Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Ear hematomas result when cats scratch at their ears too much,
regardless of the underlying disease. This scratching breaks small blood
vessels and causes a blood blister to form between the skin and the car-
tilage in the ear. This swells and makes the cat even more uncomfort-
able. Successful treatment must resolve the problem that caused the
itching, and surgically drain and repair the damaged ear flap.
CATS CAN GET SKIN CANCER
There are a few different types of cancer that can affect the skin of cats,
but squamous cell carcinoma is the most common. Squamous cell carci-
noma (SCC) is a type of cancer that can be caused by excessive exposure
to sunlight, but it can also occur for no known reason.Aside from the ears
and face, SCC can occur in the mouth, on the body and on the feet.
Other types of feline skin cancer include malignant melanoma, mast
cell tumors and cutaneous lymphosarcoma. Some can be cured by sur-
gery, while others cannot.
In general, cats do not get many lumps and bumps on their skin, but
benign growths called sebaceous cysts are sometimes found. Any time
you notice a growth on the cat's skin, you should monitor it and have
it checked out by a veterinarian. Increasing size, change in consistency,
spread to other locations or pain associated with a growth are all rea-
sons to have it examined.
When your veterinarian examines a growth on the skin, he will
likely part the hair, assess the size and squeeze the tissue. Different types
of growths have different characteristics.
To make a definitive diagnosis of any skin growth, some type of
biopsy is needed. Some veterinarians will perform needle biopsies and
cytology in their clinics.They will remove a few cells from the growth,
place them on a slide and examine them microscopically. Inflammation,
infection and fatty tissue are easily diagnosed this way. Other types of
cells may be sent to a lab for a clinical pathologist to review.
Early detection and surgical removal can cure many cases of some
types of skin cancer. Cryosurgery (freezing the tissue) and laser surgery
are other methods for removing skin growths.
We have all heard about the damage the sun can do to our skin, but
do we think about what it is doing to our pets? Fair-skinned people are
more sensitive to the effects of sunlight, and the same is true for cats.
Protruding areas with white hair and pink, unpigmented skin (such as
the ear tips and the end of the nose) are the most affected parts on cats.
Cats first become sunburned, then the skin is damaged and then squa-
mous cell carcinoma can develop.
