Nasal tumours in cats

If your cat has been diagnosed with a nasal tumour, knowing more about the disease can help you provide them with a better quality of life.

Nasal tumours represent about 1% of all feline cancers. 

What is a nasal tumour?

A nasal tumour is an uncontrolled growth of cells on the nose surface or in the nasal cavity. The majority of nasal tumours in cats are malignant and locally invasive, but do not usually spread to other organs. 

Nasal tumours can be an external squamous cell carcinoma, intranasal lymphoma or carcinoma. Intranasal tumour signs can mimic a foreign body in the nose, fungal or bacterial infections, chronic rhinitis, tooth root abscess, or blood clotting disorders.

What are common nasal tumour signs in cats?

Early signs include:

• Crusting on the nose
• Loud snoring
• Sneezing
• Reclusive behaviour
  

Intermediate or advanced signs include:

• Oozing lesion on the nose
• Rubbing or pawing at the nose
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Eye discharge
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Facial deformity
• Disorientation
  

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How are nasal tumours managed in cats? 

The first step in nasal tumour management in cats is addressing pain and any underlying infection. The preferred treatment is radiation therapy, but chemotherapy may be considered. Cryotherapy or surgery can be used for a small squamous cell carcinoma. 

Cats with nasal tumours need regular veterinary visits to monitor their status and prognosis. Discussing a personalised management plan with your vet and a veterinary oncologist is important for the best outcome for your cat.

What is the prognosis for cats?

The prognosis depends on the tumour type and how early the cancer was treated. Without treatment, the median survival time for cats with a nasal tumour is less than three months. 

Complete squamous cell carcinoma excision can be curative. The median survival time for cats after radiation therapy ranges from 6 to 18 months.

Management tips for a cat with nasal tumours

At-home needs include:

• Easy access to food, water, and litter box, and a comfortable location
• Consistency with any prescribed medications
• Monitoring breathing, nasal appearance and discharge, appetite and energy level
• Avoiding smoking in the house and using an air purifier
• Keeping your cat with a squamous cell carcinoma out of the sun
  

For end-of-life care:

• Try to keep your cat safe and comfortable
• Ensure they get adequate nutrition and hydration
• Monitor for pain or discomfort
• Evaluate your cat’s quality of life with our scoring tool, here 
  

In a crisis:

Immediately contact your vet if your cat has uncontrollable bleeding, excessive sneezing, or difficulty breathing; appears disoriented; collapses; or vocalises in pain.

It is vital to begin end-of-life care discussions before your cat’s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life. 

Don’t wait until the very end. It’s important to consider your pet’s end-of-life journey early, so that you, your family and your pet are all supported through the process.

When the time comes, we’re here for you. Goodbye Good Boy provides a range of end-of-life services to make the difficult process of saying goodbye a little easier. 

We offer quality of life assessments from qualified vets, specialist grief counselling, at home euthanasia from dedicated end of life veterinarians, as well as cremation services and memorial options to help remember your pet for their unique character.

We are with you at every step of the journey.

To find out more, you can call our team of passionate pet lovers on 1800 953 619.

This article was reproduced with permission from Goodbye Good Boy advisor Dr Dani McVety, of Lap Of Love.