PETSApril• 2018 | 25EXCESSIVE HIDINGCats love a
good hiding spot, but if your kitty
is increasingly retreating to hard-
to-reach places, it could signal that
something’s wrong. “Owners often tell
me they notice when their cat is ill if
they’re usually social but have been
spending more time in new hiding
spots,” says veterinarian Dr Jake
Zaidel. Excessive hiding is a general
sign that something is of with your
cat – not necessarily cancer – so it’s
agoodideatoseeavet.WEIGHT LOSShis is the main
symptom of cat cancer Zaidel
says he sees. It’s often the sign of
a gastrointestinal tumour. “When
cats don’t want to eat, that’s very
concerning,” he says. Cancer
can also cause cats to los
weight while maintainin
their regular appetite.
If your cat is losing
weight, see your vet.MOUTH CHANGES
Sores, lumps, a
strange odour, bleedingor a change in gum colour can be
asignoforalcancer,particularly
in older cats. his cancer sign often
goes unnoticed because people
don’t examine their pet’s mouth
frequently enough. “Many oral
tumours can be really devastating
becausepeopledon’tindthem
untilit’sadvanced”,saysZaidel.NOSEBLEEDSare never normal,
says Dr Timothy Rocha, a veterinary
oncology specialist. “With an older
cat, a nosebleed is particularly
worrisome. It can be a sign of cancer
in the nose,” he says.DIARRHOEAor changes in litter
box habits. Occasional diarrhoea
usuallyisn’tasignofcancer,
ocha, but if it persists
ets worse, take
ur cat to the vet.
xcessive litter box
use, diiculty peeing
or moving bowels,
or blood in urine or
tool are also potential
ns of cancer.Warning Signs
of Cancer in Cats
BY ALYSSA JUNGPet cancer can be treated if detected early
PHOTO: ISTOCK