Cancer in Cats: Signs To Look Out For

While cancer in cats is less common than in dogs, it often presents itself in more aggressive forms. Additionally, because cats are notoriously good at hiding signs of pain and disease, cancers in cats are often detected fairly late, which is why it is the leading cause of death among cats. 

Early diagnosis and intervention can greatly improve the quality of life of a cat with cancer, and may also increase their time on earth. However, the key to early diagnosis is consulting your local vet like vets in Brunswick as soon as you detect a symptom, however minor. Part of this involves being attuned to your cat’s normal and immediately being able to detect when your cat is acting out of the ordinary, which requires a deep connection with your pet.

Here are a few signs to be on the lookout for if you suspect your cat may have cancer:

Healthy cats don’t smell. Cats are terrific at keeping themselves clean, but infections, oral tumours, unhealed sores can all cause a cat to emit a foul odour which is often difficult to miss. Bleeding from gums, change in gum colour, loss of teeth, drooling, difficulty chewing are all symptoms of oral cancer. Additionally, if your cat refuses to eat, or suddenly starts preferring soft over dry food, they could be having difficulty eating or swallowing and should immediately be checked by a vet.

If your cat is losing or gaining weight even though its appetite is unchanged, it is time to see a vet. Both unexplained weight gain and loss in a short period of time can be a sign of a gastrointestinal tumour. Bloating, a sudden spike in appetite or loss of appetite are all signs your cat needs help.

When petting your cat, be on the lookout for any lumps, bumps or swellings. If the lump is benign, which means it will not spread to other parts of the body, a simple surgery to remove the lump of cells is all that will be necessary. On the other hand, for malignant tumours (also known as cancer), the multiplying cells often invade normal, healthy tissue and may spread to organs, shutting them down. Treating malignant tumours can be both costly and difficult if they have spread too much, which is why early diagnosis is essential.

A rough texture, dullness and hair loss may also occur in cats with cancer.

A cat with gastrointestinal cancer will find it difficult to swallow and digest food, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. While occasional diarrhea and vomiting aren’t signs of cancer, persistent diarrhea and vomiting are. Similarly, if a cat is experiencing difficulty in urinating or defecating, or is secreting blood in urine or stool, it should immediately be taken to a vet to rule out cancer.

While an occasional seizure may not be life-threatening, it always warrants a vet visit. Sudden twitching of limbs, foaming at the mouth, uncontrolled burst of activity or more atypical symptoms like sudden rage or hysteria, excessive licking or chewing, biting their owner, and generally strange behaviours are all signs of a brain tumour affecting a cat’s normal behaviour.

All types of cancer are categorised based on the type of cell they originate from. The most common forms of cancer found in cats include:

If you live in or near Brunswick and are concerned that your pet may have cancer, immediately schedule an appointment with your local vet at the vet clinic in Brunswick.

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