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Warning signs of cancer

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Warning signs of cancer

Early diagnosis means more effective treatment

While different cancers have varying warning signs, early symptoms can be general signs that something’s wrong. Some signs might indicate other illnesses as well, but in any illness, the earlier it is caught and treated, the better the prognosis and the less the cost of treatment.

Behavior Changes:

If your cat is hiding more, not interacting with you the way she normally does and is not soaking up the sun in her favorite afternoon nap spots, something may be wrong. There is similar reason to be concerned if she isn’t as active as she once was or doesn’t seem to want to put in the effort to play, even with that addictive feather toy. Bleeding or Discharge: The only normal discharges are urine, feces, and in some cases, a clear watery discharge in unspayed female cats that are in estrus. Anything else warrants a veterinary visit.

Bloating:

If your cat is suddenly looking fat when she never did before, she could have a bloated abdomen due to fluid buildup related to a cancer.

Breathing Difficulties:

A cat who is less active and struggling to breathe or breathing rapidly (greater than 40 breaths per minute) may have lung cancer/disease or a cardiac condition.

Difficulty Defecating or Urinating:

A too-clean litterbox is always a serious concern. In cancer, it could be a sign of blockage of the urinary or gastrointestinal (GI) tracts by tumors.

Jaundice:

A yellow tinge to your cat’s skin, inside her ears, on her gums, or on the “whites” of her eyes could indicate liver problems, including cancer.

Lack of Appetite:

Cancerous growths may make it difficult for a cat to eat, interfere with the absorption of nutrients, or may secrete chemicals that decrease appetite.

Lameness:

Cancers of the bones or joints can cause lameness.

Lumps and Bumps:

We all pet our cats, but that’s not the same as doing a monthly check for new lumps. Bumps could be benign fatty tumors or could be more aggressive cancers, and they should be closely monitored.

Matted Hair:

A lack of feline hygiene is a sign your cat isn’t feeling well. It could be arthritis or obesity making it difficult for her to self-groom, but she could also be weak or feeling poorly.

Mouth Abnormalities:

Drooling, especially with blood, may be due to a mass in her mouth. Oral cancers are commonly associated with foul breath.

Non-Healing Sores or Scaly Skin: Sores that won’t heal are problematic, especially if you have a white cat with sores on her face or ears.

Vomiting and/or Diarrhea:

These are commonly observed in a variety of diseases, including cancers.

Weight Loss:

Unintended weight loss should set off alarms. Cancer cells can decrease nutrient absorption and increase the metabolic demands of a cat, causing weight loss despite a good appetite. Weigh your cat monthly. It’s difficult to judge weight change when you see your cat every day.

You are your cat’s first line of defense when it comes to health care. Make sure you know her normal physical appearance so that you can recognize any changes. Caught early on, many cancers can be managed to give your cat more quality time with you.

Source: Cornell Feline Health Center

Have you booked their next vet visit?

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Have you booked their next vet visit?

Vet Checkups & Blood Work for Senior Cats

Although it might be tempting to skip regular trips to the veterinarian when your aging cat appears healthy, however, appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Blood work on your cat needs to be done regularly in order to screen for common diseases in older cats. Here’s why it’s so important to take your older cat to the vet.

Wellness Checks for Senior Cats

Cats age much more rapidly than humans. Although the rate varies somewhat cat to cat, depending on factors such as body weight and lifestyle, generally speaking, a cat is considered middle-aged by the time she’s 6 years old. By the age of 10, cats are considered geriatric. At some point between these ages, typically around 7 years old, cats should begin having biannual senior wellness exams and testing to check for diseases and other health issues that cats are more prone to develop as they age. Getting your senior cat checked and having her blood work done every six months will provide her with the best chance of early detection. This could make treatment easier and more effective in many cases. In some cases, it could even save her life.

Common Diseases in Older Cats

While cats can get sick at any age, there are a number of health conditions that cats become more susceptible as they age. The most common is chronic kidney conditions that affect 3 out of 10 cats, says Pet Health Network. Other conditions common to aging cats include the following:

  • Hyperthyroidism
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Cancer
  • Organ failure
  • Arthritis and other joint issues
  • Feline dementia and other cognitive disorders

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Cat Blood Work

Wellness checks for senior cats will typically include comprehensive blood work to test for these common diseases. Typically, this will include a complete blood count to check the number of red and white blood cells as well as platelets. A biochemistry profile will be done to check organ function and detect whether your cat has diabetes. Your vet will also conduct a urinalysis to check kidney function and screen for urinary tract infections, certain types of cancer and other illnesses, and a separate thyroid test to check thyroid function. Your cat may also be given the symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) test to screen for kidney disease. This is a newer test that can detect kidney disease months to years sooner than standard methods of kidney screening, says Pet Health Network. An SDMA test could vastly improve your kitty’s outlook if she’s diagnosed with kidney problems. Check with your vet to see if this test is included in your cat’s routine wellness testing. If not, you might consider requesting it.

Caring for Cats With Health Conditions

If your kitty is diagnosed with a chronic illness, be prepared for her routine care to change. Depending on the condition, she may require more frequent visits to the vet to treat and monitor her condition. In addition to medications, your vet may place her on prescription cat food to help manage her condition. You may also need to make changes to her environment. For example, for an arthritic cat you may need to switch her litter box to one with lower sides so that it is easier for her to climb into, and provide steps up to her favourite sunny spot. Whether or not your older kitty is diagnosed with a health condition, it’s important to keep a sharp eye on your aging cat and report any changes in weight, mood, behaviour, or bathroom habits to your vet. Such changes could be symptoms of illness. Don’t wait until your cat’s next routine checkup to have her checked out by your vet.

Some cats sail through old age with few or even no significant health problems. Still, schedule regular checkups and blood work to help catch diseases early, helping to hopefully lengthen your cat’s lifespan and improve her quality of life as she ages. Please, check with your veterinarian regularly to insure proper care.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition