Which is the best way to diagnose feline intestinal lymphoma?
The most definitive way to diagnose feline intestinal lymphoma is with a sample of affected tissue. This sample can either be a biopsy (large piece of tissue) or ultrasound-guided FNA. Your vet can take a biopsy using endoscopy or surgery. Each procedure, which require anesthesia, has its advantages and disadvantages:
Is there a cure for feline intestinal lymphoma?
Even if the tumor appears localized, removing the mass will not cure feline intestinal lymphoma. Chemotherapy will be necessary if the cat is going to survive. Cats tend to tolerate chemotherapy well. They may experience a lack of appetite, vomiting, and fatigue.
When to take your cat to the vet for lymphoma?
Intestinal lymphoma requires veterinary treatment, so it will be important for you to recognize the signs of this cancer and take your cat to your vet for a diagnosis. Write down when you first notice symptoms. Feline intestinal lymphoma progresses slowly, with symptoms gradually getting worse over one to three months.
How to get a biopsy from a cat’s intestine?
Another way to obtain a biopsy from the intestine is through endoscopy. The cat is sedated and instruments are passed down her throat, through her stomach and into her intestine to obtain a sample. This is a less invasive procedure than surgery, but does not allow for a full-thickness sample to be obtained.
The most definitive way to diagnose feline intestinal lymphoma is with a sample of affected tissue. This sample can either be a biopsy (large piece of tissue) or ultrasound-guided FNA. Your vet can take a biopsy using endoscopy or surgery. Each procedure, which require anesthesia, has its advantages and disadvantages:
What to do if your cat has GI lymphoma?
Treatment Options If your cat is found to have GI lymphoma, the most likely treatment will be chemotherapy. Lymphoma is one of the most responsive cancers to chemotherapy, so that is a good front line option.
How does a veterinarian diagnose GI lymphoma?
Only a veterinarian can make a definitive diagnosis, based on patient history, observed symptoms, and a physical examination. If GI lymphoma appears likely, your vet may order addition tests, like a biopsy of intestinal growths, x-ray or ultrasound scan, or complete blood workup.
What’s the prognosis for a cat with lymphoma?
The prognosis for lymphoma depends on the location of the lymphoma, how sick the cat is at the start of treatment, the cat’s feline leukemia status, and how quickly the disease is diagnosed and treated. Most cases of gastrointestinal lymphoma are low-grade lymphoma.