Feline Bladder Cancer

 

A message from Anna Maria Gardner DVM MA. MB MRCVS in relation to Feline Bladder Cancer:

"There are several types of bladder cancer in cats, which are rare but
unfortunately like many other cancers, they seem to becoming more
common. The rareness of this type of cancer in cats may be due to a
difference in tryptophan metabolism which leads to lower urinary
concentrations of tryptophan metabolites, which contribute to bladder
cancer. The average age of developing bladder cancer in cats is age
nine. The cause of any cancer is complex, and multi factorial, and
includes exposure to toxins, in the environment, diet and water, as
well as chronic inflammation and genetic pre-disposition. Its not
always easy to say what caused a particular cancer to develop, and it
is usually not just one thing but usually several factors. As animals
age too cells start to deteriorate and the body is not always able to
control the abnormal cell growth which then develop into tumors of
various types.

The most common form of bladder cancer in cats is Transitional Cell
Carcinoma, others are adenocarcinomas, fibrosarcomas,
leiomyosarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, hemangiosarcomas, and
occasionally osteosarcomas . Transitional cell carcinomas are very
invasive and metastasize to the lymph nodes and lungs.

Symptoms of bladder cancer include problems urinating, blood in the
urine, chronic urinary infections, abdominal pain, and general
malaise. They are usually diagnosed with an x-ray or ultrasound, and
possible a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. Treatment is often
surgical, and this can be very successful depending on the location
and extent of the tumor. Chemotherapy is sometimes used too. Holistic
treatment can also help either slow things down, or prevent
recurrence after surgery, and anti-oxidants, vitamins, homeopathic
remedies and Chinese and western herbs are definitely worth
incorporating into the treatment plan. "