Feline Lymphoma (Feline Lymphosarcoma) Symptoms and Treatments

Feline lymphoma, also known as feline lymphosarcoma, is a tumour or cancerous growth of lymph tissue and is the most common of all cat malignancies. It is associated with infection by the feline leukaemia virus and in some cases by the feline immunodeficiency virus, and although treatment is available in the form of cytotoxic therapy, with radiotherapy for the more localised tumours, the long term prognosis is very poor. Often a vet will want to discuss the outcome with the owner and warn them that euthanasia may be the best option if the cat's symptoms worsen, and it is a difficult decision to make.

Because it attacks lymph tissue, lymphoma can affect most of the organs in the body. Common sites are the intestine, the liver, spleen and possibly the bone marrow, and they can also occur within the chest cavity. Some forms of lymphoma can affect the renal system, the eyes, the spinal cord and brain, the skin and the nose.

The signs and symptoms of lymphoma will depend on the form and site of the lymphoma, and many veterinarians will subdivide the lymphomas under three headings:

Abdominal, or alimentary lymphoma
Your cat will show signs of weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting, and his coat will appear lustreless and shabby because of his compromised condition. He will not want to eat and will want to be by himself rather than interact.

Chest, or mediastinal lymphoma
Your cat will show signs of respiratory difficulties and may develop pneumonia due to fluid collecting in and around the lungs.

Generalised, or multicentric lymphoma
Symptoms will depend on where the lymphoma is. If he is suffering with a nasal or pharyngeal lymphoma he will have a lot of discharge from his nose and possibly his breathing will be affected. Renal lymphomas lead to problems with increased output of urine and damage to the filtration system within the kidneys.

About a third of cats who present with lymphoma will go into remission and may have two or three lives left in them, but if cats are not treated the survival rate is extremely poor and they will rapidly go downhill. However survival rates for even those who may have remission is affected if the cat has been infected with the feline leukaemia virus.

Once the chemotherapy regime is in place it is likely he will tolerate it well although he will be tired. Cats seems to handle chemotherapy better than humans or dogs. Ongoing care will involve hand feeding so as to make sure he continues to take protein. However he will deteriorate, and the best you can do is to provide him with care and support as he does so.

The most effective prevention is to have your cat vaccinated. This will protect him year upon year from exposure to ferals who may be suffering or from other domestic cats that haven't been vaccinated.

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