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While the causes of cancer in cats are unknown, feline leukemia virus is suspected to be a prime contributor. [2] Other factors suspected to increase rates of feline cancer include toxins from the environment, passive smoking , excessive grooming, or licking parts of the body that have been in contact with an environmental toxin .
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats.FeLV can be transmitted from infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal's immune system, the virus weakens the cat's immune system, which can lead to diseases which can be lethal.
A vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS) or feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS) is a type of malignant tumor found in cats (and, often, dogs and ferrets) which has been linked to certain vaccines. VAS has become a concern for veterinarians and cat owners alike and has resulted in changes in recommended vaccine protocols.
General signs and symptoms include depression, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, loss of hair or fur and vomiting. Lymphoma is the most common cancerous cause of hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) in dogs. [9] It can lead to the above signs and symptoms plus increased water drinking, increased urination, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Dogs with hemangiosarcoma rarely show clinical signs until the tumor has become very large and has metastasized. Typically, clinical signs are due to hypovolemia after the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Owners of the affected dogs often discover that the dog has hemangiosarcoma only after the dog collapses.
A 10-year-old female beagle with oral cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs. [1] It is estimated that 1 in 3 domestic dogs will develop cancer, which is the same incidence of cancer among humans. [2] Dogs can develop a variety of cancers and most are very similar to those found in humans.
They may cause symptoms, sickness or the death of the animal. Some diseases are symptomatic in one cat but asymptomatic in others. Feline diseases are often opportunistic and tend to be more serious in cats that already have concurrent sicknesses. Some of these can be treated and the animal can have a complete recovery.
The most common symptoms presented by patients with the disease are fevers and fatigue. Other common symptoms include weight loss, bone pain, bruising, and bleeding. [citation needed] Additionally, subleukemic leukemia can cause visible skin lesions called cutaneous lesions or leukemia cutis.