What Are the Causes of Mouth Cancer in Cats?
If identified early, mouth cancer in cats is a treatable condition. cats image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of oral cancer in cats and it usually attacks the tongue. Cats are more prone to cancer than dogs or other domestic animals. Feline cancers usually affect middle-aged and older cats which are 10 to 15 years of age. Spread of Cancer Cells Feline mouth tumors make up 3 to 4 percent of cat cancers. Nearly all of them are malignant, meaning the cells grow in a rapid, aggressive fashion. The tumors metastasize and cells break away from the original tumor mass to migrate throughout the body by means of the blood or lymphatic system. These can take up residence in other organs and reproduce the cancerous cells, thus spreading the cancer away from its original source. Feline Leukemia Virus The feline leukemia virus may be the cause of a higher rate of cancer in cats. Cats that are allowed to roam freely are most likely to contract thi
