Protecting your cat from skin cancer

The risks of skin cancer in humans are well known to most people. However, skin cancer in cats is a lesser talked-about topic.

We’re going to answer some potential questions you may have about feline skin cancer, including what it is, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and prevention…

What is feline skin cancer and what causes it?

Cancer causes damage to the healthy cells surrounding it when the cells within an abnormal growth don’t act as they should.

As you’ll already know if you’ve read our cancer in cats article, there are many types of tumours that can impact a cat’s quality of life. The same goes for skin cancer – there are numerous varieties of cancerous and non-cancerous tumours.

Common types of skin cancer found in cats include:

• Squamous cell carcinoma – is caused by UV damage and tends to develop as crusty, black skin in areas that are hairless (e.g. nose, inside legs, lips, eyelids, tips of the ears, etc.).
• Fibrosarcoma – may be seen in older cats and results in slow-growing tumours that can appear anywhere on a cat’s body.
• Mast cell tumour – may be found on the neck and head area, and can begin as an itchy, inflamed lump that may or may not spread.
• Malignant melanoma – is a fast-growing cancer thought to be caused by genetics or UV exposure, which is usually found in mucous membranes (e.g. nose and mouth). 

What are the symptoms of skin cancer in cats?

Unfortunately, skin cancer takes many different forms in cats. 

So, the first step to recognising any potential symptoms is to be familiar with your cat’s healthy skin and coat condition. Grooming your cat daily, using positive reinforcement and body touches to help them feel comfortable with the process, will enable you to notice any of the following skin changes:

• Red patches.
• Dry, flaky patches.
• Scabs and crusty skin.
• Warts.
• Ulcers.
• Weeping skin.
• Swelling in isolated areas.
• Sores that won’t heal.
• Lesions (open wounds) with no obvious cause.
• Lumps and bumps of any colour (e.g. black, brown, red, etc.).

While not all the above changes will indicate skin cancer, it’s important to take your cat to a vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

Are there any risk factors that make cats more prone to skin cancer?

Cats who are more prone to contracting skin cancer could have:

• Thin fur.
• Light-coloured fur.
• Prolonged exposure to the sun.
• Genetic or inherited skin cancer traits.

How is skin cancer in cats diagnosed?

Vets can diagnose feline skin cancer in several ways:

• In rare cases, a physical examination may be enough for a vet to determine whether a cat has skin cancer.
• Using a tiny needle and syringe to take a sample directly from any lumps, swellings, or growths that’ll be sent off to a laboratory for testing.
• Putting a cat under anaesthetic to take a larger sample, also known as a ‘biopsy’, of any lumps, swellings, or growths.
• X-ray imaging.
• Ultrasound scans.
• CT scans.

Early diagnosis is vital, to improve the outcomes of skin cancer treatment in cats.

How is skin cancer in cats treated?

The prognosis for a cat with skin cancer depends on the type of cancer diagnosed, the stage of the cancer, its response to treatment performed, and any concurrent illnesses.

Here’s a selection of treatments vets might choose, depending on the type of skin cancer your cat is suffering from:

• Surgical removal of skin cancer tumours or growths.
• Ear removal (pinnectomy) if skin cancer is located on the tips of their ears.
• Chemotherapy (providing drugs that are toxic to cancerous cells).
• Radiation (using high-energy x-rays to disrupt the growth process of cells).
• Cryotherapy (freezing cancerous cells).  

It’s essential to discuss all treatment options with your vet, to make an informed decision about the kindest way to treat your cat’s skin cancer.

Ways to prevent skin cancer in cats

Although some skin cancers are inherited, minimising the skin cancer risks for your cat could prevent them from getting it. 

• Ways to prevent your cat from suffering with skin cancer include:
• Keeping your cat indoors on sunny days, to limit their UV exposure.
• Putting pet-safe, factor 30+, waterproof suncream on your cat before they venture outside.
• Not breeding from cats who are known to be prone to skin cancer.

For further advice, chat to the vet experts from Joii Pet Care at any time, from the comfort of your own home, as part of your Animal Friends policy.