Cancer Signs

Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


Q.
What are signs of cancer in cats?
A.
According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, the 10 most common signs of cancer in cats are:
Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.
Sores that do not heal.
Weight loss.
Loss of appetite.
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.
Offensive odor.
Difficulty eating or swallowing.
Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.
Persistent lameness or stiffness.
Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating.
These signs can also be present in many other diseases; they do not necessarily mean your cat has cancer. Any cat showing any of the above signs should be examined by a veterinarian.

article by http://www.peteducation.com/

Squamous Cell Tumors

Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


Squamous cell carcinoma is a fairly common tumor found in cats and dogs. It is usually associated with tumors in the mouth, nasal area, skin, and ears. There can be a strong correlation between exposure to the sun and an increase in incidence of this cancer. Diagnosis and treatment are similar regardless of the location or species.
Cats that spend time outdoors in the direct sunlight are at an increased risk of developing a squamous cell tumor on their ear. Cats with thin, light colored hair on their ears are at the greatest risk. While sun induced damage is one of the biggest causes of this cancer, it should be noted that the tumor will also develop in indoor cats and in locations like the inner ear or mouth where sunlight does not penetrate.
Diagnosis is usually confirmed by a biopsy. Surgical removal of the tumor and the surrounding tissue is usually the treatment of choice. These tumors may be locally aggressive but are usually slow to metastasize and are often eliminated with surgery. Prevention of reoccurrence consists of limiting the time that susceptible animals spend out in the sun. When thin-coated or sensitive animals do spend time outdoors during the prime daylight hours, a waterproof SPF 15 or greater sun block should be used on the ears and nose area.
References and Further Reading
Ettinger, S; Feldman, E. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 2000.
Greene, C. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 1998.


article by http://www.peteducation.com/