Mastitis in a cat:

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The inflammatory process in the mammary glands of a cat is a serious and serious disease that requires timely diagnosis and immediate treatment. Veterinarians identify several causes of mastitis in cats. The disease occurs in different forms, but in each case the animal needs veterinary care. Owners of cats need to know the basic methods of prevention in order to prevent the development of the problem and its unpleasant consequences.

Causes of mastitis in cats

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Factors that initiate mammary gland pathology can be very different. They concern both the physiology of the animal itself and environmental conditions. The claim that mastitis only occurs in lactating cats and does not occur in cats that have been neutered is a misconception. Practice shows that mastitis occurs in cats in any condition. Precipitating conditions include:

Injuries, mechanical irritation in the gland area.
Infection of tissues through cracks in the nipples.
Gynecological and urological diseases.
Stagnation of milk due to early weaning of kittens from their mother.
Blockage of the milk ducts for physiological reasons.
Stillbirth of cubs in the same litter.
Complications after cesarean section.
Violation of hormone synthesis during estrus, false pregnancy.

The development of mastitis in cats is facilitated by hypothermia and a weakened immune system.

Diagnostic measures for suspected cancer

It is impossible to independently determine the nature of a lump on a cat’s chest. Only a professional doctor can do this. In a veterinary clinic, the doctor carefully examines the animal’s mammary glands and other parts of the body; by palpation will determine the characteristics of the lump, its volume, consistency, skin temperature, etc. Then he will prescribe laboratory and hardware diagnostic methods, including :

urine and blood tests;
X-ray;
Ultrasound.

If cancer is suspected, the cat will undergo a biopsy by pinching off a piece of the lump under anesthesia and sending the pathogenic tissue for examination. Specialists will determine whether malignant cells are present in it.

Forms and types of mastitis

The nature of the process depends on the symptoms and the type of pathogen. Mastitis in cats is classified into purulent, catarrhal, serous, fibrous, hemorrhagic, gangrenous. Each form is characterized by its own degree of severity, while one variety can transform into another.

Purulent mastitis

Pathogenic flora causes the accumulation of pus in the mammary cavities, which is released along with milk. With purulent mastitis, the presence of blood in the discharge is often noted. The mammary glands swell, turn red, and become noticeably hot and painful.

Further development of the disease causes general hyperthermia (a rise in temperature above normal), intoxication and depressed behavior. If pus appears in the milk, the kittens are separated from their mother to avoid poisoning.

Fibrinous

Changes in connective tissue provoke complete blockage of the milk ducts. There is an increase in lymph nodes, severe hyperemia and increased density of the mammary glands.

Any touch to them causes pain in the cat. With fibrous mastitis, intoxication of the body begins. Behavioral symptoms appear: the cat becomes lethargic and passive.

Serous

This type of mastitis in cats is characterized by general or partial redness of the integument and the release of a grayish secretion from the nipples.

If a female feeds kittens, the secreted milk acquires a thinner consistency, flaky impurities are noticeable in it, and an unpleasant odor is felt. The skin covering the glands thickens or swells. With serous mastitis, the mammary glands increase in size, and the cat indicates pain upon palpation.

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Catarrhal

With this form of the disease, blockage of the ducts is observed. This provokes stagnation of milk secretion in the glands and increased proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. Milky discharge has a characteristic unpleasant odor. Clots in the form of flakes are noticeable in the milk. Symptoms of catarrhal mastitis resemble a picture of a serous form.

Hemorrhagic

Due to minor hemorrhages in the tissues of the glandular organ, blood enters the ducts and is excreted with milk. The milk-secreting organs swell and become painful. From the outside, hematomas are visually detected.

Symptoms of mastitis can affect one or more glands at the same time.

Gangrenous

If the inflammation is not treated, necrosis begins in the mammary glands. Local tissue rejection becomes general and gangrene begins. External symptoms of gangrenous mastitis are blue, purple, brown, black spots. Painful ulcers and bleeding appear on the affected areas.

