Mary Allen
Middle ear polyps are a common condition in younger cats, but they can also occur in older animals. They are also rarely found in dogs.
Middle ear polyps in dogs and cats are most often caused by viral respiratory infections, but they can also develop without prior respiratory symptoms.
Symptoms Of Ear Polyps
The polyps may be limited to the middle ear, most commonly presenting with impaired balance, head tilt, and nictitating membrane prolapse, but may be asymptomatic for a long time. The polyps can also grow through the Eustachian tube into the nasopharynx and cause breathing noises (snorkeling, rattling, snoring) and even breathing and swallowing problems. When the polyps grow through the eardrum and into the external ear canal, there is discharge, an unpleasant odor, and itching.
Diagnosis Of Polyps
Polyps in the external auditory canal can usually be detected during an otoscopic examination. Those in the middle ear and nasopharynx, on the other hand, require anesthesia and other imaging procedures such as CT and/or MRI to diagnose them.
Treatment Of Polyps
The polyps must first be removed from the ear canal or nasopharynx. However, since they originate in the middle ear, it is usually not enough to just remove these parts. A so-called bulla osteotomy must therefore usually be carried out in order to be able to remove the entire inflammatory tissue.