Cat Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are more common in dogs than in cats.
Cat brain tumor often happens because of a genetic predisposition that happens in young cats. The brain tumor can be primary, when it happens in the brain.
The tumor can be secondary and as extensions because of metastasis of a malignant lump in the ear cavity, skull and nasal passage as well as pituitary gland tumors.
Cat Brain Tumor Symptoms
Like several cancers, brain tumors do not have too many early symptoms. But when the symptoms begin to appear, these are signs that the cat may have a brain tumor: Loss of training, decreased activity, infrequent purring, and confusion.
Specific symptoms that can help you identify the area the brain tumor might be in, are as follows.
- Seizures – cerebral cortex
- Facial paralysis – brain stem
- Tremors – cerebellum
- Complete or partial blindness – optic nerve or hypothalamus
- Loss of smell – olfactory system
The tumor as well as the inflammation and edema can cause the following symptoms:
- Lethargy and irritability
- Walking in circles and compulsive walking
- A tendency to press its head on hard surfaces
- Manic grooming, mood swings and loud meowing
Cat Brain Tumor Causes
The exact causes of brain tumors in cats are unknown.
People can assume that the causes include trauma, immunologic, viral, genetic, chemical, environment and diet. Cats that have meningiomas, a genetic problem is often suspected.
Benign vs Malignant Tumor: The terms must be used with care while classifying brain tumors. On a biological level, even benign brain tumors can be fatal because of other effects such as cerebral edema, and increased intracranial pressure. It is believed that any type of brain tumor can kill the animal.
If you suspect that your cat has a brain tumor, we suggest that you speak with a vet and take your cat for an examination immediately.
Forms of tumors: Before MRI and CT scan facilities, vets could assume the presence of a brain tumor. In cats, the most common type of brain tumor is a tumor that originates in the meninges and grows slowly. This tumor can sometimes be malignant. If the growth is gradual and there aren’t any symptoms, cat owners tend to get used to it. This leads to a delay in diagnosis.
A biopsy is one of the ways of checking if a tumor is malignant or benign. Advanced diagnostic imaging cannot present any solid evidence of malignancy. Generally, in cats, brain tumors are a mystery, till they are analyzed in an autopsy.
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