Brain Tumor in Cats: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

A brain tumor in cats is an abnormal development made up of malignant or non-cancerous cells in the brain. A tumor may develop in the brain from the beginning or may spread there from other organs.

Cats also develop brain tumors so brain tumor is not exclusively human disease. Despite the fact that the majority of cats have generally good health, some develop brain tumors.

There are two distinct types of cat brain tumors, according to veterinarians. A primary tumor is one that develops in the cat’s brain and its membranes. Secondary tumors are cancers that start elsewhere in the body and spread to the brain.

Though canines are more likely than cats to get brain tumors, certain cats frequently develop malignant tumors.

Causes of Brain Tumors in Cats

Despite the fact that tumors can develop on their own, doctors think there are a few things that put cats at a higher risk of getting them.

According to certain theories, the following conditions might cause brain tumors in cats:

• Genetics
• Diet
• Environmental factors
• Chemical exposure
• Taking certain medications

How Do I Know If My Cat Has Brain Tumor?

Below are some of the behaviors exhibited by cats suffering from brain tumors. They include: 

• Sudden onset of seizures;
• Increase or reduction in food consumption;
• Increase or reduction in thirst;
• Head tilt;
• Reduced vision;
• Constant pressing of head into floor or furniture;
• Reduction in sensation on one side of the body;
• Staggering;
• Vomiting;
• Pacing;
• Tremors;
• Increased vocal sounds;
• Inability to move eyes;
• Circling or chasing the tail;
• Problems swallowing;
• Swaying of the body.

Diagnosis of Brain Tumor in Cats

The veterinarian must do a comprehensive physical examination of your pet while taking into account the background history of symptoms and any potential incidents that could have caused this disease.

A buildup of fluid in the skull can result from head trauma or injury and resemble a tumor from the outside. However, if a cat over the age of five has neurological symptoms, the majority of veterinarians assume brain tumors.

You must give a full account of your pet’s health prior to the appearance of any symptoms. The only reliable way for identifying brain tumors in cats is a tissue biopsy.

Additionally, X-ray and ultrasound imaging can be used to find or rule out primary tumors in other parts of the body, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can show tissue anomalies in the brain. If possible, doctors also take a sample of the tumor to assess whether it is malignant.

Treatment of Brain Tumor in Cats

The type and location of the tumor are two important considerations for determining the best course of treatment for feline brain tumors. On the other hand, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the three main forms of treatment for cats that have been diagnosed with brain tumors.

These treatments’ main goals are to get rid of the tumor or shrink it, and they also aim to manage any side effects that could arise from a brain tumor, like cerebral edema, which is a buildup of fluid in the brain.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy both have the potential to help decrease tumors, while surgery can entirely or partially eliminate them. The growth of tumors can be slowed down and side effects, such as seizures, can be managed with a variety of drugs.

Notably, the success rate of the treatment depends on the type of tumor. The prognosis for cats with advanced symptoms is typically worse than for cats that have only recently started showing signs.

The likelihood of success is considerably lower for larger tumors. In order to manage the symptoms in seriously ill cats, clinicians may decide to employ palliative care. Steroid administration or the use of seizure-controlling medicines may fall under this category.

Although the cat is kept comfortable and given time with his owners, palliative care does not offer a cure.

Read Also: Brain Tumor in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment