Colon Cancer Feline
"Colon cancer feline disease is not a very common illness. When it does occur, unfortunately, symptoms do not usually appear until the disease is fairly advanced, making treatment less effective. It can also be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are similar to many other conditions of the colon."
Cat Colon Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms for colon cancer in cats include:
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Straining to defecate
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More frequent defecation than usual
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Painful defecation
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Bright red blood in the stool
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Mucous in the stool
Colon cancer feline symptoms are similar to the symptoms of many other colon problems in cats, including viral and bacterial infections, fungal infections, parasites, and dietary disorders. If you notice these symptoms in your cat, chances are it’s not cancer, but it is something your cat needs treatment for. Take her to the vet.
Diagnosis
Because colon cancer symptoms are so similar to the symptoms of so many other colon problems, and because colon cancer in cats is relatively rare, your vet will first begin to rule out other condition. He or she will want to test a stool sample, so try to take one with you when you take your cat to the vet.
In addition to testing the stool sample, your vet will do some blood work and will probably do a urinalysis. Your vet may even try your cat on a course of antibiotics to see if the condition clears up. When these tests come up negative and when any course of treatment the vet tries is ineffective, your vet will look for other causes.
An x-ray will show a tumor or tumors in the colon. A biopsy may be done to confirm that the tumor is indeed cancerous.
Your vet will also do x-rays to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or liver.
Colon Caner Feline Treatment
Colon cancer is most often treated with surgery. The tumor and a small amount of the surrounding tissue is removed.
Radiation and chemotherapy have not been found to be effective in treating colon cancer in cats. However, chemotherapy may be used if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
As with many other cancers, there is a chance that the colon cancer feline may recur. There is also a good chance that it will spread to other areas of the body. Cats rarely survive more than one year.
Sources:
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