Cat Mouth Cancer

If the feline mouth cancer has been detected early enough, it can be treated.



Most types of mouth cancer do not prove fatal and can be surgically treated. Chemotherapy will usually follow and felines respond well to it. Cats can be affected by four types of lung cancer and these include lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, fibrosarcoma and malignant melanoma.



Of the lot, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cat oral cancer. This condition is symptomised by the cat no longer grooming itself, a loss of appetite and a consequent loss of weight, bad breath, bleeding and drooling saliva from the mouth, diarrhea, vomiting, tiredness and a visible swelling of the lymph nodes.

Cat mouth cancer treatment will initially involve a test conducted by the veterinarian as to whether the condition is benign or malignant.



The vet will administer a local anaesthesia and take a sample from its mouth. The skin taken is studied under a microscope and if need be a test called chemo assay is also conducted if chemotherapy is a possible requirement. While in most cases, cats live a normal healthy life post surgery; there are chances that it may return. If the cancer has, however, reached an advanced stage it cannot be removed and the vet may advise euthanasia to put it out of its pain. Cat mouth cancer causes could include the inhalation of smoke, particularly passive smoking. Cats that live in the house of smokers are more likely to develop this condition and it would be advisable to stop smoking. It is important for the cat owner to brush its teeth on a daily basis and get it used to having its mouth checked every day to identify any signs of disease. Any reddish lumpiness that you notice merits an immediate visit to the vet. This will make the animal used to having its mouth checked as it grows older and will prove a boon when you visit the veterinarian. If medication has to be administered orally as it grows older, this practice will prevent it from offering too much resistance. Cats should be taken to the vet once every year and once it has crossed the age of seven, twice a year would be advisable. Make sure that the veterinarian examines the oral cavity as well as this will help identify any abnormal growth that you may have missed and will also determine if the cat requires dental cleaning.