Feline brain tumors are uncommon, but they’re one cause of neurologic abnormalities in senior cats.
The most common sign of a brain tumor is seizures, but affected cats can also exhibit problems with their vision, behavior or movement as well as back or neck pain. There are many causes of neurologic problems, so test results are key to diagnosis.
The words “brain tumor” conjure up an inevitably fatal disease, but that’s not always the case. About 85% of feline brain tumors are meningiomas [mah-nĭn-gē-Ō-mahs], which are benign, so they don’t spread. And because they develop in membranes that cover the brain, they can be relatively easy to remove.
If your cat starts showing neurologic signs at any age, make an appointment with your veterinarian.