Millie the 14-year-old domestic long-haired cat has cancer. To be more precise, she has alimentary lymphoma which is the most common form of malignant cancer seen in cats and it affects the gastrointestinal tract.
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Cats of any age can suffer from lymphoma, however middle-aged to older cats are most at risk.
Unvaccinated outdoor cats are at greater risk than indoor cats and recent studies have also shown that cats routinely exposed to tobacco smoke are at greater risk for gastrointestinal lymphoma. Millie’s owners bought her to Dr Jana’s Vet Centre with early signs of the disease which included poor appetite, weight loss, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Suspecting alimentary lymphoma, a biopsy was performed on Millie to confirm her initial diagnosis and to ensure the most effective course of treatment. Following Millie’s biopsy she commenced a course of chemotherapy that required her to be placed into isolation to prevent her from contracting other diseases whilst her immune system was vulnerable.
Although alimentary lymphoma is not a curable disease, Millie’s signs and symptoms, her quantity and quality of life have dramatically improved following her chemotherapy.
Depending on how Millie progresses she may require continuing chemotherapy for the rest of her life. As alimentary lymphoma is such a prevalent disease in cats. At Dr Jana’s Vet Centre we recommended that all cats from seven years of age undergo twice-yearly health checks to allow for early detection of this aggressive form of cancer.
Fortunately, Millie is doing well with therapy and enjoys most of her treatment in the comfort of her home.