Kinds

There are several forms of the disease. The initial stage is usually accompanied only by redness and slight swelling of the nipple, and a slight increase in body temperature. It often goes unnoticed by humans. If left untreated, it progresses to more severe forms of mastitis:

Serous . The mammary glands enlarge significantly. They become hot and hard, and the cat reacts painfully to touch. When pressed, liquid with white flakes is released from the nipple.
Catarrhal . When pressed, a liquid is released, the consistency of which is similar to sour milk.
Fibrinous . Characterized by increased body temperature and enlarged lymph nodes. On palpation, “crunching” sounds are heard.
Purulent - a complication of previous forms. An unpleasant-smelling fluid mixed with blood and pus is released from the chest. In most cases, at this stage the disease becomes chronic. The mammary glands fill with connective tissue, which can lead to a lack of milk in the future.

The hemorrhagic form is the most severe. Extensive hemorrhage occurs in the skin and mammary glands, staining the tissues bright red. The animal's temperature rises and it becomes feverish. Surgery required.

Methods for diagnosing mastitis

The very beginning of the disease may be missed due to a blurred clinical picture. Further development contributes to a more pronounced manifestation of symptoms. Diagnosis of mastitis in a cat consists of visual examination, palpation, ultrasound and laboratory tests. After which treatment is prescribed.

Blood is taken from the animal to determine the total number of cells and hemoglobin. To determine the degree of inflammation and the pathogen, an analysis of discharge from the mammary gland is performed. This cytological study also helps to determine the nature of inflammation. A high number of dead epithelial cells indicates the fibrous, catarrhal, serous type. An increased number of red blood cells and platelets diagnoses the hemorrhagic form.

The ultrasound method helps determine the localization of the pathogenic process, the condition of the ducts and the presence of fluid in them. Ultrasound checks the condition of the glandular cavities and the tissues of the glands themselves. Diagnostics makes it possible to distinguish mastitis from less dangerous mastopathy, adenoma, and benign growth of glandular tissue.

How to tell if your pet is sick

You need to monitor your pet's behavior and well-being very carefully. Especially during such an important period of life as pregnancy and feeding offspring. This is always stressful for the body, which means the cat is more susceptible to various infections and diseases.

Symptoms of mastitis in the first stage:

redness of the nipples;
slight swelling and compaction;
increase in body temperature;
the occurrence of microcracks;
discharge of a curdled mass when pressing on the chest.

The pet reacts painfully to any touch and often licks its tummy.

As mastitis moves to the next stage, redness and swelling increase, the temperature consistently exceeds the norm by at least 1C, and the tissue around the mammary glands becomes very hard. When pressed, a yellowish or grayish liquid with drops of blood or pus is released.

In these cases, immediate contact with a veterinarian is required. If this is not done, the disease becomes more severe. The animal shows the first signs of intoxication of the body - apathy, fever, weakness.

Why is mastitis dangerous?

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Purulent inflammation of the mammary glands threatens to spread to other organs without treatment and result in general sepsis. Such a serious condition is fraught not only with intoxication, but also with the death of the animal. Kittens suffer no less, receiving, at best, defective milk, and at worst, poisoned milk. The death of babies due to purulent mastitis in cats often happens.

An advanced form may require the help of a surgeon

Advanced mastitis often develops into a chronic form. In case of hypothermia or weakened immunity, the cat’s glands begin to become inflamed. The cavities that were previously filled with pus are overgrown with connective tissue. The mammary gland loses its ability to function normally. Another danger is the possible degeneration of glandular tissue. This is how tumors of both benign and malignant nature appear.

Symptomatic picture

With cancer, the appearance of lumps on a cat's chest may not be immediately detected. At the first stage, the nodules are very tiny. Their maximum size is 1-1.5 cm, and since they are hidden under the fur, the owner does not pay attention to them. The behavior of a cat in the initial stages of mammary cancer also remains normal. She eats normally and is as active as before.

Alarming symptoms often appear only at the 3rd stage, when the lump reaches a size of 3-5 cm. It is characterized by the following features :

clear boundaries;
immobility;
dense consistency;
the temperature of the skin over the tumor is not increased;
slight soreness.

With advanced mammary cancer, the lump becomes covered with ulcers that open and bleed, causing severe pain to the cat. The animal looks depressed, loses appetite and sleep, and loses a lot of weight. Lumps may appear on other parts of the body - limbs, neck, head. These are metastases.

