Page 46 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

38 PART 1 CAT WITH UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT SIGNS

Nasopharyngeal stenosis may have similar signs, and Stenosis is visible as a pin-point opening in the
caudal rhinoscopy is required to distinguish this from nasopharynx (normal opening is approximately
polyp formation. 5 mm).
Radiographs are generally normal.
Treatment
Surgical therapy to remove the polyp is required. Diagnosis
Concurrent bulla osteotomy may be needed to remove
Diagnosis is based on the history, signs and visual evi-
the entire source of the polyp and prevent recurrence.
dence of the stenosis.
Generally, removal is via the mouth. The soft palate is
retracted and the base of the polyp grasped with for-
ceps. Gentle traction should be applied until the polyp Treatment
detaches. Alternatively, the stalk may be cut. Bleeding
Treatment involves surgical removal of the stenosis.
may be profuse, but more often is minimal.
Prognosis
NASOPHARYNGEAL STENOSIS
Prognosis is good with surgery
Classical signs

● Stertorous respiration from nasal area. CHLAMYDOPHILIA AND MYCOPLASMA
● Dyspnea.
● No or minimal nasal discharge. Classical signs

● Chronic ocular-nasal discharge.
Pathogenesis ● Chronic conjunctivitis.
● Acute or chronic sneezing.
Rare condition thought to arise secondary to chronic
● Stertor and stridor
nasal inflammation or trauma.
A strong membrane forms across the nasopharynx. It See main references on page 13 for details (The Cat
may completely occlude the nasopharyngeal opening, With Acute Sneezing or Nasal Discharge) and pages
or more often it reduces the opening to pin-point size. 1215, 1218 (The Cat With Ocular Discharge or
Changed Conjunctival Appearance).
Clinical signs
Clinical signs
Chronic snuffling of 3 months to 2 years duration is
reported. Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma spp. infection
may result in initial acute signs of upper respiratory
Any age of cat from < 1 year to 10 years may be affected.
tract infection progressing to chronic conjunctivitis,
Stertorous respiration (snoring) or stridor (whistling chronic mucopurulent ocular and nasal discharge.
noise) occurs from partial nasal obstruction.
Sneezing and occasionally stridor or stertor may occur.
Dyspnea, or open-mouth breathing may occur.
Follicular hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue in the conjunc-
Retching or gagging may be evident on eating. tiva and nictitating membrane is often visible as multi-
ple, small white nodules in Chlamydophila infection.
No or minimal nasal discharge.

Diagnosis Diagnosis
With the cat under general anesthesia, visualize the A presumptive diagnosis is often made based on
stenosis with a dental mirror. Pull the soft palate ros- signs. A definitive diagnosis is based on identification
trally for an improved view. of the organism.