Warts in cats. Moles and other age spots in cats Videos and Illustrations

Papillomas, or warts in cats, are benign skin formations similar to cauliflower inflorescences that are found not only in humans. These new growths can be different in shape, and the size ranges from the size of a millet grain to a pea or more. The color of warts can also vary, from flesh-colored to gray or yellowish. The tumor may have a small stalk or, conversely, fit tightly to the animal’s body.

Papillomas in cats are found in the ears, paws, head, neck, as well as on the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyelids and lips.

Causes of papillomas in cats

It is believed that the formation of warts is caused by the papilloma virus. Cats can contract this virus during periods of weakened immunity, for example, after a long illness, use of medications, or after giving birth. Also, kittens are especially susceptible to the papilloma virus due to immature immunity and older cats due to weakened body defenses. To become infected with the virus, contact with an animal carrying the papilloma virus is necessary.

I would like to note that the feline papillomavirus is not dangerous to human health. Just like a person with the papilloma virus is not dangerous for an animal.

Symptoms of warts in cats

Warts can appear on a cat's body 1-2 months after infection with the papilloma virus.

• decreased appetite;
• lethargy;
• the appearance on the body of an animal of formations of different sizes, either a single appearance or a group of interconnected tumors;
• Some warts can cause itching and discomfort for your pet, resulting in small bleeding wounds.

Diagnosis of papillomas in cats

Only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

To make a diagnosis, the doctor can take a blood test from the animal, as well as a biopsy (cleavage) of the tumor for a detailed analysis and determine the nature of the tumor.

Treatment of papillomas in cats

To stimulate the body's immune defense, immunostimulants (Gamavit, Canina Immunoprotect, Maksidin, Roncoleukin) and vitamin complexes are used.

If the wart itches and the cat scratches it, then to prevent infection the neoplasm is treated with antiseptic ointments or solutions, for example, alcohol iodine solution, chlorhexidine, decasan, hydrogen peroxide, betadine ointment, pantestine, etc.

It should be noted that treating mucous membranes with the above drugs without a doctor’s prescription is contraindicated!

Papillomas and warts in cats appear under the influence of certain viruses, when the animal’s immunity is weakened. Benign neoplasms can have different sizes and can appear in different parts of the body. Neoplasms carry a certain risk, especially if they form in the animal’s oral cavity. The formation of papillomas and warts is influenced by hereditary factors and the age of the pet.

The main reasons why papillomas appear in an animal are as follows:

1. Weakened immunity. This condition in an animal is observed after serious illnesses, after childbirth or taking certain medications.
2. Age characteristics of the pet. In kittens, papillomas appear due to unstable immunity, in older cats due to weakening of the body's protective properties.
3. Hereditary predisposition of the animal.

The papilloma virus comes out of latency also under the influence of:

• Severe stress;
• Chronic viral infections.

Warts and papillomas are benign tumors. Spontaneous recovery from papillomatosis or degeneration of papillomas into malignant formations, causing the death of the cat, are practically possible.

At risk are animals that are kept in large groups in unsatisfactory sanitary and hygienic conditions.

Papillomas can be transmitted by contact with an animal carrying the papilloma virus.

Infection can also occur through damaged epidermis, bleeding wounds, abrasions, and through scarified mucous membranes.

Transplacental transmission of papillomaviruses is also possible. Experts highlight the possibility of sexual transmission.

Symptoms

Papillomas and warts appear on the animal’s body 2 months after infection.

May be observed:

Diagnostics

The veterinarian begins the diagnosis with a visual examination of the sick cat, recording clinical signs of pathology. Subsequently, comprehensive laboratory tests are carried out and tests are taken.

Test systems used:

• Immunohistochemical staining methods;
• Histological examinations.

Methods are also used:

• Electron microscopy;
• Polymerase chain reaction.

Probable locations of papillomas on the body

Characteristic symptoms of infectious papillomatosis are the occurrence of focal lesions on the mucous membranes of the mouth, the formation of pathogenic neoplasms on the outer surface of the tongue and lips. The disease is progressive and over time, papillomas can appear on the palate, pharyngeal mucosa, and nose.

At the initial phase of appearance, papules have a smooth structure. Over time, the number of lesions increases, uneven growth of the mucous membrane occurs, which provokes changes in the appearance and structure of papillomas. The number of papillomas gradually increases; in severe cases, they can cover the cheeks, gums, and can appear in the ears, on the paws, on the head, near the urethra, on the gastrointestinal tract, on the eyelids, and on the conjunctiva of infected animals.