Malignant bumps differ from benign ones, first of all, by their rapid growth. If the tumor was small a week ago, but has now reached several centimeters, the cat should be urgently shown to a doctor. The sooner treatment is started, the better.

Treatment of mastitis

Conservative therapy uses antibiotics and immunocorrective medications. In more severe cases, surgical intervention is resorted to. The duration of treatment for mastitis in a cat is determined by the form of the disease:

serous - 5-7 days;
fibrinous - 5-10 days;
purulent - 14 days;
gangrenous - 25-30 days;
hemorrhagic - 10-15 days.

Antibacterial treatment includes cephalosporins (Cefazolin, Cephalexin) or penicillins (Amikacin, Ampicillin). If a fungal infection is added to a bacterial infection, the patient is treated in parallel with antifungal drugs: Griseofulvin, Amphotericin.

When the inflammatory process goes too far, the cat is operated on: the abscessing boils are opened, the purulent contents are removed, and the cavities of the milky lobes are cleaned. In some cases, a partial or complete mastectomy (removal of the breast) is indicated. After surgery, the animal requires a long rehabilitation period.

Anesthesia

If the pain syndrome is severe, the cat is given a novocaine blockade before starting treatment. To do this, an injection is made into the fat layer between the affected area and the peritoneum with a 0.5% or 1% solution of novocaine. The dose depends on the weight of the pet: for every kilogram of weight, take 1 ml of the drug. At the same time, an antibiotic is added to the syringe. Anesthesia is repeated at intervals of two days until the pain symptom completely disappears.

Strengthening the immune system

To strengthen the body's defenses, the cat is prescribed complex dietary supplements. Vitamins and minerals support the immune system and help quickly neutralize the inflammatory focus. The vitamin preparation is fed to the animal for two months. Immunomodulators also provide support: Neoferon, Globfel, Catozal and others. The immunoglobulins and plant extracts they contain stimulate your own immunity.

Treatment of congestive form

If stagnation of milk is noted, it is necessary to carry out procedures to stimulate its outflow. Diuretics are prescribed among medications. They promote faster removal of fluid from the body, thereby slightly reducing the flow of water into the mammary glands.

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Treatment of stagnant mastitis includes antiseptic compresses made from Chlorhexidine. The solution is heated to body temperature, a sterile gauze cloth is moistened in it, lightly squeezed and applied to the sore spot. Cover the compress with polyethylene and bandage it. Keep the bandage on for 10-15 minutes. An alternative to Chlorhexidine can be ichthyol or chloramphenicol ointment, infusions of medicinal herbs with an antibacterial effect.

BREAST PLASTY

Breast surgery is represented by three large groups:

Augmentation mammoplasty. (circular) - The purpose of such an intervention is to enlarge the breasts, giving them a beautiful shape while maintaining the function of lactation.
Reduction mammoplasty. — The operation involves excision of excess tissue and stretched skin while simultaneously moving the nipple to its natural position.
Mastopexy (anchor breast lift) - (breast lift). A surgical intervention during which the surgeon makes aesthetic correction of the shape and height of the mammary glands.

Each method has its own limitations and characteristics. Only a specialist can determine exactly which tactics are preferable in a particular case and can provide a long-term desired result.

Breast augmentation surgeries

Most men consider large breasts to be the standard of beauty for a woman’s body, while women focus on a male audience. Whether this is true or not is a moot point, but there are quite a lot of ladies who dream of making their breasts larger. Augmentation (enlargement) mammoplasty is associated with the introduction of implants into the breast tissue, which visually enlarge the bust. When planning the operation, the surgeon determines through what access the endoprostheses will be installed:

axillary (axillary) - installation of the prosthesis is performed through an incision in the armpit, the advantage of access is the absence of visible traces of the operation;
submammary access involves an inframammary incision, the disadvantage is a noticeable scar under the breast;
periareolar (peripapillary) - the implant is inserted through an incision along the lower edge of the nipple; the disadvantage of access is the risk of loss of lactation function, but no traces of surgical intervention are visible.

