A Spinal Tumor in a Cat

A cat's spine is a vital part of its central nervous system. The spinal cord relays sensory messages from the rest of the body, provides support and processes reflexive reactions. A cat with a spinal cord injury is paralyzed below the site of the injury and may suffer numerous other health problems. If a cat's spinal cord is severely damaged, the cat may die. Consequently, a spinal cord tumor is a life-threatening illness. These tumors usually occur in overweight and large-breed cats; about a quarter of these cases occur in cats under the age of 3.

  1. Symptoms

    • Because the spine receives neuron impulses from all areas of the body, the symptoms of a spinal tumor are extremely varied. The most common symptoms of a spinal tumor are paralysis, limping and awkward movements, particularly on one side of the body. However, any sudden loss of function in any area of the body may indicate a neurological problem. Consult your vet if your cat experiences incontinence, hearing or vision problems, sudden behavioral changes or seizures.

    Diagnosis

    • Your veterinarian typically performs routine blood work to rule out other causes of spinal problems. If these tests are negative and she suspects a spinal tumor, she performs a spinal X-ray. Tumors don't always show up on X-rays, though, so your vet may also perform a bone marrow biopsy, MRI or myelogram, which injects dye into the spinal cord to make injuries and tumors more visible on X-rays.

    Treatment

    • Spinal tumors are treatable when they're attached to the vertebrae instead of the actual spinal cord. In these cases, your vet may opt to remove the tumor. If the tumor is attached to the spinal cord or if it has metastasized to other areas of the body, the prognosis isn't particularly good. Your vet may focus on providing palliative care in this case. The course of the illness is variable and somewhat unpredictable. Although cats with untreated spinal tumors ultimately die, they may live as long as six months with the disease prior to showing symptoms; they may also become ill in just a few weeks.

    Prevention

    • There are a number of things cat owners can do to decrease their cat's risk factors for spinal tumors. Avoid purchasing kittens from backyard breeders or who have parents with a history of cancer. Provide your cat with ample exercise so that it doesn't become overweight. Feed your cat a high-protein, meat-based diet without filler such as grains, rice or corn. Cats with a history of spinal injuries may be more prone to spinal cancer. The cellular repair process can go awry in these cases, leading to a tumor. Keep your cat inside, which minimizes the risk of spinal injuries.