Treatment of Bladder Cancer in Cats

Although bladder cancer in cats is uncommon, it does happen. No one is positive about why some cats develop bladder cancer, but there have been links between flea medication and lawn insecticides to bladder cancer in cats. There is also a link between bladder cancer and cyclophosphamide, a drug cats are given to treat immune disorders and cancer. Obese cats and female cats are at the highest risk for developing bladder cancer.

While you need to consult with your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate course of treatment, here's a list of different ways bladder cancer in cats is usually treated.

Drugs

Chemotherapy and the anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam are the standard treatment for bladder cancer in cats. Radiation can also be used as treatment, but it is usually not done except by referral specialists or in research facilities.

Surgery

Because bladder cancer in cats takes the form of tumors that invade the bladder wall, surgery is most likely not a possibility. To remove the tumor or tumors would destroy the bladder itself. Surgery is only a possibility when the tumor is small and contained within the bladder.

Bladder cancer in cats can be tricky to diagnose, especially because the initial symptoms are exactly the same as other less serious and more common urinary tract problems. If the cancer is not detected early, the cat may also have tumors in other parts of the body that need to be surgically removed.

Alternative Medicine

Sadly, cats that are diagnosed with bladder cancer usually don't live more than another year. In some, the cancer has progressed to the point where they only live another couple of weeks after diagnosis. Treatment can prolong a cat's life or in some cases help the cat recover completely, but you should do everything you can to keep your cat comfortable in the meantime. My vet once told me after a particularly grim diagnosis, "It's not about quantity of life; it's about quality."

Aside from whatever medical treatment your vet recommends, the best way to treat bladder cancer in cats is to make them as comfortable as possible, so their last days are as pain-free and happy as possible. Bladder cancer in cats can cause incredible discomfort, which you can imagine if you've ever had a severe urinary tract infection.

Homeopathic remedies can help alleviate some of the misery your cat feels. Many websites advertise homeopathic supplements you can give your cat to relieve urinary tract discomfort, and some supplements are made specifically for cats with cancer to boost their immune systems while they undergo treatment.

While it can't hurt to try homeopathic remedies in conjunction with conventional treatment, be sure to talk to your vet about any supplements you give your cat. Even herbal remedies can cause reactions with other medication.

BIG DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only. It cannot and should not replace consultation with a licensed veterinarian. You know this.