Cat Eyelid Tumor

Eyelid tumors are masses in the eyelid area of cats that form in their skin glands. While these tumors are usually benign in a dog, these tumors are usually malignant in a cat. Cat Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the clinical name for these types of tumors in cats. According to scientific studies, these types of tumors are more common in white, older cats, as well as cats that spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun. These tumors can be painful for the cat, impede their eyesight, and cause many signs of discomfort.

Signs and Symptoms

Your cat will give you signs and signals that they might have a tumor in the eye. Those signs will include :

• Scratching and pawing at their eye

• Eye redness, similar to Cat Pink Eye

• They will give off a discharge in the eyes from these tumors

Diagnosis

In the case of cats, a vet will conduct a variety of tests to diagnose the eyelid tumor. The veterinarian will undertake very specific steps, such as taking biopsies, scrapings, and cultures.

The vet will need to determine with absolute certainty, exactly what he or she is dealing with in your cat, and so they will take samples, as well as do a variety of laboratory testing. Once the vet has established a conclusive diagnosis, he or she will then be able to create a treatment plan that is specific to your cat’s unique needs. That treatment plan, most of the time, will include surgical removal, but if the mass is small enough, then it can be removed simply through the use of medication.

Treatment Options

It is extremely important to take your cat to see a veterinarian as soon as you notice any of the above signs and symptoms, as well as if you notice a mass of any sort in the eye area of your cat.
Most of the time, these masses will have to be surgically removed. If the mass has gotten out of hand and it has become too big, then the mass will have to be removed along with the surrounding skin of the eyelid. Then the eyelid area will have to be reconstructed. The recovery rate for cat concerning these types of eyelid tumors is good. Proper and comfortable eyesight will usually be restored as well.

Sometimes, especially in the case of cats, smaller tumors can mimic the signs and signals of a malignant tumor. However, these can simply be fungal infections, which can very easily be treated with medication.

Additional Cat Cancer Pages

Cat Cancer | Cat Skin Cancer | Cat Lung Cancer | Cat Pancreatic Cancer | Cat Cancer Prevention | Cat Cancer Diagnosis | Cat Gastric Cancer | Cat Lymphoma Cancer | Cat Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Cat Mouth Cancer | Cat Brain Tumor | Cat Palliative Cancer Care