Library
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Oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the most common oral tumor in cats, and second most common in dogs. These tumors are locally aggressive, with a possibility to metastasize. Regardless of the location of SCC, surgery is the typically the standard treatment. Radiation therapy may be recommended following surgery or as a primary treatment for palliative care. Staging is recommended for all cases. If metastasis is present chemotherapy is often pursued.
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Fibrosarcomas are the second most common oral tumor in cats and arise from the fibrous and connective tissues of the oral cavity. These tumors are very invasive locally and are often difficult to manage, Diagnosis is based on biopsy and treatment involves surgery and occasionally radiation or chemotherapy. Palliative care with pain relief and antibiotics are essential to improve quality of life.
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The most common oral tumor seen in cats is squamous cell carcinoma; the second most common is fibrosarcoma. This handout discusses the clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of oral tumors in cats.
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Osteosarcomas are somewhat rare in cats and progress slowly. Osteosarcoma is very painful. The most common location where osteosarcomas develop in cats is the hindlimb. Amputation is by far the most common treatment. Chemotherapy is not generally pursued without evidence of metastasis, given the relatively long-term control with surgery alone.
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Ovarian tumors are quite rare in North American pets, mainly due to routine spaying practices. This handout discusses ovarian tumors in dogs and cats. The various forms of ovarian tumors, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this cancer are outlined.
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Most cats instinctively hide their pain as a survival mechanism which can make detecting pain in cats a challenge. Although the signs may be subtle, careful observation of a cat’s everyday behaviors will often reveal pain when it is present. These signs may include changes in behavior, mobility, elimination, and grooming habits. Common pain medications include NSAIDs and opioids. Your veterinarian will choose the appropriate drugs based on your cat's specific needs.
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Palliative medicine is, by definition, care that is delivered as a cat approaches her end of life. The first step in creating a palliative care plan for your cat is to meet with your veterinarian to discuss the expected course of the disease and how it will affect your cat's quality of life. Once a cat's activities of daily living have been identified, it is important to define family beliefs, the family's needs as care unfolds, and the goals for the cat as death approaches. An essential part of establishing goals of palliative therapy is understanding the expected course of the life-limiting disease. Knowledge is power and knowledge about disease allows for the development of a personalized palliative care plan.
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Primary pancreatic tumors are rare in dogs and cats. Exocrine tumors include adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and endocrine tumors include insulinomas, gastrinomas, and glucagonomas. Insulinomas are the most common type of pancreatic tumor, followed by adenocarcinomas. Both tumors are more common in dogs than cats. Large breed dogs and Siamese cats may be predisposed. Insulinomas are usually diagnosed with the finding of hypoglycemia with normal to high insulin on bloodwork and concomitant clinical signs. Adenocarcinomas typically go undetected until the clinical signs of metastasis are evident. For both tumors, diagnostic imaging and exploratory surgery with tumor removal (or biopsy) and histopathology are needed for a definitive diagnosis. Insulinomas can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery is possible with adenocarcinomas, but as the cancer is more diffuse and has usually metastasized by the time of diagnosis, the prognosis is poorer. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are ineffective in the treatment of adenocarcinomas. Given the high rate of metastasis with these tumors, staging is recommended prior to surgery.
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Pancreas-specific lipase is a form of lipase produced only in the pancreas and is highly specific to the pancreas. Blood values increase only when there is pancreatic inflammation. There is now a version of the fPLI test that can be used in-clinic (SNAP fPL© from IDEXX). Ideally, the sample should also be sent to the laboratory to get an actual value of fPLI to help with treatment and monitoring.
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Panniculitis is a localized inflammation of the tissues under the skin, causing a firm swelling (nodule) that may ulcerate and drain fluid. It is a common problem in cats and is less common in dogs. There are several causes of panniculitis, but in younger animals with a single lump, the cause is often blunt trauma and, in cats, it is often caused by bite wounds from fighting. An accurate diagnosis relies on the microscopic examination of tissue and the most common treatment is the surgical removal of the lump(s).
