As we all know, there are so many different types of cancers that affect all areas of the body and having pet preventive care plans for your furry friends will give you the best peace of mind. The case is the same when it comes to cats and dogs, and they can be diagnosed with all sorts of cancers at all stages of life.
In this blog, we are going to highlight different types of cat cancers, what to watch out for, and how to help treat the condition. The faster you're able to catch a disease like cancer, the better quality of life you can offer your cat. Having a cat wellness plan or pet preventive care plans can make all the difference when it comes to your cat's quality of life.
Common Cancers In Cats
It's an unfortunate reality that 1 in 5 cats will develop cancer in their lifetime. A few of the most common cat cancers include bone cancer, lymphoma, and mouth cancer. While cancer is obviously a very daunting diagnosis, we can often successfully help our cats live long, happy lives when caught early enough. Cancer symptoms are not always apparent in cats, and they can be dealing with the condition for years unnoticed. Routine visits to a veterinarian with a cat wellness plan is one of the best ways to ensure that cancer is caught as soon as possible.
Feline Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
Feline osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in cats that mainly affects the cat's hind legs. However, it can also affect a cat's skull, pelvis, and jaw. This cancer affects cells that break down the bones, causing a lot of pain for the cat. While there is no definite cause of bone cancer, this cancer is usually found near a previous bone fracture. There is also some evidence showing cat bone cancer might be related to viruses.
If your cat is suffering from feline osteosarcoma, it might show the following symptoms:
- Trouble opening their mouths
- Lots of saliva and drooling
- Trouble eating
- Pain or swelling in the legs
- Trouble walking
If your cat is diagnosed with bone cancer, it might need one of its legs amputated. This helps to ensure cancer does not spread to other areas of the body. There are also natural products and prescription medications that treat cancers as well as other illnesses. Prescription medication is all covered through a pet insurance plan.
Feline Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphocytes, which are the cells of the immune system. Lymphocytes are all over the body, making lymphoma a terrifying cancer as it is not localized. If a cat has lymphoma, it can affect all the different organs, gastrointestinal tract, blood, and more. Unfortunately, lymphoma accounts for almost 30% of all feline cancer diagnoses.
If your cat is suffering from feline lymphoma, it might show the following symptoms:
- Increase in appetite or decrease in appetite
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased thirst
- Difficulty breathing
Lymphoma is often diagnosed through blood work and fine-needle aspiration of an enlarged lymph node. Routine blood work through pet preventive care plans can be very helpful in catching an early diagnosis. Under a microscope, the veterinarian will discover if there are or are not cancer cells. Lymphoma is usually treated with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Without a sufficient pet insurance plan, treating cat cancer can be extremely costly for pet parents.
Routine care, such as bloodwork with a cat wellness plan can spot signs of cancer early on.
Mouth Cancer
Oral tumors in cats are not uncommon, but unfortunately, 75% of these tumors are cancerous squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer affects the cat's teeth, gums, the roof of the mouth, and tongue. While we do not know for sure how this type of cancer develops, there are some links associated with exposure to cigarette smoke and the use of flea collars.
If your cat is suffering from feline mouth cancer, it might show the following symptoms:
- Lots of saliva and drooling
- Weight loss
- Difficulty eating
- Loss of teeth
- Swollen and red gums
Unfortunately, the life expectancy of cats diagnosed with mouth cancer is between a couple of months and a year, depending on the severity. If the cancer is in very early stages, different medications that boost the immune system can help fight it off.
How To Treat Your Cats Cancers
If your cat is showing any of the symptoms listed above, it is very important you bring your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup. A cat wellness plan or pet preventive care plan will cover routine examinations and bloodwork. If your cat is diagnosed with cancer, a pet insurance plan will cover all of the costs that are associated with treating cancer. This type of coverage works towards saving your cat's life while saving pet parents from being thousands of dollars in debt or out of pocket.
Wagmo offers the best pet insurance plans and cat wellness plans out there. Take our Wagmo coverage quiz today! With Wagmo, pet parents are able to customize, mix and match, and create their perfect pet insurance plan for their pet and their wallets.