Cancer can be challenging to detect, even with thorough blood tests. While one in five cats will be diagnosed with cancer1, it’s a disease that can remain well hidden for a time. Cats are also known to hide their pain instinctually, so it can be challenging to know for sure if a cat has cancer until the later stages.
A blood test may point to some cancers, but it doesn’t provide a comprehensive diagnosis or understanding of all cancers. Most cancers do not have a specific blood test to check for them. Here’s what we know so far about blood tests and how veterinarians can detect cancer in cats.
Some Blood Tests Can Detect Some Cancers
Most types of cancer cannot be identified through blood tests alone. However, some tests can narrow down a diagnosis. Some cancerous tumors affect the organ they are growing in or cause paraneoplastic syndromes, resulting in changes when examining a blood sample. Blood samples can be run to examine enzyme markers for organs and blood cell counts. They can also be assessed under the microscope to look for changes in cell shapes.
For instance, blood work can increase the suspicion of cancer through white blood cell counts. Leukemia is a group of cancers that alter the number of white blood cells in the bloodstream. So, if a cat’s lab results show significant alterations in white blood cells, it could be a marker for leukemia. However, infections and parasites, amongst other things, can also cause changes.
Anemia is a reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells or a reduction in their oxygen-carrying ability. It can have several causes. Some cancers result in anemia, which can indicate that further investigation is needed.
Veterinarians may also perform blood tests to examine thymidine kinase (TK) and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels. Elevated levels of TK and CRP can be linked to certain cancers but, again, not exclusively, so they need to be interpreted carefully.
Cats with feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus are more likely to develop cancers, and these viruses can be tested for with an in-clinic kit.
Other Ways Veterinarians Diagnose Cancer in Cats
As we can see, blood tests are helpful in determining a cat’s overall health but not necessarily in detecting cancer. There are several other methods that veterinarians can use to diagnose cancer. First, they will take a thorough history from you, the owner, detailing any concerns or changes you have noted. Next comes the physical examination to feel, look, and listen for abnormalities. Checking temperatures and changes in weight are also helpful.
If a lump is found, the vet may use a fine needle aspirate (FNA). This minimally invasive procedure can provide more information on the mass and determine whether it’s malignant or benign by drawing out several cells that can be examined under a microscope. FNA has limitations, and at times, a surgical biopsy may be needed.
Vets may then need to move on to other testing, such as X-rays and ultrasound, to assess the structures in the body. A urinalysis can also reveal certain types of cancer, such as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), and the health of the urinary tract system.
Blood samples provide insight into your cat’s health and are important in cancer patients and those undergoing treatment. However, no blood test can confirm or rule out all cancers.
Conclusion
When it comes to using blood tests to detect cancer in cats, veterinarians cannot rely on them without performing other tests. They usually have to combine a series of tests to determine if a cat has developed cancer.
One of the best chances of catching cancer in the early phases is to be on top of getting your cat to the veterinarian’s office for routine checkups and monitoring for changes at home. Not only do these checkups look for abnormalities, but they’ll also help your veterinarian better understand your cat as an individual.
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- Ataxia In Cats – Definition, Causes, And Treatment (Vet Answer)
- What and When Is Pet Cancer Awareness Month?
Featured Image Credit: PRESSLAB, Shutterstock
