While at the vet, he noticed her studying her cat’s face, nuzzling her nose and gently rubbing her ears. Her vet was looking for small, crusty sores that could indicate feline cancer. Squamous cell cancer can spread quickly if it is not treated. Here we show you how to prevent it and also the signs of this feline cancer in her cat.
Squamous cells are flat, scale-like cells found in the tissue that lines the outer and inner surfaces of your cat’s organs. Its purpose is to protect the underlying tissue and facilitate the exchange of nutrients.
Skin tumors in cats are the second most common feline cancer. Lymphoma is number one. Here is the list of the most frequently diagnosed skin cancers in cats:
1. Basal cell tumors
2. Mast cell cancer
3. Fibrosarcoma
4. Squamous cell cancer (SCC)
While squamous cell cancer ranked fourth, that doesn’t make it any less deadly than the others. Usually some type of physical trauma provides a playing field for SCC. Burns and excessive exposure to sunlight are a common cause. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun damages your cat’s DNA, cells divide and multiply, and tumors form.
Not surprisingly, white or lightly pigmented cats with sparse hair are prone to SCC and basal cell cancer. When the disease begins you can find sores in various places on your cat: the temple area; the outer tips of their ears; the eyelids; lips and the tip of his nose.
Sometimes feline cancer tumors in your cat’s oral cavity. These injuries are believed to be related to chronic dental disease.
Squamous cell cancer cells are sometimes found in your cat’s liver, lungs, and other internal organs. Although not proven, the medical consensus is that this cancer is related to an environmental carcinogen: secondhand tobacco smoke. Some associate cancer with exposure to chemicals in flea collars.
External SCC lesions are small and irregular in shape with a hard edge. The area around the sore may be pink and show hair loss. The sore may be oozing fluid. Sometimes this seems to go away and then returns to the same area, but larger and with more fluid. Eventually, the cancer cells will metastasize to a lymph node and from there spread to the rest of the body.
If your vet suspects squamous cell cancer, they will confirm it with a biopsy. Sometimes the cancerous area is surgically removed or treated with radiation therapy. Some vets use cryotherapy, which destroys cancer cells by freezing them.
In more advanced cases, 3 weeks of aggressive radiation treatments can help. However, if the feline cancer has spread to the internal organs, there is little your vet can do. That is why prevention and early recognition of squamous cell cancer in cats is vital.
Prevention Tips
1. Protect your cat from excessive exposure to sunlight;
2. Don’t use flea collars, instead opt for a natural alternative or topical treatment from your vet;
3. If necessary, smoke outdoors and avoid exposing your cat to secondary smoke hazards. She not only breathes your smoke, but licks it off her skin;
4. Have you checked your cat for dental problems?
5. Look for sores on your cat’s ears, eyelids, lips, and nose. If you don’t know what caused them, take her to the vet for a diagnosis.
6. If your cat develops bad breath, drools excessively, or shows weight loss, take him to the vet.
You may also want to investigate a natural supplement that will boost your cat’s immunity to promote healing and help fight disease. You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t love her very much and didn’t want to give her the best chances for a long life.