Do cats have moles? Features and methods of treating malignant tumors in cats

Owners should know what papillomas look like in cats, since the disorder is quite common. The provocateur of the disease is the papillomavirus, which actively multiplies when the cat’s immune system is weakened, there is a prolonged pathology, or while taking certain medications. Externally, the neoplasms resemble small moles and can be localized on the tail, neck, stomach, fingers, paws, ear and any other parts of the kitten’s body.

Veterinarians warn owners that as soon as a cat has a suspicious nevus, they should immediately contact a veterinary clinic, since some papillomas grow quickly and cause not only discomfort to the animal, but also a threat to health.

Reasons leading to the problem

The main source of the formation of papillomas in cats on the head, bridge of the nose, fingers, paws and other areas of the body is the papillomavirus. In every pet, like in humans, a similar pathogenic microorganism is constantly present, but in the latent phase. To activate the virus and its active reproduction, the influence of the following factors is required:

• Weak immunity. For this reason, papillomas on the nose or claw often form in kittens whose immune system is not yet fully functioning. Also at risk are sick animals, cats after giving birth and pets taking medications.
• Age-related changes in the body. Old cats often develop similar moles that need to be examined by a veterinarian.
• Heredity.
• Severe stress.
• Chronic infectious diseases.

Such growths on the animal’s body are benign.
In veterinary medicine, a similar disease is also known as papillomatosis, in which small formations of a benign nature are formed.
Under the influence of certain factors, papillomas in cats can degenerate into cancerous tumors, which pose a direct threat to the life of the animal. At risk of developing warts on the body are individuals living in large groups and without maintaining satisfactory sanitary and hygienic conditions. The virus is transmitted through contact of a healthy cat with a sick one, and infection is also possible through wounds on the skin. If a pregnant cat is infected with papillomavirus, then the disease is likely to be transmitted to kittens.

Probable locations of papillomas on the body

Characteristic symptoms of infectious papillomatosis are the occurrence of focal lesions on the mucous membranes of the mouth, the formation of pathogenic neoplasms on the outer surface of the tongue and lips. The disease is progressive and over time, papillomas can appear on the palate, pharyngeal mucosa, and nose.

At the initial phase of appearance, papules have a smooth structure. Over time, the number of lesions increases, uneven growth of the mucous membrane occurs, which provokes changes in the appearance and structure of papillomas. The number of papillomas gradually increases; in severe cases, they can cover the cheeks, gums, and can appear in the ears, on the paws, on the head, near the urethra, on the gastrointestinal tract, on the eyelids, and on the conjunctiva of infected animals.

What species are found?

In cats, papillomas differ not only in location, but also in origin and other indicators. The table shows the main types of warts in cats and their brief description:

Symptoms

Neoplasms in cats differ in that seals appear on the body. But it is quite difficult to notice them, since usually no one probes their animal every day.

When internal organs are damaged, significant changes in the pet’s condition are noted:

• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• metabolic disorders;
• neurological symptoms;
• changes in blood composition;
• respiratory problems.

If a tumor in cats forms in the skin, its growth is slow. Metastasis is observed only in late stages. When a tumor grows on the mucous membranes, it grows faster and metastasizes to the lymph nodes. Melanoma in this case is prone to bleeding.

The tumor metastasizes through the blood or lymph. Those nodes that are located close to the formation are most often affected. Metastases into the dermis may be observed; they look like small dark rashes. Metastases that are transmitted through the blood can appear in various organs. The adrenal glands, brain, and liver are most often affected.

Characteristic symptoms

The appearance of such formations on the body of a fluffy can affect the quality of his appetite.
Papilloma can form on the paws, stomach and any other parts of the body, including on the pad of a cat’s finger. In some pets, the formation looks like an ordinary mole; in other animals, there may be a growth that rises greatly above the skin and can cause discomfort to the cat. Alarming symptoms and pathological growths appear immediately after infection with weak immunity or after 2 months. When a cat has a wart, the following signs are additionally recorded:

• problems with appetite or complete refusal to eat;
• indifferent attitude towards everything;
• the appearance of papillomas of different locations and sizes;
• itchy sensations.

With papillomatosis, owners should monitor the cat so that he does not scratch problem areas, since open wounds will soon appear, which can become infected, and the disease will become more complicated.

Features of the course of the disease

• Pigmented melanoma occurs in only 1% of cats.
• There is a tendency to dissemination; metastases occur both hematogenously and lymphogenously.
• The most aggressive tumor is considered to be localized at the junctions of the skin and mucous membrane, in the scrotum area, near the nail.
• Treatment should be given preference to surgical intervention, but for tumors larger than 3 cm, cryodestructive surgery is recommended.
• Melanoma in animals has not been fully studied. Radiation does not play a role here; the tumor most often occurs in areas of the skin hidden under the fur.
• The tumor is most often observed in males. Moreover, their age exceeds the 10-year threshold.
• Metastasis often affects regional lymph nodes and skin. The lesion can be recognized by its external sign - the presence of many brown or black rashes.
• There are 4 histological types of tumors: nevus-like, epithelioid cell, mixed cell, spindle cell. Variants of melanomas can be non-pigmented and pigmented.

