What is Throat Cancer?
While various forms of cancer can be quite common in older cats, cancer of the throat and larynx are fairly rare in cats of any age. These cancers, of which lymphoma is the most highly reported, can cause tumors to form throughout the throat and on the larynx, which is the area of the throat that contains the vocal chords. These tumors can be very painful, which can make it difficult for your cat to swallow. and will change the sound of your cat’s voice. Any time your cat has stopped eating normally, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. If this cessation of normal eating is accompanied by changes in the voice, contact your veterinarian immediately.
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Symptoms of Throat Cancer in Cats
Internal medical issues can be very difficult for a pet owner to notice. Many times the only way to determine if your cat is ill is to pay attention for changes in the cat’s behaviors. This is certainly true when a cat is suffering from a rare occurrence of throat cancer. The two main behaviors to watch for in regard to this condition are progressive changes in the sound of the cat’s voice when it vocalizes and an unwillingness or inability to eat. If you observe the following symptoms, it is important that you make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately as your cat may be in significant pain and possibly suffering from a life-threatening condition:
- Progressive change in voice, hoarseness
- Inability to vocalize
- Labored breathing due to obstruction of airways
- Coughing, which is a rare behavior for cats
- Lethargy and exercise intolerance
- Loss of appetite, possibly due to the pain caused by swallowing
- Loss of weight
Causes of Throat Cancer in Cats
There are several different kinds of cancer that could result in tumors in your cat, although overall, tumors in the throat and larynx are quite rare. In most cases of cancer in a cat, your vet will likely spend much more time on diagnosis and treatment options than trying to determine what might have contributed to your cat’s development of cancer. The following information, however, may be of help to you as you seek treatment for your cat.
- Causes are not fully clear for many types of cancer.
- If your cat has lymphoma tumors in its throat, the cause of those tumors could possibly be connected to feline leukemia virus (FeLV), but this connection is less likely than in the past because most cats now receive FeLV vaccinations.
- The feline AIDS virus (FIV) has also been connected to lymphoma in some cases.
- Some studies have shown a connection with long-term exposure to smoke.
- Genetics and environmental exposure to toxins and chemicals likely play a role too
Diagnosis of Throat Cancer in Cats
Your veterinarian will ask you about the symptoms you have observed in your cat. As a part of a thorough physical examination, if you have described the above symptoms to your vet, the vet will likely examine the throat and larynx using an endoscope. The vet will be looking for anything that might be obstructing your cat’s airway or making it difficult for your cat to swallow. If the vet finds tumors in the throat and larynx, biopsies can be done to determine if the tumors are cancerous. If the vet cannot see any tumors or other obstructions, X-rays of the throat and larynx may be necessary. These x-rays may be ordered even if the vet is able to find tumors with the endoscope, in order to determine the size and exact location of the tumors. In addition, the vet will likely take blood, urine, and feces samples for testing as well.
Treatment of Throat Cancer in Cats
Treatments will vary based upon the location of tumors, the kind of cancer, the rate of growth and invasiveness of the cancer, how advanced the cancer is, the age and health of the cat, and the willingness of pet owners to undertake what can be very costly treatments. In addition, it must be noted that aggressive cancer treatments will likely be a very difficult experience for your cat. Your veterinarian is your best resource for determining how to treat your cat’s condition. In most cases of throat cancer in cats, one or more of the following treatments will likely be used.
- Surgical removal of the tumors
- Chemotherapy, which can sometimes cause nausea and vomiting
- Radiation therapy, which can sometimes cause mouth inflammation
- High-quality nutritional diet to aid in the healing process
- Medications for pain management
Because throat cancer in cats is quite rare, there is very little data that can help a veterinarian and pet owner make educated predictions of long-term prognosis for cats with throat cancer.
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Recovery of Throat Cancer in Cats
If your cat has had surgery to remove tumors, it will likely take several days to a few weeks for it to heal. Your cat will usually require pain medications during the healing process. As is the case with humans and many other animals, after chemotherapy and radiation treatments are completed it can take several weeks or months for a cat to recover strength and appetite. Although there is little data available regarding throat cancer in cats, any time cancer has been treated, there is always the possibility that the cancer will return.
Throat Cancer Average Cost
From 441 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $10,000
Average Cost
$8,000
Top
Throat Cancer Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Tabby
One Year
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lump
I just noticed a small lump on the side of my cats throat. Right below the ear. It's the size of a blueberry. Should I take him to the vet?
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
9 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Without being able to see the lump, unfortunately, I'm not sure if it is a lump that you should be concerned about. Some lumps are benign and resolve, and some can be a problem. Your cat is young, so the chance that it is a tumor is low, but if it is growing or not going away, It would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet and see what might be causing this, and let you know what treatment might help.
