Cat Intestinal Cancer
Veterinarian Reviewed on April 2, 2014 by Dr. Janice Huntingford
Cat Intestinal Cancer
Having a pet can be an expensive venture, no matter if it is a dog or a cat, or even an exotic pet, especially when the pet is diagnosed with some form of cancer. The initial cost of owning a cat, which is the actual purchase price or adoption fee, is not the only cost you will encounter during the lifetime care of your cat. You will also inevitably spend money on veterinarian visits, spaying or neutering your cat, cat food and treats, toys, a carrier, a bed, litter box and many other items. Some cat owners spend anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 per year on their cat, depending on how healthy their cat is during every visit with their veterinarian. However cats, just like human beings, can be diagnosed with various forms of Cat Cancer. One of the most common forms of cat cancers is intestinal cancer.
Type of Intestinal Cancer
Adenocarcioma, which is a malignant tumor, can develop in the gastrointestinal system of a cat. This cancer can occur in the cat’s stomach, their large intestine, their small intestine or even their rectum. Thankfully, this type of tumor is incredibly rare in cats, but when it does occur, it occurs more often in older, senior cats. This cancer is also more common in male cats rather than in female cats, and no specific cat breed is affected more than any other breed of cat. A cat that has been diagnosed with this type of cancerous tumor sadly does not have a very good outlook.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of intestinal cancer in cats include the following:
•Abdominal pain
•Vomiting of blood
•Black colored feces
•Bright red blood in the feces
•Difficulty with defecation or Cat Constipation
Cause of Intestinal Cancer in Cats
The cause of this type of intestinal cancer is still unknown but scientists are continuously working to find a cause, which could then lead to finding a cure for this cancer. Metastasis, which is when cancer spreads from its original spot to other major organs, typically occurs in most patients. This is why surgery is one of the only treatment options available for those cats that are unfortunately diagnosed with intestinal cancer. Cat Cancer Chemotherapy can be performed by a certified veterinary cancer specialist, which may or may not work, but pain pills will also most likely be prescribed to help your cat to better deal with the pain that is associated with the tumor and the surgery.
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
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Our Expert

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