Cape Animal Medical Centre

Cancer is a curse of modern life. Every day we are exposed to the toxins, radioactivity, electromagnetic fields and fallout created by the modern industry, lifestyle and practices. While we humans and animals are all exposed by direct contact and ingestion, cats are also more exposed to environmental fallout by ingesting the material collected on the skin during grooming. This may all contribute to the occurrence of cancer in cats. Some viruses, most notably the feline AIDS virus (FIV) and the leukaemia virus (FeLV) also result in cancer in cats. These viruses mostly cause cancer of the blood, bone marrow and glands, but may predispose the cat to any form of cancer by interfering with the immune system. With our increased awareness cancers are recognised frequently. With our improved modern diagnostic capabilities and technology, cancer is also diagnosed earlier and possibly more frequently than before.

Just as with humans, this increased awareness and early recognition is the key to successful treatment of cancer. Cancer can be treated and can be beaten, but if recognised too late, it will invariably be fatal or result in early euthanasia. Tell-tale signs depend on the type of cancer and may include bumps or masses in the skin, non-healing ulcers or wounds, enlargement of organs or the abdomen, loss of weight or condition, loss of appetite, shortness of breath or coughing and pain or lameness. Treatment of cancer is based on combinations of surgical removal, radiation treatment and chemotherapy. For many types of cancer, early and complete surgical excision may be curative and this would often be the ideal treatment approach. We should remember that our pets are not really concerned with vanity or by their appearance, and are simply concerned about being reasonably functional and feeling well. They are spared some of the crippling human emotions. If a limb was lost or ears had to be amputated to stop cancer, they would cope very effectively and not be subjected to the psychological effects of such surgery as we humans might be. We so often see pets continue and function as normal after radical surgery and they gain by having a few more years of quality life to enjoy.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer in humans are often associated with significant side effects like nausea, vomiting and loss of hair. Not so in animals, where often no or very limited side effects are experienced. Radiation treatment is usually limited in the areas exposed and therefore no side effects might be experienced. Chemotherapy seldom results in loss of hair, and only occasionally will nausea or diarrhoea be seen. The aim of cancer therapy is always to add quality and quantity to the remaining time and if quality of life could not be provided, we would not be performing such treatments. Obviously, not all cancers are curable, but often significant quality time can be obtained with carefully selected and administered chemotherapy. Each type of cancer behaves differently and the same type of cancer may behave differently in individuals. While typical response or cure rates are known, individual responses may be difficult to absolutely predict. Each patient should be judged individually and an informed decision to treat or not to treat be made.