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Cat Skin Fibrosarcoma

Veterinarian Reviewed on April 1, 2014 by Dr. Janice Huntingford

Cat Skin Fibrosarcoma

Skin Fibrosarcoma is a type of Cat Cancer that is found typically in the skin cell tissue of cats. Typically, signs of this form of cancer can be found on a cat’s legs, as well as the outer areas of the cat feet and paws. Because this type of cancer is displayed more so on the outside of the cat, the first line of defense in treating this form of cancer is most often surgery. The problem is that despite surgery, fibrosarcoma almost always reappears in the operation site, or on other areas of the outer body of the cat. This can be very frustrating for the distraught cat owner, and very painful and traumatic for the cat as well.

Signs and Symptoms

Like any type of cancer, the cat’s owner needs to be on the lookout for any changes in mood, behavior or actions in their cat. If the cat’s owner is rather astute, they will be able to quickly recognize any abnormal changes in their cat. In addition to this, they should do their own physical exam of their cat on a regular basis. If their cat has some abnormality on their body, they will be likely to pick at it, or lick on it. This is their way of expressing their discomfort with a foreign object that doesn’t belong there. Pet owners should look for masses, lumps, bumps, strange sores, or unusual coloring on their cat’s body.

Diagnosis of Skin Fibrosarcoma in Cats

If they are suspicious about anything that they have found on their cat’s body, a veterinarian’s opinion should be sought out immediately, as they can perform tests to make an accurate and proper diagnosis of the skin fibrosarcoma in the cat. Again, the first thing that a vet will try to do to eliminate this cancer is to perform surgery. If the fibrosarcoma is too advanced, or too difficult to operate on, the veterinarian will then usually default to chemotherapy treat and radiation treatment. The pet owner needs to be aware that these forms of treatments can further cause discomfort to their cat. However, they could be very necessary in the fight to eliminate the cancer from the cat.

Prognosis

If surgery and cancer treatments on the cat is deemed to be successful, than the prognosis for the lifetime of the cat is extremely good. The cat could very well live for many happy years after the fibrosarcoma is eliminated from their little bodies. Like all forms of cancer, though, it is of the upmost importance for the cat’s owner to constantly check their cat’s body, and even mannerisms and behaviorism, for the slightest of changes. The sooner that the cancer can be diagnosed, then the sooner the cancer can be treated and eradicated from the cat’s body. All this plays a part in keeping the cat alive for as long as possible.

Read also: Bite Wounds on Cats
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Our Expert

Dr. Janice Huntingford
Janice Huntingford, DVM, has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years and has founded two veterinary clinics since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities. Ask Dr. Jan

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