Feline Bladder Cancer: Symptoms and Vet-Approved Treatment Options
Maybe your cat has started making more frequent trips to the litter box, meows in pain when urinating, or has blood in its urine. Unfortunately, these symptoms could indicate bladder cancer—but they’re also common signs of urinary tract infections.
The good news, however, is that bladder cancer in cats is very rare. In this article, we'll cover how to recognize potential signs, understand the prognosis, and explore treatment options for feline bladder cancer.
What is Urinary Bladder Cancer in Cats?
Bladder cancer in cats is a rare but severe condition that involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the bladder. It may also originate in the kidneys, prostate gland, and urethra in some cases.
Benign tumor cells multiply chaotically, forming a mass that invades the urinary bladder. This mass can also spread to other parts of the body as in the case of malignant cancer.
Types of bladder cancer in cats
There are several types of bladder cancer, malignant and benign. Malignant bladder cancer in cats can be:
- Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) – It typically affects the transitional epithelial cells lining the bladder. It is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in cats.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) – A rare type of urinary bladder cancer.
- Adenocarcinoma (ADC) – An extremely rare type of cancer in cats. This type of cancer originates from glandular cells, which are not typically found in the bladder lining but could theoretically arise in areas with metaplastic changes or from remnants of embryonic tissue.
- Sarcoma – Hemangiosarcoma (HSA), Rhabdomyosarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, and Fibrosarcoma (FSA) – Rare types of bladder cancer. They originate from the connective tissue in the bladder.
Benign urinary tract tumors in bladder cancer in cats can be:
- Leiomyoma
- Fibroma
In general, bladder tumors and cancers occur in older cats. However, there are certain types of cancer that can occur at young ages (e.g., TCC 3-15 years old, leiomyoma 1-12 years old, adenocarcinoma 5-15 years old).
Bladder Cancer in Cats: Causes and Risk Factors
In general, the exact causes of cancer are not fully known, but nevertheless, there are some known risk factors, such as:
- Age – In general, bladder cancer occurs in older cats over 10 years old. However, even younger cats can develop this type of cancer.
- Genetic predisposition – Bladder cancer in cats is not as studied as that in dogs. The cat breed most frequently affected by this type of cancer is the Domestic Shorthair.
- Environmental exposures – Some chemicals (household cleaners, pesticides, and herbicides) or secondhand smoke can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. Cats are known for grooming themselves all day long, which is how they can inhale or ingest chemicals.
- Inflammation and chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) – Chronic inflammation of the bladder and recurrent UTIs represent risk factors that can lead to urinary tract tumors and bladder cancer.
Feline Urinary Bladder Cancer: Symptoms and Clinical Signs
Maybe your cat is having difficulty urinating, and you’ve started to wonder, could it be bladder cancer? While urination issues can have many causes like bladder stones and bladder infection, here are some common indicators to look out for, regardless of the specific type:
- Hematuria – You may notice blood in your cat’s urine
- Dysuria – Your cat may have difficulty urinating or may urinate in small amounts and frequently
- Pollakiuria – Frequent urination or repeated attempts to urinate
- Urinary obstruction – In severe cases, bladder tumors may cause blockages and your cat won’t be able to urinate at all
- Pain and/or discomfort – Your pet may exhibit signs of painful urination, as well as straining, vocalizing, or avoiding the litter box
- Urinary incontinence
- Weight loss
- Appetite loss
- Lethargy
However, if these signs occur, your cat may have a urinary tract infection (UTI), and that is why it is always best to talk to a veterinarian or a veterinary oncologist for a proper diagnosis.
Malignant bladder cancer can spread to surrounding tissues and other organs, such as lungs, liver, and/or lymph nodes. The signs will depend on the organ where the bladder cancer has spread.
Depending on the organ in which the bladder cancer has metastasized, you may observe the following symptoms (in addition to the signs mentioned above):
- Lymph nodes – The local lymph nodes are enlarged (they become palpable), especially those located near the bladder and in the abdomen (less common).
- Lungs – When your cat’s bladder cancer has spread to the lungs you may notice respiratory signs like panting, labored breathing, shortness of breath, and/or coughing.
- Bones – In rare cases, bladder cancer can spread to the bones. If this is your cat’s case, you may notice lameness, limping, reluctance to jump or move, bone pain, swelling, deformities, and fractures. In bone cancer, the bone becomes more brittle and fractures occur much more easily.
- Abdomen – Sometimes bladder cancer can spread in the abdominal cavity and cause pain, discomfort, swelling of the abdomen, and bloating.
- Liver – If your cat’s bladder cancer has spread to their liver, you may notice signs such as yellowing of the mucosa, eyes, and skin (jaundice) or vomiting.
- Kidneys – When the bladder carcinoma involves the kidneys, your pet may experience increased thirst and urination and, if the tumor affects the kidney function, you may observe signs of kidney failure (bad breath, depression, vomiting, dehydration).
