Cat Biopsies: What You Need to Know for Your Pet's Health

A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is removed from your cat to be examined under a microscope. It’s typically done to get more information about a health issue or to confirm a diagnosis. This procedure usually requires anesthesia because it's invasive.

There are different ways to take a biopsy, depending on the type of tissue or organ involved. If only a small piece of tissue is needed, this is called an "incisional biopsy." If the whole tumor or growth is removed, it's called an "excisional biopsy."

When the whole tumor is taken out, the outer edges of the tissue are checked under a microscope to see if the entire mass has been successfully removed. The biopsy results can tell you the type of tumor or disease happening and help your vet decide on the best treatment plan for your cat.

Vet Examination for Biopsy

When your cat is sick, your vet will ask a lot of questions to understand what’s been going on. This can include your cat's age, when the problem started, how it has changed over time, what treatments you've tried, and how they worked.

After asking these questions, your vet will do a complete physical exam, checking for fever, feeling your cat's belly, and listening to the heart and lungs.

Tests Related to Cat Biopsies

Blood and urine tests might be needed to find the cause of the illness or to ensure your cat is healthy enough for anesthesia.
X-rays can help spot problems like tumors or other abnormalities.
Ultrasounds can be used to examine the structure of organs in the chest or abdomen.
Advanced imaging techniques like CT scans or MRIs might be used at specialty veterinary hospitals.

Different Types of Biopsy Techniques

Exploratory surgery: This is when the vet makes an incision to access the abdomen and can take samples from multiple organs.
Endoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera is used to guide the vet to take small tissue samples from the nose, stomach, intestines, or colon. This requires anesthesia but doesn't involve large cuts.
Needle biopsies: These are used for skin lesions or tumors, and special needles can be used for bone and bone marrow biopsies.

Home Care for Cats After a Biopsy

After a biopsy, your cat needs to rest and avoid too much activity for about one to two weeks to let the area heal. If your cat tries to lick or chew the biopsy site, you might need to use an Elizabethan collar (the cone-shaped collar) to prevent them from reopening or infecting the wound.

Biopsy results usually take about a week to come back. Depending on what they show, your vet will give specific treatment recommendations or suggest additional tests.

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