Oct. 11, 2020
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American short-hair
Three Years
18 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Larhe Round Lump Right Side Of Neck
It seems over the past week my cat developed a large round hard bump inside the right side of his throat. He still meows and eats and drinks. But it grew so fast.
July 30, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
18 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Any large, rapidly growing lump should be checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Since this lump does not seem to be getting better, that would likely be a good idea. They will be able to examine him, see what might be going on, and let you know what options there are for treatment.
I hope that all goes well!
July 30, 2020
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Cat
Ten Months
13 found this helpful
13 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lump On His Throat On Left Side
A large lump under his neck on the left side around jaw and neck
July 17, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
13 Recommendations
hello,
This can be an abscess or mass forming. There are also lymph nodes and salivary glands that live in this area. If the swelling does not go down, it would be best for your cat to see your vet. They can start your cat on medication to help decrease this swelling.
I hope your cat gets to feeling better soon.
July 17, 2020
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Bengal
Kitkat
7 Months
8 found this helpful
8 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lump
My cat is having a lump in its throat not just one but 4. 2 lumps on both sides. Well there's nothing seem so weird with her actions its just that every time i pet her it makes me worry because i can really feel the lumps
July 19, 2018
8 Recommendations
Any new lumps or bumps should be checked by your Veterinarian to determine where these lumps are originating from (lymph nodes, salivary glands etc…) and the underlying cause; without examining KitKat myself I cannot say with certainty what the cause is. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 20, 2018
Quote: "My cat is having a lump in its throat not just one but 4. 2 lumps on both sides"
My cat "Tux" has an identical problem-two, and they are hard lumps. He was fine for quite a while but now vomits and hides (he is a house cat). My vet wants $500 just to diagnose it. Tough decision, I love him but can't afford to follow through with surgery, which of course might not be successful. A dilemma.
Signed:
Dan. Tux's pet human
July 27, 2018
Dan M.
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American Shorthair
Oliver
3 Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seems Less Playful
My cat has a small oval shaped lump on the left side under his throat. It’s been there for about two weeks. It’s movable but doesn’t travel away from his throat area. It’s about the size of the tip of a pinky. Not sure what it is but hoping it’s not cancerous. He does not have the same on the other side on his throat.
June 5, 2018
7 Recommendations
There are many different structures in the neck around the throat area which may enlarge or cause some type of swelling, notably the thyroid gland (see image below) is a common cause and is located below the larynx either side; you should have your Veterinarian check the mass to determine its origin and to make a diagnosis. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A2NRGGKWivo/maxresdefault.jpg
June 6, 2018
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domestic short hair
Samantha
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lost Voice, Eating Less, Lethargic
My poor baby Samantha was recently diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma AND a possible carcinoma on her larynx. Tests performed were X-rays, Endoscopic biopsies, and throat needle biopsy. Samantha is increasingly finding it hard to breathe, and she is starting to wheeze and has lost interest in food and all else besides sleeping (she still likes to cuddle). The vet says that there's nothing that can be done for the Laryngeal mass, and that she has limited time left. I just wish I knew when is the time has come to finally put my baby to rest. I love her so much.
American Shorthair
C-C
Seven Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Labored Breathing
Loss Of Apetite
Eye/Nose Drainage (Maybe The Pneum)
Was shocked today to have to put our 7-year old tabby to sleep due to a throat tumor. The veterinarian said she couldn’t even fit some type of small tube in to help her out.
Today is November 8th. Took her in initially on October 14th due to wheezing, drainage from eyes, lack of appetite, weight loss. Was diagnosed as an upper respiratory infection at that point. She received an antibiotic shot, steroids and appetite stimulant. Seemed to be breathing much easier within a few hours! That lasted six days. Back to veterinarian (three different ones at same practice). Gave her another shot, sent us home with oral antibiotics. Could not get them into her at all. Last night, back in, and another shot with thoughts that it could be pneumonia.
This morning, the breathing was worse, with gasping. The same shot that had helped the first time seemed to have worsened symptoms this time. Today was day four of not eating, no matter what we tried. Office requested she come back in because last night, they had instructed that if she wasn’t eating by tomorrow, she should be hospitalized to monitor and receive stronger IV antibiotics.
But her breathing really concerned me too much to wait one more day. They put her on oxygen because she was turning blue by the time we got there. Took an X-ray to diagnose the pneumonia - ended up seeing that a large throat tumor was compressing and THAT is what was making the poor girl’s breathing so labored and difficult.
FWIW, we are not a smoking house, lost our other 20-year old cat in August. She was spayed, adopted at the age of two from the humane society. I was shocked. I kind of got the feeling the staff was as well since each vet had told us how common URIs are in cats.
Throat Cancer Average Cost
From 441 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $10,000
Average Cost
$8,000
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