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) staging in cats
Staging TCC helps the vet to determine the prognosis and the treatment plan.
- Stage I TCC – in this stage, the tumor is small in size because it is limited to the bladder mucosa. The signs may be mild or absent.
- Stage II TCC – in this stage, the tumor is grown and invades the muscular layers of the bladder wall. The signs are more noticeable.
- Stage III TCC – the cancer spreads to nearby tissues (urethra, ureters, lymph nodes). Due to its size, the tumor can block the urinary tract. The signs worsen.
- Stage IV TCC – this is the final stage. In this stage, TCC metastasizes (spreads to other organs—liver, lungs, kidney, and/or bones) and causes systemic effects.
What are the symptoms of end of life with urinary bladder cancer?
Severe appetite and weight loss, difficulty urinating and/or breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea are signs that your cat may have advanced or terminal bladder cancer (especially transitional cell carcinoma).
These symptoms result from the location of the tumor and the effects on the urinary system, but also from possible metastases to other organs.
How long can cats live with bladder cancer?
The lifespan of cats that suffer from bladder cancer, especially TCC, varies depending on the individual and the treatment prescribed. Therefore, cats that receive no treatment can live up to a month after diagnosis.
Cats that receive treatment (NSAIDs alone, NSAIDs combined with chemotherapy, and surgery) have a lifespan between 3-12 months. According to studies, the median survival time for cats with bladder TCC is as follows:
- Untreated cats – 46 days
- Treated cats without surgery (partial cystectomy) – 176 days
- Treated with surgery with or without treatment – 294 days
According to this study, it appears that cats that underwent partial cystectomy surgery (with or without treatment) lived longer.
When should I euthanize my cat with bladder cancer?
Choosing to euthanize a beloved pet is one of the most difficult decisions any owner can face. If your cat is suffering from bladder cancer, it’s important to carefully consider their quality of life since palliative care may still be an option in some cases.
When a cat is in pain and their quality of life has significantly declined, euthanasia can be a compassionate choice to prevent prolonged suffering. Remember, making this decision is an act of love, and it is a way to offer peace and comfort to your pet in their final days.
How Bladder Cancer is Diagnosed in Cats
The indicators of bladder cancer are similar to those of urinary infections, which means it can go undiagnosed without additional testing. To ensure an accurate diagnosis, veterinarians often rely on the following methods:
- Physical examination – The vet will examine your cat physically, trying to observe any sign of discomfort, pain, or visible abnormalities.
- Urinalysis – This test involving microscopic examination will reveal the presence of bloody urine, epithelial cells, leukocytes, bacteria, and other abnormalities in your cat's urine. A urine culture may also be performed.
- Imaging studies (abdominal ultrasound and x-rays) - These examinations allow the veterinarian or veterinary pathologist to identify changes that have occurred in your cat's body, especially in the urethra and urinary bladder.
- Cystoscopy – The vet will examine the inside of your cat's bladder wall with a tube containing a tiny camera (endoscope).
- Biopsy and blood tests – This procedure is recommended after imaging studies or cystoscopy. Tissue samples are collected from your cat's bladder to be examined under a microscope. This procedure provides a definitive diagnosis, including the type of bladder cancer (TCC, SC, etc.).
All these examinations and tests are needed to diagnose bladder cancer in pets properly.
Bladder Cancer in Cats: Prognosis
The prognosis for any condition varies depending on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis and the individual. In the case of bladder cancer in cats, the type of tumor (TCC, SC, etc.) and the available treatment methods are also taken into account.
Prognosis for Stage I bladder cancer in cats (early, localized)
If the bladder tumors are small and surgical treatment is possible with or without drug therapy, the prognosis can be good (i.e., there is a good chance of recovering).
Prognosis for Stages II and III bladder cancer in cats (infiltrative)
In stages II and III of bladder cancer, treatment options become more limited—especially in stage III, where the disease is more advanced.
Partial surgical removal of the tumor may be difficult or impossible, and drug treatments are often limited to slowing tumor progression and managing symptoms. In these cases, the prognosis is generally guarded, meaning the outlook may not be favorable.
Prognosis for Stage IV bladder cancer in cats (metastatic)
The prognosis in this stage of metastatic disease is generally unfavorable, as the cancer is advanced and may have spread to other organs.
What is the Treatment for Bladder Cancer in Cats?
There are multiple treatment options for bladder cancer in cats. These options depend on the type of cancer, its stage, and your cat's health. Bladder cancer treatment may include:
Stage I bladder cancer
The early stages of bladder cancer can sometimes go unnoticed as cats have subtle indicators. In this stage, bladder cancer in cats may respond to anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) with or without chemotherapy treatment.
NSAIDs can be piroxicam, meloxicam or firocoxib. Chemotherapy involves several drugs that can be given orally or intravenously (depending on the medication prescribed by the veterinarian).
