begin to show. Regardless, some of the displayed symptoms are;

  • Lack of appetite.
  • Absence of energy.
  • Weight loss.
  • Lump underneath the skin.
  • Changes in eye color.
  • Diarrhoea.
  • Vomitting.
  • Unexplained bleeding.
  • Injuries that fail to heal.

Conclusion.

Never make the mistake of trying to diagnose pets on your own, cats often know how to hide things until last minute, it may either be something simple or complex, but only a proper test will be able to ascertain that.

References.

petmd.com

7hillsvet.com

icatcare.org

pets.webmd.com

ahofstatesville.com

vin.com

petplan.co.uk/



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