{"id":645807,"date":"2024-09-09T05:37:12","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T09:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=645807"},"modified":"2024-09-09T05:37:12","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T09:37:12","slug":"multiple-myeloma-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/ask-the-vet\/multiple-myeloma-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Multiple Myeloma in Cats: Our Vet Explains Signs, Causes & Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nWhat Is Multiple Myeloma?<\/a>
\nSigns<\/a>
\nCauses<\/a>
\nDiagnosis<\/a>
\nCare Guide<\/a>
\nFrequently Asked Questions <\/a>
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If you\u2019re interested in multiple myeloma, your cat may have been recently diagnosed with this rare disease. If this is the case, we\u2019re very sorry and understand you\u2019ll want to know everything about the condition and what to expect moving forward.<\/p>\n

Multiple myeloma is a cancerous disease, meaning that it\u2019s caused by the uncontrolled growth of the cat\u2019s own cells. As these cells proliferate, they cause harm to the vital body systems that keep your cat alive.<\/p>\n

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What Is Multiple Myeloma?<\/h2>\n

Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer originating from a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow. In healthy cats, the bone marrow contains stem cells that reproduce and mature into blood cells such as platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. The white cells fight infection, platelets help with blood clotting, and red cells are the carrier cells for transporting oxygen around the body.<\/p>\n

One type of white blood cell is the plasma cell, which is responsible for the production of antibodies. Cancer of this cell line within the bone marrow causes multiple myeloma. However, if plasma cells cause cancer outside the bone marrow, it is called a plasmacytoma. However, multiple myeloma can spread from the bone marrow to other organs.<\/p>\n

The uncontrolled production of plasma cells results in excessive amounts of antibodies in the blood. Cancerous cells and the resulting antibodies can cause problems all around the body. Although cancer can originate in any bone, most arise in the spinal vertebrae.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: 4 PM production, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What Are the Signs of Multiple Myeloma?<\/h2>\n

Multiple myeloma typically occurs in cats over the age of 7 and appears to have similar rates in male and female cats. Signs of multiple myeloma are generalized to start with and worsen with time. Specific signs can be related to organs being impacted by the cancer. Generally, the first non-specific signs of the problem are:<\/p>\n

Signs:<\/div>
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