Papillomas in the mouth cause discomfort when eating food; sick individuals may experience fever, excessive salivation, refusal to feed, bleeding in the mouth, and attacks of vomiting.

Neoplasms on the paws and ears can provoke serious inflammatory lesions, since the limbs are constantly in contact with the surface of the floor or ground, and there is a danger of ticks in the ears.

The external genitalia can also be affected; painful wounds and nodular formations are often observed here.

Treatment of papillomas in cats with novocaine

An effective way to treat papillomas is an injection of a 0.5% novocaine solution. For one kilogram of animal weight, 1 ml of solution is injected. The solution should be injected under the base of the wart.

The manipulation is repeated three times with an interval of 3 days between injections.

The following schedule is more effective: one injection of 0.5% novocaine at the base of the papilloma, then injection of a 10% solution
iodoform ether. The dose of these medications should be 0.5 ml.

In cases where a cat has a jugular process, use a 5% solution of novocaine, the procedure is repeated 3 times with an interval of 4 days, with a dose of 3 ml.

Treatment at home

It is not recommended to organize treatment without a preliminary medical examination and examination using skin scrapings and biopsies (if necessary). The question is that cat owners often confuse malignant tumors and seborrhea on the cat’s tail with ordinary warts.

At home, medications are used to treat papillomas:

• Gamavit;
• Maxidin.

The skin on the face and ears is tender, which is what causes severe itching when the appearance of a wart in the scalp. If a cat picks a wart with its claws, antihistamines to relieve itching (Suprastin) and anti-inflammatory ointments are used for disinfection. Most often used:

• Betadine;
• Levomekol;
• Chlorhexidine.

Removal of warts and papillomas

There are rare cases when papillomas disappear on their own. However, pathogenic formations generally require special treatment. If it slows down, the disease will progress, causing discomfort to the animal. Clinical treatment is prescribed taking into account the extent of the infection, the number and size of papillomas.

Cats are prescribed:

1. Antimicrobials;
2. Antibiotics, taking into account their action aimed at destroying bacteria in the bloodstream.

Local treatment is also carried out by removing papillomas and
warts

Papillomas are removed:

1. Liquid nitrogen;
2. A beam of laser beams;
3. By radiation.

After removal, the animal recorded a complete recovery. The process is completely safe for the pet’s body.

After removal, the following is prescribed as additional therapy:

1. Immunostimulating agents;
2. Vitamins;
3. Mineral supplements.

Are papillomas in cats contagious to humans?

The virus from which cats become infected with papilloma is highly specific. It only works on cats, and is even safe for dogs. For the human body, such a virus is also not dangerous; a person cannot become infected with it.

You need to constantly monitor the cleanliness of your beloved pet’s skin, ears and paws. If symptoms appear, do not hesitate to visit the veterinarian. Quick and accurate diagnosis is the key to your pet’s complete recovery.

The picture of Baba Yaga, whose nose was invariably decorated with a wart of frightening proportions, is probably familiar to anyone who has ever read fairy tales in childhood. Do you know that such benign skin tumors can occur not only in mythical characters, but also in our pets? For example, papilloma in a cat.

As we have already said, the term “papilloma” refers to a benign skin tumor. Until relatively recently, the causes of this disease remained unknown, but several years ago researchers established for certain that they grow due to the action of viruses belonging to the large family Papillomaviridae. As a rule, papillomas in cats are black, with a loose and somewhat spongy surface, noticeably protruding above the surface of the skin. Most often they appear on the head. So why are these tumors dangerous if they are benign types of tumors?

It's simple. In veterinary practice, cases have been repeatedly recorded in which papillomatosis progressed and degenerated, turning into various forms of skin cancer. A harmless “mole” on the neck may well mutate into sarcoma. In dogs this phenomenon is relatively rare, but in cats it is a different matter. If a papilloma is in a cat’s mouth, then the risk of its degeneration increases many times over.

Of course, it is simply pointless to consider the symptoms of this disease separately. The symptoms are simple and include the visible presence of warts. You can see them in the photo in the article. Specific signs depend on the location of the pathological process. So, if a neoplasm has developed in the mouth, there is increased secretion of saliva, bad breath, and the cat cannot drink or eat normally. As a rule, growths localized on the body do not cause any particular inconvenience to the animal.

Read also: Enterocolitis in cats - signs and treatment of intestinal inflammation

Are there other causes of warts?

There is an assumption that in some cases viruses may not be related to the wart that appears in a cat. In particular, in old animals with a severely weakened immune system that can no longer perform its functions normally, tumors of a different nature may appear. In some cases, they are initially malignant in nature. In addition, it may be due to some autoimmune diseases that are inherited. This version is indirectly confirmed by experienced breeders: if the parent animals had papillomas, then their descendants will have them with a very high degree of probability.

