10 Signs of Cancer in Cats You Shouldn't Miss

The cat is constantly hiding

Cats love a good hiding place, but if you notice that your pet is spending more time under the bed or in hard-to-reach places, there may be something wrong with him. “Owners often tell me that they notice when their cat is sick. If animals are social but spend more time looking for new hiding places or stop coming out during feeding time, then you should be wary,” says Jake Seidel, founder of . The veterinarian runs an animal hospital in upstate New York and is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“A cat hiding too often is a common sign that something is wrong with it, but it may not necessarily indicate cancer. Therefore, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea, says the specialist. “Know that your pet is trying to secretly tell you something.”

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Weight loss

Weight loss is a very clear symptom of cancer in a cat. Dr. Seidel says this sign is evidence of a gastrointestinal tumor.

“When cats are offered food during feeding hours but turn away from the bowl or refuse food, this should not go unnoticed,” he says. “Cancer can also cause a cat to lose weight but still retain her appetite. If you notice your cat is losing weight, it's time to make an appointment with your veterinarian."

Varieties and clinical symptoms

Lipoma or wen

If a round tumor has formed in the lower abdomen or groin of a pet, this may signal the development of this disease. This type of wen in a cat is an encapsulated tumor of a benign nature, which can be oval or round in shape. The bubble on the belly has a soft consistency and does not cause pain to the cat. But still, you should not delay treatment, especially if the cat’s lipoma oozes or other unpleasant symptoms occur that cause anxiety to the animal. Round formation can be achieved through surgery or conservative therapy.

Hernia: is there a danger?

An umbilical hernia causes the animal to experience pain.
If a swelling or lump appears in the cat's abdomen, you should consult a veterinarian, as this could be a hernial protrusion. The problem is the prolapse of internal organs in the groin area, in the navel or perineum area. Veterinarians advise owners to carefully monitor the health of cats that have recently had surgery on or near the abdomen, as there is a high risk of a hernia developing in the postoperative period. When the pathology is advanced, the following symptoms are recorded in the cat:

• pain syndrome;
• impaired blood flow or its complete blockage;
• infringement of an internal organ, which affects its function.

What is lymphadenitis?

Multiple lumps or one large lump on a cat’s abdomen can occur as a result of an inflammatory reaction of the inguinal lymph node. Pathogenic microorganisms that cause disorders of the genitourinary system can affect the deviation. A tumor on the abdomen manifests itself with the following clinical picture:

Usually such nodules look oblong.

• oblong-shaped growth;
• motionless state of the cat;
• red and hot skin over the affected area;
• pain that increases with palpation of the abdomen.

Veterinarians focus the attention of owners on the fact that the symptoms of lymphadenitis may resemble the manifestation of oncology, therefore, to exclude cancer, it is worth undergoing a comprehensive examination as soon as possible.

Dermatological diseases

Small dots at the bottom or in other areas of the abdomen are a consequence of the development of skin diseases. Some pets develop a large bruise that bleeds and festers, while other cats may experience multiple small rashes that do not cause much discomfort. The table shows the main dermatological disorders that cause a cat to develop a tumor in the abdominal area:

Cysts and other neoplasms of the mammary glands

The oncological formation looks like a lump, hard to the touch.
When a cat develops a tumor on its abdomen, this may indicate a cystic formation. In most cases, the cyst does not pose a threat to the health of the animal and is removed surgically. But often a kitten or adult develops a tumor in the abdominal area, signaling mammary gland cancer. Mature cats are at risk. The disease can be recognized by a dense lump localized near the nipples. In rare cases, formations are multiple. The larger the tumor, the less likely the animal is to survive. Breast cancer in cats is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• hard lump, hot to the touch;
• rapid growth and spread to neighboring organs;
• mobile tumor;
• redness of the skin at the site of the lesion;
• in later pores, blood is released.

Owners should not give up when a cat is diagnosed with cancer, since in the early stages the tumor can be successfully treated and there is a high probability of a complete recovery.

