4470 El Camino Real

Los Altos, California 94022

Veterinarian Always on Duty

Chest Lymphoma in a Cat

Sam was just one year old when he presented for a complaint of coughing. Before the coughing had started he had been a healthy, playful, indoor cat. He was still very active on presentation , but one of his owners noted that he seemed a little slower than normal. On physical exam his temperature was not elevated, and his general body condition seemed normal. However, on auscultation of (listening to) his lungs, we noted that his lung sounds were louder than normal.

We performed a chest radiograph, where we thought we would see evidence of bronchitis, a fairly common cause for coughing in cats. However, much to our surprise and dismay, he had what appeared to be a space-occupying mass in the cranial (front) part of his chest. Next we performed an ultrasound exam, which indeed confirmed there was a soft tissue mass cranial to his heart. We inserted a needle into the mass, using the ultrasound as a guide, and obtained a sample. This aspirate sample was submitted to a lab for a pathologist's review.

The cytology report revealed that Sam had a high grade lymphoma, a cancer. We contacted a local veterinary oncologist who recommended radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Sam has gone through the entire course of radiation therapy at the oncologist's practice, and has received chemotherapy here at Adobe Animal Hospital. Sam's mass is no longer visible on radiographs or ultrasound, and he is feeling GREAT! His owners report that he is back to being a playful, young cat.

Although it is extremely unusual for young dogs and cats to develop cancer, unfortunately it can occur, as evident in Sam's case. However, the good news is that these diseases can sometimes be very well controlled and the et can go back to leading a happy life.

Date: November 2005

Species: Cat

Diagnosis: High grade lymphoma

Doctor: Jennifer Koga

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