Cancer Treatment For Cats

Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that may form a tumor. The treatment varies depending on the type of cancer and the severity. Common treatments for cancer involve chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is the use of medications to treat cancer. Surgery may be an option for the removal of the tumor. Surgical removal is often followed by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both. If a cat owner notices a lump on the cat, the cat owner should take the cat to the veterinarian for an evaluation. Not all lumps are cancerous.

The veterinarian is likely to do a needle biopsy of the lump to check for cancerous cells. A cat with cancer may not have a lump as evidence of the condition. If the cat has changes in activity level, appetite, or sores that won’t heal, the cat owner should consult a veterinarian.

During treatment for cancer, cat owners should be aware of potential problems and know when to call the veterinarian. Any vomiting during chemotherapy should be addressed with the veterinarian. Vomiting is not an expected response to chemotherapy for animals like it can be for humans. A cat that is vomiting could become dehydrated very quickly, so cat owners should contact the veterinarian about this problem as soon as possible.

Unless the doctor orders otherwise, the cat receiving cancer treatment should be eating. If the cat is refusing to eat, the veterinarian may give the cat owner advice or give medication that increases appetite. If the cat still refuses to eat, the veterinarian may insert a feeding tube. The veterinarian will instruct the cat owner on proper feeding if the cat needs forced feeding through a syringe or is being sent home with a feeding tube in place.

Cancer in cats can be very painful. Effective pain management is a common concern for the owner of a cat with cancer. Different methods of pain relief are available. The veterinarian will decide which method of pain relief is best suited for the cat. If the cat owner suspects that the cat is still experiencing pain, the cat owner should discuss other pain management options with the veterinarian.