Cancer and tumors can affect any part of a cat’s body, even their eyes. Fortunately, eye tumors in cats are uncommon, if not rare. Unfortunately, they tend to be cancerous more often than benign and are quite aggressive. Cancers can arise from any and all structures related to the eye, including the tissues surrounding it, so there are many variations. Here, we review the most common types of cat eye tumors so you can learn what they look like, what causes them, and what can be done about them.
What is a Cat Eye Tumor?
Eye tumors in cats are any abnormal growths on the eyeball itself, on the surface of the eye, or in the surrounding tissues, including the eyelids and conjunctiva. These tumors can have many different versions, depending on where they come from. However, most are malignant or cancerous, and they tend to grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
Primary eye tumors arise directly from structures in and around the eye. Secondary tumors that have spread from other parts of the body are possible but not as commonly seen. The most common eye tumors in cats are melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and post-traumatic ocular sarcoma.
Eye cancer tends to originate in one eye but can be seen in cases of secondary tumors that have traveled from other parts of the body. Since eye tumors in cats tend to be very aggressive, it is important to identify them as early as possible in order to perform treatment for the best results.
What do eye tumors look like in cats?
The first thing you’ll likely see with a cat eye tumor is a kitten with sore eyes. They may rub or close their eyes due to discomfort. There may also be a significant amount of tearing or shedding. The pain may be caused by irritation to the eyeball, conjunctiva from the tumor itself, or increased pressure inside the eye caused by the tumor disrupting the normal fluid cycle.
Any lumps or spots on the eyelid or conjunctiva tend to be pink or red, rough, and irregular in shape. Often it is like a wound that does not heal and instead gets worse. These types of tumors are usually squamous cell carcinoma and are more common in white cats and those with light colors around their eyes.
Tumors inside the eye often appear as dark, irregularly shaped spots that creep over the surface of the eye. These are likely melanoma and will look like melanoma on the skin. Tumors inside the eye can cause glaucoma, or increased pressure that can cause the eyeball to enlarge or even move a little farther than normal.
Post-traumatic ocular sarcomas usually appear following an eye injury or chronic inflammation. In this case, you are probably already facing an eye issue in your cat, followed by glaucoma or even narrowing of the eyeball.
What are the causes of eye tumors in cats?
Feline eye tumors are relatively rare, but when they do occur, they are likely the result of a combination of factors, from genetics to the environment. Sun exposure may be associated with squamous cell carcinomas in the eyelids and surrounding tissues of white-colored cats. UV light can also be linked to melanomas inside the eye.
Post-traumatic ocular sarcomas are tumors that can follow injuries or diseases of the eye, such as chronic uveitis. These tumors often take several years to show up, so you may not associate the first issue with the tumor when it finally appears. There can also be a viral component to some feline eye cancers, with the feline leukemia virus being the main culprit, increasing the risk for secondary feline eye lymphoma.
The exact cause of cat eye tumors may not be determined in each case, but your veterinarian should be able to diagnose the specific type of tumor your cat has.
How Are Cat Eye Tumors Diagnosed?
Take your kitten to the vet when you start to notice signs of discomfort, such as redness, watering, or rubbing of the eye. Your vet will take it from there, performing a thorough eye exam, testing internal pressures, running bloodwork, and possibly, doing an ultrasound of the eye to determine the cause of the issue. A chest X-ray may also be taken to see if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
Your vet may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist for further testing, or they may take a biopsy of the tumor to find out where it’s made of. It may be necessary to remove the eye to biopsy tumors growing inside.
How Do I Care for a Cat With an Eye Tumor?
Treatment of eye tumors depends on the type you are dealing with. Squamous cell carcinomas or other types of tumors on the eyelids and conjunctiva can be removed surgically using laser or cryotherapy. Larger tumors may require removal of the eyeball, otherwise known as enucleation, along with the surrounding tissue and potentially, radiation or chemotherapy.
Eye tumors can be treated by a veterinary ophthalmologist or oncologist with laser removal +/- radiation and chemotherapy, depending on where the tumor is. However, the most common treatment for these tumors or those inside the eyeball is to remove the entire eyeball if the tumor has not spread to the lungs or other parts of the body. Any underlying conditions should also be treated.
Removing the eye may seem like a scary prospect, but it’s important to know that enucleation will not only cure most ocular tumors that haven’t spread but also that cats often adjust well to life with one eye. They will need a little help from you in the beginning but they can lead a relatively normal, healthy life afterwards.
Following enucleation, you will need to monitor your cat’s incision for drainage, redness, and odor. They may be prescribed antibiotics and pain medication. Help them by placing all their necessities, such as food and water bowls, litter boxes, and beds in easy-to-reach places, preferably on the floor for the first two weeks while they get used to their new territory. vision and deep perception. Over time, you can gradually move these things back to where you want them, while still offering your cat lots of praise and affirmation and helping them as needed.
Within a few weeks, most cats will feel comfortable in their surroundings and can return to their normal lives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can cat eye tumors be prevented?
While there is no significant way to prevent eye tumors in cats, you can help by reducing the amount of sun exposure your kitty gets, especially if it’s bright. Also, make sure your cat is up to date on vaccinations and help prevent eye injuries by supervising all contact with unfamiliar animals.
Is Cat Eye Cancer Painful?
Tumors in and around the eye are often painful for cats. They can cause redness and swelling of the tissues around the eye, or they can increase internal pressure, causing the eye to grow and bulge. Cats with eye cancer often squint, have excessive watering or discharge, and repeatedly gnaw or rub their eye, all of which are signs of the disease.
Conclusion
Feline eye tumors are relatively uncommon issues with our feline friends. However, when they do appear, they tend to be cancerous and aggressive. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent the tumor from spreading to other parts of the body. Eye issues are not a problem, so be sure to see your vet whenever your kitten shows any signs of discomfort, redness, or tearing in their eyes.
Featured Image Credit: Todorean_Gabriel, Shutterstock