The method of breast augmentation with implants, as a result of which the bust takes on a beautiful shape and becomes elastic, is considered a classic mammoplasty. However, there is an alternative method - lipofilling, the essence of which is to transplant the patient’s own fat, taken from other parts of the body. Today, the method of breast enlargement using your own fat tissue is finding more and more adherents, as it causes fewer complications and allows you to simultaneously get rid of fat traps.

Reduction surgeries for men and women

Too large breasts can bring a woman a lot of suffering: difficulties with choosing underwear, regular pain in the back and neck, not always appropriate attention from others, and so on. To reduce breast size, reduction mammoplasty surgery is offered. The intervention is carried out both for women with a very large bust size and for men suffering from gynecomastia.

Types of gynecomastia in men:

true - pathological proliferation of glandular tissue caused by congenital pathologies, endocrine disorders, as well as metabolic, symptomatic and medicinal causes;
false (lipomastia) - local fat deposits, typical for patients with BMI.

The cost of breast reduction in women is often higher than other types of plastic surgery, since reduction mammoplasty belongs to the group of the most complex and lengthy reconstructive operations on the mammary gland.

Breast lift surgery

If a woman is unhappy with the way her bust looks, it is worth making an appointment with a mammologist and identifying the cause of the problem. Breast surgery is recommended against the background:

changes in the process of formation of the body (hypomastia, asymmetric development, hypertrophy);
changes associated with pregnancy, breastfeeding, age factor (post-lactation involution, increase in volume, mastoptosis);
congenital anomalies (amastia, athelia, underdevelopment of the pectoral muscles);
postoperative changes (mastectomy).

When a man experiences discomfort due to breast enlargement, he should consult a specialist to determine the cause of the changes. Often, male mammoplasty consists of liposuction, less often with mastopexy.

Contraindications

Like any operation, mammoplasty has a number of contraindications:

too young an age, when the shape and size of the glands have not yet formed;
period of gestation, breastfeeding and less than a year after lactation;
chronic diseases in the stage of decompensation;
infections (acute and chronic);
bleeding disorders;
tendency to form keloid scars;
diabetes;
neoplasms in the breast area until the cause is identified and removed.

You should not hush up details regarding your health, since concealing any contraindications to surgical breast correction can result in serious problems for the patient himself. In turn, a good doctor will never turn a blind eye to the presence of contraindications, will explain the reason for the refusal and offer an alternative path.

After mammoplasty - patient rehabilitation

It is important to understand well that everything does not end in the operating room. At the end of the operation, an equally important period of rehabilitation after mammoplasty begins. Recommendations for recovery depend on the method and complexity of the intervention.

If lipofilling was used, you need to do the following within a month:

wear compression stockings;
do not sleep on your stomach;
do not play sports;
exclude massage in the chest area;
avoid saunas, beaches and other places where you can overheat;
do not eat foods that cause swelling;
do not smoke or drink alcohol.

If breast augmentation by implantation, mastopexy, reduction was used:

the patient remains under observation for at least a day;
it is necessary to take medications recommended by the doctor on an individual basis; sutures after mammoplasty are removed after about 7-10 days, if self-absorbable suture material was not used;
all conditions for postoperative rehabilitation during breast contouring with autologous fat are met.

It will not be possible to evaluate the results of mammoplasty in the first days, since tissue swelling persists. However, the first assessments can be made as early as 2-3 weeks after the intervention.

At this stage, the seams are still very visible, which can later be corrected by sanding. Even at the stage of consultations and preparation for surgery, you need to understand that the breasts will acquire their final appearance and shape only after a few months. After breast surgery, the body and glands are completely restored within six months on average.

How much does mammoplasty cost in Rostov-on-Don?

The cost of surgical correction of the mammary glands is determined taking into account a number of factors:

type of mammoplasty (for example, making breasts small surgically will cost more than moderate correction using liposculpture);
complexity of the operation (each case is individual and sometimes even a standard procedure is complicated by its own nuances, and the intervention can also be complex);
cost of consumables (implants, fillers).

Prices for mammoplasty in Rostov clinics are approximately the same. If the price tag is too low, then there are two options. Or the clinic misleads potential clients by indicating the cost not for the range of services within the operation, but only for the intervention. Or we are talking about saving on materials and equipment, and therefore on the health of patients.

