Feline inflammatory polyps are the most common non-neoplastic masses affecting the middle ear of cats. While these polyps can affect cats across all age ranges, they most commonly occur in younger cats. Polyps present in the middle ear result in chronic otitis externa, otitis media, or otitis interna with clinical signs such as nystagmus, head tilt, Horner’s syndrome and ataxia. When polyps extend into the nasopharynx, they cause chronic nasal discharge, dyspnea, dysphagia, stertor, and stridor. This study looked at the prevalence of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Mycoplasma spp, Chlamydophila felis, and Bartonella spp. in samples collected from the ears of normal cats and inflammatory polyps submitted from client-owned cats. Samples were taken from 30 clinically affected and 12 clinically normal cats. All normal bulla samples yielded positive bacterial cultures, suggesting that the epithelium of the inner ear is routinely exposed to bacteria. The study failed to consistently amplify RNA or DNA of the select agents from the polyp tissue, suggesting that these agents were not directly associated with the pathogenesis of the inflammatory polyps studied in the cats tested. At this time, the cause of feline inflammatory polyps remains elusive and may be multi-factorial. [VT]
Related articles:
Kudnig ST: Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats, Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 17:174, 2002. More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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