Oral Cancer in Cats

Your cat's dental health should include more than cleanings. The vet should also be looking for cavities, gingivitis and cracked teeth, and signs of oral cancer.

Called gingival squamous cell carcinoma, this specific form of cancer is the most common oral cancer, grows fast and is frequently fatal. It is most often seen in more senior cats but, it can develop in younger cats, too, as it did with BCR's Isabelle. Her leukemia positive status may have also played a part in her cancer.

BCR's Camille and Isabelle (both now across the Rainbow Bridge) both developed blisters on their tongues (you can see Isabelle's in this photo), which were painful. Despite trying to treat them using everything we could think of, from traditional veterinary medicines to Eastern and holistic medicines and techniques, nothing worked. We lost them both.

What symptoms of oral cancer should you be on the lookout for in your cat? Among the most visible symptoms to look for: if your cat stops eating, drools a lot, has difficulty chewing, has bad breath, loses weight, develops a growth in his/her mouth, and swelling of the face or under the jaw. If you're the least bit worried that something is wrong, go immediately to your vet and have your cat's mouth checked out.

Read one pet owner's experience with oral cancer here.