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Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) causes
lymphosarcoma. FeLV is contagious, but vaccinable.
It is always fatal because of persistent secondary
infections (a bit like secondary infections and
cancers kill human AIDS sufferers). Symptoms are
variable and non-specific so a blood test is
needed. Tumors associated with FeLV commonly occur
in the lymph nodes, kidneys and intestines and
might only be detected by blood tests, X-rays,
ultrasound scans or biopsies. Lymphosarcoma is
incurable and ultimately painful. Euthanasia is
recommended.
Unspayed or late-spayed female cats are at
increased risk of mammary (breast) tumors.
Approximately 85% of mammary tumors are malignant
and the cancer often spreads to other tissues. If
detected early, surgical removal can give several
more years of active life as happened with one of
my oldies. The tumors generally recur and become
more aggressive. My own cat had a second surgery 3
years after the first. She recovered, but the
tumors re-grew and affected multiple sites in her
body within 3 months of the second surgery and she
was euthanized 3 months after that.
Early detection is essential to improve the
prognosis and some types of cancer can be
"cured" completely by radical surgery
e.g. amputation an affected limb. The symptoms are
often non-specific and confusing, so general
debility (persistent general malaise) or unusual
lumps and bumps should be investigated by the vet.
Skin
Problems
Skin and coat reflect internal health, any
changes indicate problems inside. The hair is
naturally thinner between the eyes and ears; this
becomes more obvious as the cat ages. Fur may
cease to grow underneath a collar. Dull, dry, oily
and/or unkempt fur (so called "staring"
coat) are signs that something is wrong.
Fur-plucking and sucking are sign of stress. If
you groom your cat regularly you will spot any
changes, these could be minor or could be early
warning signs of another condition.
As your cat gets older his skin becomes more
fragile and less elastic. His fur may thin as his
body expends less effort on maintaining his coat.
Skin irritations and wounds heal more slowly.
Age-related nutritional deficiencies and hormone
problems can affect his skin and fur causing
alopecia (balding), flaky skin and feline acne.
Oil of Evening Primrose (Efamol, Efavet) in the
diet is beneficial to the skin. Some owners wipe
Tea Tree Oil on the skin, but this is toxic to
cats. Tea Tree Oil toxins are absorbed through the
skin (faster through broken skin) and build up in
the liver and fatty tissues because the cat cannot
break them down. Older cats have less fatty tissue
so they are at greater risk from Tea Tree Oil
toxins building up in the liver.
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