Where to get breast surgery in Rostov

Have you been dreaming of changing your bust size? You are not satisfied with the result of implantation and want to try to make your breasts beautiful and natural using lipomodelling? Make an appointment for a breast augmentation consultation at Medical Park. We have our own laboratory, the latest equipment and qualified surgeons with over 20 years of experience. According to reviews from patients after mammoplasty, we are one of the best breast surgery clinics in Rostov-on-Don. Don’t try to love yourself as you are, while experiencing pain and psychological discomfort! Take advantage of the possibilities of modern aesthetic surgery and get the bust of your dreams.

Treating cat mastitis at home

Complicated types of mastitis in cats require the help of a veterinarian. You can treat a sick pet at home only with catarrhal or serous mastitis. The owner has the power to alleviate the animal’s condition and speed up the treatment of mastitis. To do this, it is permissible to use a light stroking massage. If touching causes pain or discomfort in the cat, tactile stimulation is abandoned. Rubbing with ichthyol or camphor oil helps. The product is applied after the massage. The smeared surface is covered with film and bandaged.

When the mammary glands of a nursing cat become overfilled and tense, they resort to expressing milk. To limit secretion production, reduce the amount of water in the bowl. It is advisable to switch the cat to dry food and give water only when feeding.

The most important thing when treating mastitis in a cat is to follow all the instructions prescribed by the doctor.

When it is impossible to treat

The cat owner should recognize symptoms that indicate the inadmissibility of self-treatment at home. If at least one of them appears, you should urgently seek help from a specialist. This list includes:

soreness and severe hardening of the glands;
enlargement of nearby lymph nodes;
cloudy discharge from the nipples with traces of pus and blood;
fever, fever.

Severe disease requires medical intervention. Treatment of mastitis in such cases consists of a complex of analgesic, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory medications.

Folk remedies

It is useful for a sick cat to apply warm compresses to the area of the affected organ. Decoctions or infusions of chamomile, oak bark, sage, string, and birch leaves are used as a medicinal liquid. To prepare the drug, one tablespoon of herb or collection is poured with boiling water and infused. After filtering, a piece of gauze is moistened in the solution and applied to the sore spot. Place polyethylene on top and lightly bandage it. The procedure lasts 20-30 minutes and is repeated up to five times a day. Cabbage leaves used to treat mastitis do not have noticeable effectiveness, so they are used only for very mild forms of mastopathy.

Establishing diagnosis

What to do if a cat is suspected of having a mammary tumor - only a veterinarian knows (it is advisable to visit an oncologist). The sooner a cat is shown to a specialist, the fewer complications will arise with its health and the greater the chance of a successful outcome of the disease.

When examined in a veterinary clinic, a cat undergoes a number of diagnostic procedures:

Examination with palpation and collection of anamnesis (medical history).
Taking blood for laboratory tests of the animal’s general condition.
Biopsy of pathological material (a piece of the neoplasm is examined under a microscope and allows us to determine the type of pathology with 100% certainty).
Ultrasound or X-ray examinations (prescribed to identify the stage of development of the disease and determine the location of metastases).

Having received the results of the examination, it will not be difficult for the veterinarian to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment, taking into account the age and other characteristics of the cat.

An important point in diagnosing a neoplasm is differentiation from ailments with similar symptoms (mastitis, multiple insect bites), the treatment of which is expected to be completely different.

How to express milk to a cat

To express milk from a lactating female, it is recommended to use a special breast pump. If the device is not available, it is easy to make it yourself. To do this, take a plastic disposable 5 ml syringe. The piston is removed from it and the top is evenly cut off along with the nose, which is intended for the needle. Next, the cut is melted over fire. Allow the plastic to cool slightly and smooth out the edge with your fingers so that it is smooth and without sharp protrusions. Put the piston in place.

To express milk, the device is applied to the skin so that the nipple is in the center of the cut out circle. When the piston is raised, a vacuum is created in the breast pump and milk flows into the container. It is enough to do this procedure once a day. The entire process of making the device and pumping is clearly shown in the video:

Before using a pumping device, you need to make sure that your cat does not have a blocked milk duct!