What is the danger?

If the owner notices such formations on the animal’s paw pads, then they need to be monitored and prevented from growing.
Small growths on a cat's fingertips are not particularly dangerous. If the owners notice the active growth of papillomas, then they should immediately contact a veterinarian. When the formation becomes large, the blood supply to it improves and the risk of damage increases, which will lead to severe bleeding. Anemia develops against the background of large blood loss, and if a similar complication occurs in a kitten, it may die. There are other negative consequences for papillomas in cats:

• Inflammatory reaction. Violation is possible with minor or significant damage to the neoplasm.
• Cancer development. Although papillomas are benign growths, under the influence of certain factors they can degenerate into malignant formations.

Forecasts

The prognosis is most often unfavorable. But much depends on the characteristics of the tumor - size, presence of ulcerations, depth, location. Bad signs are bleeding and ulceration.

Malignant tumors in pets are rare, but have an aggressive course. Neoplasms are characterized by metastasis and recurrence. The prognosis is unfavorable, but if the therapy is chosen correctly and the diagnosis is made at the initial stage of development, the pet has a great chance of surviving and recovering.

Diagnostic procedures

If a problem is detected in a cat, you need to contact a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. The specialist will examine the papillomas and find out what other clinical signs are troubling your pet. To make a diagnosis and find out the nature and causes of papillomas, the following diagnostic examinations are required:

The histological method is often used when examining an animal to determine the cause of a given disease.

• test system using immunohistochemical staining;
• histological examination;
• electron microscopy;
• PCR diagnostics.

How is the treatment carried out?

Medications

When cutaneous horn appears in cats, you should immediately see a veterinarian, who will conduct examinations and select therapeutic measures. In the early stages, papillomas can be treated with medication. Treatment involves the use of a number of drugs indicated in the table:

Novocaine solution is often used to eliminate formations in an animal.
Often, Novocain is injected into a vein to treat benign growths on a cat’s skin. A solution of 0.5-1% is suitable for therapy, with the dosage calculated at 1 ml per 1 kg of cat. The medicine is administered three times, maintaining an interval between injections of 2-3 days. It is also possible to inject Novocaine under the papilloma itself.

Surgical removal: when is it required?

Veterinarians advise that owners remove warts from cats surgically, which is more effective, and after this method of treatment there is less recurrence. Removal is performed in several ways:

• use of liquid nitrogen at low temperatures;
• laser cauterization;
• radiation.

For a speedy recovery of cats after removal of papillomas, it is recommended to give them immunostimulant vitamins and mineral supplements.

The effectiveness of folk remedies

If the virus has just begun to spread throughout the animal’s body, then the first growths can be treated with garlic juice.
In the early stages, it is possible to cope with papillomatosis in cats at home, using natural ingredients. Papillomas are treated with iodine and other folk remedies are used, such as:

• fresh celandine juice;
• spurge;
• garlic juice;
• a drop of acetic acid;
• rowan berries.

Removal of warts and papillomas

There are rare cases when papillomas disappear on their own. However, pathogenic formations generally require special treatment. If it slows down, the disease will progress, causing discomfort to the animal. Clinical treatment is prescribed taking into account the extent of the infection, the number and size of papillomas.

1. Antimicrobials;
2. Antibiotics, taking into account their action aimed at destroying bacteria in the bloodstream.

Local treatment is also carried out by removing papillomas and

warts

1. Liquid nitrogen;
2. A beam of laser beams;
3. By radiation.

After removal, the animal recorded a complete recovery. The process is completely safe for the pet’s body.

After removal, the following is prescribed as additional therapy:

1. Immunostimulating agents;
2. Vitamins;
3. Mineral supplements.

Can a person become infected?

The papillomavirus, which leads to pathology in cats, does not pose a threat to the human body, since it only affects members of the cat family. Such pathogenic microorganisms are not even capable of being transmitted from cat to dog. Therefore, when the first papillomas are detected, the pet owner should not be afraid of infection, but immediately take the cat and go to the veterinary clinic in order to carry out treatment on time and prevent complications. If you are sick, you should carefully monitor the hygiene of the cat’s ears, paws and other parts of the cat’s body, and a sick animal needs good care for a speedy recovery.

Description of moles

Unfortunately, it is difficult even for a specialist to visually distinguish a benign formation, that is, a mole, from more serious formations. In addition, analyzing the questions of cat lovers addressed to veterinarians, it becomes clear that non-specialists mistake formations on the skin of a pet of varying degrees of malignancy for moles: papillomas, melanomas, hematosarcomas, squamous cell carcinoma. And even small lipomas and a tick attached to the animal.

Moles can be:

• congenital and acquired;
• vascular and pigments;
• flat and slightly rising above the surface;
• By color, brown, black, and sometimes moles of other colors are also found;
• By size they are divided into: small (0.5-1.5 cm), medium size (1.5-10 cm), giant (more than 10 cm).

Moles are benign neoplasms; they rarely become malignant (malignant), but it is still possible. In this sense, giant moles are considered the most dangerous.