Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince has served as a board-certified small animal veterinarian since 1993, having been in practice since 1984. In that time, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince has developed a focus on cancers in dogs and cats.
2. Introduction
Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince has served as a board-
certified small animal veterinarian since 1993, having
been in practice since 1984. In that time, Dr. Joel Todd
Leroy Prince has developed a focus on cancers in dogs
and cats.
Cats are most likely to experience cancer of the white
blood cells, skin, and connective tissue. Cancer of the
connective tissue frequently manifests as soft tissue
sarcomas, which typically develop into small, hard
masses under the skin. These tumors may grow thin
projections that then allow invasion of other areas,
though those detected early have only an 11-20 percent
rate of metastasis.
Cats may also develop tumors on the skin, rather than
under it.
3. Cancers in Cats
In approximately 15 percent of cases, these are
squamous cell carcinomas, which typically grow on areas
with minimal or no pigmentation. The cauliflower-like
tumors of this condition may also develop open or
bleeding wounds, which can alert the owner and prompt
diagnosis.
While these cancers appear on or close to the surface,
feline lymphoma invades a cat's bloodstream. This
insidious cancer often results from feline leukemia virus
and involves the abnormal growth of immune cells known
as lymphocytes.
Because lymphoma affects a systemic type of cell, its
symptoms vary based on the systems most affected.
Most forms are highly treatable and have a 75 percent
remission rate following treatment, though prognosis
varies based on the stage of the disease.