Stage II bladder cancer
The indicators of bladder cancer begin to be visible, and your vet could recommend NSAIDs, chemotherapy, and bladder resection (through endoscopic resection or abdominal surgery) to remove part of the tumor and/or relieve obstruction if that is the case.
However, bladder surgery is challenging due to the urinary bladder’s anatomy.
Stage III bladder cancer
In this stage, the vet may recommend partial tumor removal surgery, as whole tumor removal is not always possible. Besides surgery, your vet can also recommend NSAIDs and chemotherapy.
Stage IV bladder cancer
If your cat has end-stage bladder cancer, your vet may recommend palliative treatment for a better quality of life. This treatment often includes pain drugs, anti-nausea medication, appetite stimulants, and IV or SQ fluids.
During this stage, humane euthanasia is also often recommended because the affected cat’s life is significantly compromised. In addition to these treatment options, the veterinarian may also recommend radiation therapy or immunotherapy.
Radiotherapy (also known as radiation therapy) is a treatment method used to fight bladder cancer in cats. This method uses radiation to destroy tumor cells.
It is a localized therapy method, acting directly on the cancerous cells in the urinary bladder. The goal is to stop the growth of the tumor, reduce its size, and eliminate the tumor cells. It can be used alone or with other therapy methods.
Immunotherapy is a treatment method that aims to stimulate the affected cat's immune system. Once stimulated, the immune system will recognize cancer cells and destroy them.
This method helps the body to use its own defense mechanisms to fight bladder cancer, unlike chemotherapy which attacks cancer cells directly (also being more harmful to the body). Like radiotherapy, immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatment methods.
Post-Surgery Care in Cats with Bladder Cancer
After the partial or total removal of the bladder tumor, the vet may recommend the following post-surgery care:
- Restricting your cat's activity – avoid running, jumping, intense play, or other demanding activities.
- Maintaining the hygiene of your cat and the incision – do not wash your cat and ensure the hygiene of the incision to prevent infections.
These restrictions are generally maintained for 10-14 days, but the veterinarian may make other recommendations depending on your cat's condition.
Exploring Alternative Treatments: Can Bladder Cancer in Cats Be Managed Naturally?
We know that a cancer diagnosis sounds like a death sentence. However, if you want a gentler approach than conventional treatments, find out that there are some natural products that can support your cat's health and help them fight bladder cancer.
Keep in mind that if your cat has a bladder tumor that blocks the urinary tract and cannot urinate or urinate with difficulty, natural treatments will not take the place of the removal surgery, which is necessary in such cases.
Manage bladder tumors and cancer with PIPTOPET
A natural product that can support your cat's health is PIPTOPET. Made from the Fomitopsis betulina mushroom, PIPTOPET strengthens the immune system to help support the body’s natural response to abnormal cell growth. Its key properties include:
By promoting immune resilience and aiding in the body’s natural defense processes, PIPTOPET may help slow tumor progression and reduce discomfort, offering a gentle, holistic approach to support pets with bladder cancer.
It also reduces oxidative stress, enhances antioxidant function, and supports the body's detoxification systems.
Whether used alongside conventional treatments or as part of a wellness routine, PIPTOPET offers additional immune support to promote your pet’s overall well-being, particularly when facing severe health challenges like bladder cancer.
CBD oil and its urinary tract benefits
CBD oil (cannabidiol) is another natural product that may support your cat's health. Some studies suggest that CBD can reduce cell viability and promote cell death in cancer cells. When combined with chemotherapy drugs like vinblastine and mitoxantrone, it has shown promising results in certain cases.
However, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian before using CBD, especially alongside conventional treatments for conditions like bladder tumors.
Keep clear from bladder infection and tumors with URINARY TRACT SUPPORT
Another homeopathic product that may be beneficial is URINARY TRACT SUPPORT, which is formulated to support bladder and kidney health and may help reduce urinary discomfort in cats, including those with bladder cancer. It includes the following ingredients:
- Berberis 30k – May help reduce kidney and bladder inflammation and relieve pain from urinary stones.
- Cantharis 30k – May relieve burning sensations during urination, a common symptom of bladder cancer.
- Nitricum Acidum 30k – May help reduce bleeding and support urinary tract healing.
- Pareira Brava 30k – Can facilitate urination, especially in cases of difficulty or pain.
While these natural products can provide additional support, it’s always recommended to discuss any new treatment with your veterinarian to ensure it’s safe and compatible with your cat’s existing care plan.
These natural products can offer your cat valuable support in the face of a difficult diagnosis. It’s essential to discuss all available treatment options with your veterinarian so that, together, you can determine the most suitable course of action.
Since each cat is unique, the treatment plan should be adapted to meet their specific needs. With the right care, you can help improve your cat’s comfort and quality of life, even in challenging times.
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