It is never easy to hear that your beloved cat has cancer. As your feline friend is undoubtedly an important member of your family, it can be absolutely heartbreaking to learn that he or she has developed a life-threatening disease like cancer. However, a cancer diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road. In fact, just like with humans, chemotherapy is a viable option that will allow your kitty to live comfortably for many years to come.
That being said, the prospect of chemotherapy treatments can also be quite stressful for pet owners. This is why we thought it would be beneficial to go over the ins and outs of chemotherapy for cats. When making the decision to have your cat receive chemotherapy drugs, it is important that you understand the various side effects, how it works, and whether this is the best treatment path for your cat. In some instances, chemotherapy may not be the best choice for your cat. We encourage you to ask our vets any questions you may have and go over your specific situation in detail.
When is Chemotherapy a Good Idea for My Cat?
Chemotherapy is a viable and realistic option used to treat certain cancers in cats. Depending on the situation, chemotherapy may be the sole treatment used, or it may be used in conjunction with other solutions. We typically see chemotherapy recommended when cats have been diagnosed with cancer that has a higher chance of spreading to other parts of the body, or for tumors that cannot be removed surgically. Furthermore, chemotherapy may also be used in order to shrink large tumors before surgery.
In the past, cancer was a grim diagnosis for cats. However, through advances in the veterinary field, chemotherapy has become a real and effective way to treat various forms of cancer.
How Does it Work?
Just like with chemotherapy for humans, the drugs work to stop the process of rapid growth. There are several different ways in which chemotherapy can be administered to your cat:
- Oral – Given by mouth
- Intravenous – Injected directly into the vein
- Subcutaneous – Injected under the skin to be slowly absorbed into the bloodstream
- Intralesional – Injected into the tumor
- Intramuscular – Injected directly into the muscle
Your Sykesville vet will go over these options with you in further detail, providing you with the information and direction needed to make the decision that will best suit your cat.
What Are the Common Side Effects?
Pet owners will be happy to hear that the majority of cats who receive chemotherapy experience minimal to no side effects. However, there is a risk of side effects that you should be aware of before moving forward:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloody urine
- Hair loss
To find out more about these side effects, please contact your vet and ask about chemotherapy for cats. Please remember that there are several different chemotherapy agents, all of which have a different likelihood of resulting in certain side effects. This is why it is absolutely imperative that you discuss this treatment option with your vet in detail before making a decision. For some cats, chemotherapy can be a lifesaver, literally, whereas other cats may benefit from a different treatment option, such as surgery.
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