Bladder Cancer in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Care

In this guide

Bladder cancer is rare in cats, which is genuinely reassuring news. But because its early symptoms look almost identical to a routine urinary infection, it is worth understanding so nothing gets missed if standard treatment does not seem to be working.

The most common type

Transitional cell carcinoma, often shortened to TCC, is by far the most common bladder cancer in cats. It develops from the cells lining the bladder and, unlike in dogs where it usually sits in one predictable spot, can appear in more variable locations within a cat's urinary tract, including the bladder neck or urethra.

Why it is often caught late

The symptoms of bladder cancer, straining to urinate, blood in the urine, frequent trips to the litter tray, closely mirror a simple urinary tract infection or bladder stones. Many cats are treated for a presumed infection first, and it is only when symptoms do not improve with antibiotics, or keep returning, that further investigation reveals a tumour. This is one of the main reasons vets recommend imaging for any urinary problem that does not resolve as expected.

Symptoms to watch for

• Straining to urinate or producing only small amounts
• Blood in the urine
• Urinating outside the litter tray, including on the floor or bedding
• Signs that do not improve, or that return quickly, despite a course of antibiotics

Diagnosis

Vets typically start with a urinalysis and blood work, followed by an abdominal ultrasound to look directly at the bladder wall for any thickening or mass. In some cases, a small tissue sample is taken, either during imaging or through a minimally invasive procedure, to confirm the diagnosis. Staging, which checks whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs, helps guide what treatment options make sense.

Treatment and outlook

Surgical removal of the affected part of the bladder is the preferred option when the tumour's location allows it, sometimes combined with chemotherapy or anti-inflammatory medication afterwards. When surgery is not possible, because of the tumour's position or the cat's overall health, medical management with anti-inflammatory drugs and, in some cases, chemotherapy can still meaningfully slow progression and keep a cat comfortable for a good stretch of time. Because every case differs so much depending on the tumour's exact location and how early it is caught, a personalised conversation with your vet or a veterinary oncologist is the best way to understand what to expect for your own cat.

Article content © S Vejay Anand. All rights reserved.