Signs of mastitis

With this pathology, the glands of the animal turn red and harden.
This tumor is characteristic only of cats and is a consequence of early weaning of the kitten from its nursing mother. In such cases, stagnant processes occur due to the abundant accumulation of milk. When a violation occurs, the following symptoms occur:

• severe pain syndrome;
• heat;
• loss of appetite;
• sleep problems;
• rapid exhaustion of the body;
• redness in the abdomen and chest;
• hard and hot nipples;
• increase in tumor upon palpation;
• purulent impurities in milk.

Features of fibrosarcoma

A tumor and hematoma in a cat’s abdomen is a consequence of such a neoplasm, in which the chances of cure and a positive outcome are quite high. The growth consists of fibroblasts of the epidermis and connective tissue. It differs from other malignant neoplasms in its slow growth, making therapy easier. Some animals with cancer do not show any signs for a long time and the pet feels well. But sometimes owners note that the cat’s tumor has opened or its size has increased in just a few months. Oncology can appear not only on the abdomen, but also on other areas of the body.

Oral lesions

Ulcers, growths, bleeding gums or changes in their color can be a sign of cancer in a cat, especially in an adult. These signs in cats often go undetected for too long. “We usually detect visible oral tumors too late because people don't look at their pet's mouth,” Seidel says. “Many oral growths can be really devastating because people don’t notice them until they are large.” Your veterinarian also suggests brushing your pet's teeth on a regular basis.

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"It's good to observe when your pet yawns or eats," advises Timothy Rocha, DVM, an oncology specialist in New York City.

The cat has diarrhea

"In some cases, stomach upset is not a sign of cancer in the animal," says Dr. Rocha. "But if it persists or gets worse, take your cat to the vet." According to the specialist, excessive use of a box with sand by a cat, difficulty urinating, and the presence of blood in the urine or feces are potential signs of cancer.

“Don’t ignore vomiting. A simple urge and an upset stomach are also signs of a tumor,” says Dr. Seidel.

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About malignant tumors

As a malignant neoplasm develops, it releases toxins into the animal’s body, and later ulcers appear that become infected. The cat becomes lethargic, apathetic, loses appetite, weight, and anemia develops.

A malignant neoplasm develops from cells of a certain tissue and, depending on this, experts gave names to the types of tumors:

• Carcinoma grows from epithelial cells. This may be cancer of the skin, breast or lungs, rectum;
• Sarcomas grow from connective tissues. They occur in any organ where connective tissue exists;
• Osteosarcoma or osteogenic sarcoma is built on bone tissue. Most often, such neoplasms occur on the animal’s paws;
• Leukemia occurs from cells located in the bone marrow.

According to statistics, cancer most often affects older animals 10.5-12 years old. Neoplasms are often found on the skin, mammary glands of cats, on mucous membranes, in internal organs, on cartilage and bones.

Presence of seizures

“Seizures can be a sign of a brain tumor in cats, which is most common in older cats,” says Dr. Seidel. “If you begin to notice sudden and uncontrollable bursts of activity, such as chopping and chewing food, leg twitching, or foaming at the mouth, you should visit your veterinarian immediately.”

Cats may also suffer from atypical seizures, which are classic seizures and manifest as bouts of strange behavior such as sudden rage or hysteria, excessive licking, chewing or scratching, and biting their owner.

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Necessary treatment

Therapy is selected individually for each cat and depends on the type of tumor, its severity, general condition and age of the pet. Drug therapy alone is rarely effective and is used only for some mild dermatological problems. If a cat has a benign growth on its stomach, it is removed surgically. When oncology is diagnosed, chemotherapy or radioactive irradiation is performed before surgery, which suppresses the activity of cancer cells and reduces the size of the tumor in the abdominal area. When the cancer is advanced, it cannot be treated and owners are advised to euthanize the cat to prevent its painful death.

Skin changes

“Every sign of skin change should be checked,” says Dr. Seidel. “It can be benign or malignant, but it is always easier to treat in the early stages. If you notice something, do not delay in visiting your veterinarian, as there is no way to distinguish the nature of the tumor without taking a special sample. Also pay attention to any wounds that do not heal, itch and constantly hurt.”