Twelve Warning Signs Of Feline Cancer Every Cat Owner Should Know
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Let's face it, the thought of your sweet kitty friend ever developing feline cancer is terrible. Cancer in cats used to be a death sentence, but with recent advances in veterinary medicine, it may be possible for your cat to be with you for several more years.
The best way to protect your feline friend from this disease is to be knowledgeable about feline cancer symptoms.
Twelve Symptoms Of Feline Cancer
1. Losing weight, even though your kitty seems to be eating the same amount as ever.
2. Unusual lumps or swellings anywhere on your cat's body, especially if they're getting larger, or changing shape.
3. Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom of feline lymphoma. The lymph nodes behind the knees and under the jaws are easiest for cat owners to find.
4. Problems with eating or swallowing. Your feline companion may suffer from loss of appetite, too.
5. A strange discharge or unexplained bleeding from the gums, mouth, nose, penis, or vagina, or any other body orifice.
6. Chronic digestive problems, including vomiting or diarrhea.
7. Trouble breathing. Your kitty may also have a persistent, dry, non-productive cough, which can be a symptom of lung cancer.
8. Bad breath may indicate oral cancer, although it's also a symptom of a sinus infection, too.
9. Straining to urinate or defecate.
10. Loss of stamina and general tiredness. Some pet owners mistakely think their pet is just getting older.
11. A sudden change in temperament, especially if your kitty suddenly gets grouchy and wants to be left alone. He may be in pain.
12. Your formerly friendly companion suddenly hides himself away. This is a survival mechanism among wild felines. A sick cat will hide from predators until it recovers.
Check Your Kitty Often For Lumps
We all enjoy petting and stroking our feline companions. While you're at it, take the time to check for suspicious lumps on his back, legs, mouth, and under his neck. If you have a girl kitty, watch for lumps on her belly, which could be a symptom of feline breast cancer.
If you should find a lump, make note of the following:
- If it's soft or hard
- Where it's located
- If your kitty is uncomfortable when you touch it
- How it looks and smells. Does it have a bad odor? It is ulcerated, or oozing, or bleeding?
Any lump should be examined by your vet. Benign tumors in cats usually grow slowly and have well-defined edges, while malignant ones grow faster, and may cause bleeding or be painful for your pet.
Nobody likes the thought of their kitty ever getting cancer, but ignoring the situation won't help. The best way you can protect your feline companion from this disease is by knowing the symptoms. Treatment is more effective when cancer in cats is caught early.
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Thanks for the article. I have five indoor/outdoor cats and 5 outdoor strays that I take care of. This is good to know.
Thank you. Quite informative.
Just a few days ago I lost my "MAX" to lung cancer. I had absolutely no idea he had this condition until 15 days before his death. I am truly broken hearted...just lost without him. I loved him so.
I know what you are going through. I lost my Bo to a tumour in his back. The vet said it is one of the rarest I have a lot of guilt. He was 13.5 years old. I don't know if I could have done more for him. I will never know if I had acted quicker if I could have had him for longer. I was in denial that anything could hurt my strong, handsome Bo. Im lost without him.
I lost my beloved cat, Tippy, to chronic renal failure when she was 11.5 years old. Five months before she died my husband discovered a "ping pong" sized lump on her left hip. It seemed to have appeared overnight. I took her to the vet the next day and when the vet aspirated it, this yellow fluid came out. She called me two days later and told me my cat had spindle cell sarcoma. It was the chronic renal failure that took her life five months later. I still miss her and she has been gone for almost four years.
I have just lost my beautiful Kitty this morning, she had cancer, all her organs were shutting down and nothing could be done for her, there was no warning, for two days she seemed disorientated and spaced out. I feel devastated, she changed me into a cat lover, I am going to miss her soo much.
My shadow has a lump on the side of her mouth/jaw...she is 11 years 3 months old. She starting behaving different around December 20th. Brought her to the Vet January 20th and they put her on antibiotics for 10 days (all her blood tests were fine and no lump yet), the medication did nothing and her left eye started leaking clear. brought her back just this tuesday and they gave her more antibiotics, srtonger this time and pain killers to see if the swelling goes down to clean her teeth and pull out one or 2 as it might be an abscess, but if the swelling does not go down, then it's cancer and her chance of survival, even wirh operation is 5% less. Just today I noticed the leaking eye is now getting worse, as when I turn on the light, her Iris gets extremely small. the other eye don't do that. I think she I going blind in that eye....I feel so bad as I love my shadow, she is my best friend and I'm in so much pain right now, as I have to make a BiG decision by next Wednesday..
My kitty has been diagnosed with mammary cancer with too many internal tumours to treat. She was given 2-3months last July but is still going strong.She has 1 large external tumour that ulcerated and got quite nasty but with some washing and antibiotic gel this cleared up. The wound doesn't seem to bother her -she is still running around like a loony and is not yet showing any other symptoms. My vet has been very helpful and has recommended Manuka honey for the tumour which is helping to keep it clean-along with gently washing the area in boiled salt water. I'm lucky to be able to treat her myself because she is very placid and just enjoys the fuss while I'm cleaning her and putting on a variety of home-made dressings. When she starts showing any changes in behaviour or other symptoms I will be taking her back to the vet for what unfortunately is inevitable but in the meantime we are just making the most of the time left. I have read some sites that say once the tumour has ulcerated and it gets smelly cats are often put to sleep. The smell was pretty bad but it didn't seem to be distressing for her so I decided to try and treat it first which I'm glad I did.
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Guru-C 2 years ago
My sweet kittie was just operated for a small tumor in her nose this past December. It was diagnosed as a spindle cell sarcoma, a cancer that may not spread but is prone to re-occur. I asked my veterinarian what would be a sign and she said sneezing and nasal discharge. So that is one more thing to look out for. I am taking her to an oncologist this week to see what else can be done to keep her healthy. Best of luck to all of you!