Unfortunately, such a disease as cancerous tumors is also found in our pets. In cats, it is not common and in most cases, it is a tumor of the mammary glands.
Breast tumor in cats
A tumor is a neoplasm that occurs in the mammary glands and affects tissues. Most often manifested in non-castrated animals after 7-10 years of life.
An oncological disease has its own specifics depending on what kind of tumor a pet has. They are divided into benign and malignant.
The first is easier to treat, since benign tumors have a strict limited location, do not give mestaz. The main characteristic is as follows: the spread is slow, does not grow into other tissues and has a clear area. But unfortunately, benign tumors are less common. It is important to monitor the health status of the pet, since often benign formations turn malignant, and this moment cannot be missed, because it is very dangerous.
A malignant tumor is called carcinoma, it consists of cells inside the mammary gland that are susceptible to mutation. As a result, they form a densification in the gland, as there are more mutated cells and they grow into neighboring tissues. As a result - rapid development and a very complex treatment.
Causes of Cancer in Cats
This disease can occur in all cats, with the exception of young individuals, which were sterilized before the first estrus. But cats in the first ten years of life also rarely have this disease. Usually it occurs in cats, regardless of sterilization, if the cat managed to walk with the male, and after reaching a minimum of seven years.
The doctors cannot say the exact cause of the tumor, the exact reasons have not been studied. However, hormonal medications can certainly greatly worsen a pet’s condition. Most often they are used to suppress estrus symptoms, they strongly press on the hormonal background, and failures in its work significantly change the functioning of the body.
Another possible reason is a genetic predisposition, a mutation can be transmitted from mother to all children.
Symptoms of mammary tumors in cats
All diagnostics depend on the stage of tumor development. This applies to malignant tumors:
1) The first stage is characterized by a tumor measuring a maximum of one and a half centimeters. There are no special symptoms at this stage, changes in behavior and appetite are not observed.
2) The second stage is characterized by a tumor up to three centimeters in size, since the tumor begins to grow very rapidly. The animal still does not show any external signs.
3) The third stage is characterized by a tumor up to five centimeters in size. During this period, deterioration in the health of the pet begins, an unpleasant smell appears and the cat loses its appetite.
4) The fourth stage is characterized by the appearance of ulcers on the tumors. Size increases rapidly, at which point penetration into neighboring tissues begins. The cat's condition worsens sharply, a specific smell persists.
It is important to note that a benign tumor can develop into a malignant one, so you need to constantly check the status of your pet.
Diagnosis and treatment of mammary tumors in cats
First of all, you need to check your pet regularly. If you find any changes in the area of the mammary glands, urgently take your cat to the nearest veterinary clinic! The sooner you discover a disease, the greater the chance of a successful treatment.
A professional doctor will examine the animal, especially the area of the likely tumor. It is necessary to check what stage of the disease, therefore, a full examination is carried out, the tumor focus is palpated to check the condition of neighboring tissues.
The next step is a biopsy, which is necessary to find out exactly which cells mutate. A cell sample is taken from the site that is suspected as a mutation site and a thorough analysis is performed. A biochemical and clinical blood test is performed. This is necessary to eliminate all additional risks. Other tests are possible, an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity or an X-ray examination of the lungs, if there are suspicions of metastases in other organs.
Treatment mainly consists of surgery. The operation is called unilateral mastectomy, in its process all the glands in one row are removed, along with the infected gland. The reason for this is to prevent the further spread of the mutation, otherwise the operation will not bring any results.
When an operation to remove both rows of the mammary gland is prescribed, total mastectomy takes place in two stages - from the more advanced to the less advanced.
In addition to surgery, chemotherapy may be added according to the doctor’s recommendation, adjusted individually for each pet. The course of treatment should be strictly observed, the main thing is to follow all the advice of your veterinarian.
After a course of treatment, it is necessary to check every few months, since remission is possible, and it must be caught at the initial stage.
Preventative measures
First of all, the main guarantee that your cat will never suffer from breast tumors is sterilization until the first estrus. If you do not plan to breed offspring, then you should think about sterilization in a timely manner. After the first estrus, the percentage of guarantee is reduced to eighty percent, and after the second estrus and further, the doctor will not be able to give any guarantees.
The next point of prevention is the need for regular examinations. It is important to conduct both home examinations and a routine examination at the veterinarian at least once every six months.
It is also worth noting that you should not give hormonal drugs on an ongoing basis. This not only increases the risks of tumors, but can also cause other disorders.