But these are still special cases. The main cause is Papillomaviridae viruses. The most surprising thing is that some branches of cat breeds, as it turns out, inherit this disease, since the genome of the virus is already present in their cells “by default.” Simply put, it is virtually impossible to somehow prevent the appearance of warts in such animals. By the way, are papillomas transmitted to humans? No. The virus has extreme specificity; each animal species has its own pathogen. There is no danger for the owners.

Melanoma is most often observed in cats whose age is 10-12 years. After the 12-year threshold, the incidence rate decreases. There is no natural predisposition in animals.

Mostly skin melanoma occurs, sometimes breast tumors and lymphosarcoma can occur. Damage to internal organs and bones is rare.

Symptoms

Neoplasms in cats differ in that seals appear on the body. But it is quite difficult to notice them, since usually no one probes their animal every day.

When internal organs are damaged, significant changes in the pet’s condition are noted:

• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• metabolic disorders;
• neurological symptoms;
• changes in blood composition;
• respiratory problems.

Secondary characteristics:

• ascites;
• cough;
• shortness of breath, vomiting.

If a tumor in cats forms in the skin, its growth is slow. Metastasis is observed only in late stages. When a tumor grows on the mucous membranes, it grows faster and metastasizes to the lymph nodes. Melanoma in this case is prone to bleeding.

The tumor metastasizes through the blood or lymph. Those nodes that are located close to the formation are most often affected. Metastases into the dermis may be observed; they look like small dark rashes. Metastases that are transmitted through the blood can appear in various organs. The adrenal glands, brain, and liver are most often affected.

Features of the course of the disease

• Pigmented melanoma occurs in only 1% of cats.
• There is a tendency to dissemination; metastases occur both hematogenously and lymphogenously.
• The most aggressive tumor is considered to be localized at the junctions of the skin and mucous membrane, in the scrotum area, near the nail.
• Treatment should be given preference to surgical intervention, but for tumors larger than 3 cm, cryodestructive surgery is recommended.
• Melanoma in animals has not been fully studied. Radiation does not play a role here; the tumor most often occurs in areas of the skin hidden under the fur.
• The tumor is most often observed in males. Moreover, their age exceeds the 10-year threshold.
• Metastasis often affects regional lymph nodes and skin. The lesion can be recognized by its external sign - the presence of many brown or black rashes.
• There are 4 histological types of tumors: nevus-like, epithelioid cell, mixed cell, spindle cell. Variants of melanomas can be non-pigmented and pigmented.

Diagnostic methods

A malignant tumor in cats is detected in several stages. Diagnosis is comprehensive: attention is paid to the size, color, thickness of the formation, smell, and localization. First, melanoma is examined without special means. Its external signs are assessed, then it is palpated, if necessary, palpation of the lymph nodes is carried out. Additional diagnostic methods may be used.

The most effective way to diagnose mucous membranes is cytological analysis. The material for research is taken from a lymph node or lesion.

Important! The presented analysis is taken only if treatment is carried out in the future, since excessive trauma has a negative effect on the tumor.

Treatment options

• If melanoma is found in the oral cavity in cats, surgical treatment will not be the main method. It is actively used only for tumors on the skin.
• For complex localization, neutron capture therapy is used. If the size of the formation is small (up to 2 centimeters), cryodestruction helps well. Radiation therapy may be used instead of neutron capture therapy as a palliative treatment for cats. Sometimes it can completely cure melanoma. Chemotherapy is practically not used. Immunotherapy is actively used in combination with other techniques - this makes it possible to delay the risk of developing metastases.
• Death in cats mainly occurs due to metastasis to internal organs. The sooner you contact a specialist, the greater the chance of curing your pet.
• If melanoma is located in a vital organ, surgical treatment is strictly contraindicated! If a decision is made to perform an excision, it is necessary to provide in advance for the possibility of plastic rehabilitation of the defect. Correctly performed surgery makes it possible to save or extend the life of a pet.

Forecasts

The prognosis is most often unfavorable. But much depends on the characteristics of the tumor - size, presence of ulcerations, depth, location. Bad signs are bleeding and ulceration.

Malignant tumors in pets are rare, but have an aggressive course. Neoplasms are characterized by metastasis and recurrence. The prognosis is unfavorable, but if the therapy is chosen correctly and the diagnosis is made at the initial stage of development, the pet has a great chance of surviving and recovering.