Cat Breast Cancer Can Be A Killer

Cat breast cancer is, unfortunately, quite a common cancer in female cats, and also one of the most aggressive.

Cats have eight mammary glands, in two rows of four. Breast cancer most often occurs in glands up near the armpits, and those at the back of the abdomen between the back legs. For some reason, Siamese cats tend to get breast cancer at a younger age than other breeds.

Over 90% of cat breast cancer lumps are malignant, and can spread rapidly to nearby organs and lymph nodes.

You’ll first notice the tumor as a little hard lump, usually under or near the nipple. It feels a bit like a pea or a marble. They grow quite quickly, and can break out of the skin and cause a large, weeping ulcer on the skin.

Treatment of cat breast cancer is initially surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, then possibly chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. The best outcome is achieved if the tumor is removed when it is still small.

Survival times range between 6 months to 4 or 5 years, depending on how big the lump was when it was removed, and how your cat responds to chemotherapy.

Death usually occurs because of breathing difficulties when the tumor spreads to the lungs. Cats can also be euthanized because of the large ulcerated tumor on the abdomen – it becomes smelly, and upsets both the cat and her owner.

If you have a female cat breast cancer
can be prevented by early spay. Spaying before 6 months of age can reduce the risk of breast cancer in your cat by over 90%. If your cat is older than 2 years, spaying doesn’t make any difference to the risk.

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Tagged as: breast cancer, Cat, cat tumor