Preventive measures

To prevent neoplasms and early diagnosis of diseases, you should:

Sterilize your cat before her first heat;
do not use hormonal drugs without the advice of a doctor;
see a veterinarian annually;
monitor the cat’s weight, do not overfeed;
provide active exercise in the fresh air.

A cat can lead a full life even with a diagnosis of a tumor and live long enough if the owners treat it in a timely manner.

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How to feed kittens with mastitis in a cat

If a nursing cat has been diagnosed with inflammation, then the method of feeding the kittens directly depends on the severity of the disease. If one or two mammary glands are mildly affected, they are bandaged or sealed to limit the babies' access to the affected nipple. If the inflammation has affected all the glands or mastitis develops according to the purulent, hemorrhagic, gangrenous type, then the babies should be isolated from the mother. Milk containing toxic substances can cause poisoning in young kittens.

How to avoid illness

In order to avoid developing mastitis, you need to take some precautions that will help avoid problems in the future. Very often the cause of the disease is hypothermia, so a pregnant or lactating cat should live in a warm and dry room without drafts. It is better to move a pet living outside for a while indoors.

The second common cause of mastitis is infection. Kittens may accidentally scratch or damage the skin around their nipples while feeding. This, in turn, will lead to infection in the wounds and inflammation. You can avoid this outcome by regularly removing animal bedding and washing the kittens’ paws. A person should wash their hands thoroughly before touching a cat's belly.

A preventive measure that is of great importance is a proper balanced diet. You can choose special dry food for your pet. It would be good if it belongs to the premium class. Before purchasing a mixture, it is better to consult a veterinarian or breeder so as not to harm the health of the animal.

It is very important to wean kittens correctly. When babies begin to eat on their own, the cat's mammary glands need to be bandaged. This way you can reduce the amount of milk produced and protect your pet from infection.

Prevention of mastitis

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The risk of mastitis in a cat can be reduced if you remember the rules of prevention. First, you need to regularly examine your pet's belly. It is especially important to pay attention to the cat during pregnancy and lactation. Cracks, wounds from kittens’ claws and teeth, and dry areas of skin need to be treated in a timely manner. If any suspicious signs appear, you should consult your doctor.

Treatment at an early stage of the disease is much easier and faster.

Secondly, your furry pet should be protected from drafts, hypothermia, and contact with sick relatives. Thirdly, the animal must undergo deworming and treatment for ectoparasites on a schedule. Fourthly, it is recommended to monitor the quality of food and quantity of water. This is especially true for a nursing cat. If there are one or two kittens in the litter, it is necessary to control the lactation process so that there is no stagnation of milk. It has been noted that sterilized animals are less likely to experience inflammation of the mammary organs. Therefore, veterinarians recommend sterilization if offspring are not planned.

With proper care and attention to the cat, it is quite possible to prevent the onset of the inflammatory process in the mammary glands in time. Adequate treatment prescribed by a veterinarian and care at home will help restore your pet’s health. In this case, already born and future babies will be provided with full-fledged mother's milk.

Stages of tumor development

The development of any tumor can be divided into several successive stages:

The neoplasm is very small, no more than 10 mm, no metastases have been identified;
The tumor grows up to 30 mm, all the same, without the appearance of secondary lesions;
A growth over 50 mm in size, the appearance of ulcers and the possibility of developing metastases in the lymph nodes are noted;
Identification of secondary lesions in the liver and other organs of the animal;

By starting treatment in the first stages, you can prevent complications and completely normalize the animal’s condition.

Causes of subcutaneous lumps

Small round balls often appear after injection under the skin. They are called post-injection granuloma and resolve on their own a few days after the end of the injections. To avoid them, the injection site is massaged daily. Sometimes granulomas remain for life, without changing their size and position. In other cases, the reason lies in:

blockage of the sebaceous glands;
allergic reaction;
infestation with parasites;
hormonal imbalances;
infection of open wounds;
disturbances in the formation or functioning of connective tissues;
injuries;
inflammatory processes.

The risk group includes older animals, cats with chronic diseases, late castrated and sterilized pets. The risk of developing cancer increases with constant stress, low activity and poor diet. A predisposition also appears with frequent injuries in the same area of the body, infection with leukemia and regular inhalation of tobacco smoke. Cancer is often inherited and is diagnosed in animals older than 7 years.