The Truth About Lymphoma In Felines
Lymphoid tissue is found throughout your whole cat’s body. Many different organs can be affected by this disease since lymphoid tissue is involved. This type of cancer is usually a problem with cats ten years or older. Also, the risk of developing lymphoma is increased if your cat is infected with the immunodeficiency or leukemia virus. There are several forms of feline lymphoma.
Forms
Cat lymphoma can occur in one of three forms. They include the mediastinal, multicentric, and alimentary forms. Cats with the alimentary form will have problems in their digestive tract and adjacent lymph nodes. The chest, thymus, and surrounding lymph nodes are affected in the mediastinal form. Cats with the leukemia virus are commonly affected by this form.
Lymphoma in cats can also occur in the multicentric form. Like the mediastinal variety, it is usually a problem for cats with the leukemia virus. It causes damage to multiple organs and their surrounding lymph nodes.
Symptoms
The problem with diagnosing this condition is that it causes no specific symptoms. Common signs of this disease include weight loss, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Any other symptoms that your cat experiences will depend on the specific organs that are affected.
Treatment
Cat lymphoma is mainly treated with chemotherapy. If the disease has already spread to multiple areas, this is the only treatment option your cat will have. This medication can be given by an injection, although some cats can take it orally. Other treatment options include surgery, laser, and radiation. They are only effective if the cancer is still localized though.
Prognosis
This is a very serious cancer. Various factors will determine your cat’s prognosis. Some of these factors include the location of the tumor and how early it was found. Cats infected with one of the aforementioned viruses will also have a worse prognosis. Most cats don’t survive more than two years, while many die around six months after diagnosis|Cats with lymphoma generally don’t survive more than two years. It’s common for the disease to be fatal within six months of diagnosis.
All owners should know a little something about common cat diseases. Fortunately for you, cat-illnesses.com is a great resource for all owners. Make sure you come by to read all about these health conditions.
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