Early diagnosis can sometimes reduce the impact of this widespread disease. Here’s what you should know to protect your cat.

By Tom Ewing

Frightening to ponder, but nevertheless a fact: All cats — no matter how pampered, how old, how young, how well fed or how well protected they are from the many dangers lurking beyond their doorsteps — are at potential risk for falling victim to cancer.

There is some evidence that some breeds — Siamese, Himalayans and Persians (above) — are at greater risk for lymphoma.

If undetected and untreated until it has progressed to an advanced stage — marked by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells throughout the body — cancer is very likely to be fatal. As in human cancer, however, many feline cancers are manageable — perhaps even curable — if the signs of the condition are recognized early and the patient is given prompt and expert veterinary care.…

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