Can cats live with polyps?

Both VBO and removal by traction can cause some negative side effects such as nerve damage, but, in most cases, this resolves with time. Generally speaking, cats go on to live normal lives when the polyp has been addressed.

How do you treat polyps in cats?

How are nasal polyps treated? Nasal polyps can often be surgically removed with traction or avulsion (pulling or tearing). With your cat under general anesthesia, your veterinarian will use forceps to grip, twist, and pull the polyp free from its attachment.

Do polyps hurt cats?

Depending on the location of the polyp, the surgery (and the polyp) may cause some side effects on the nerves around the eye. The cat may have difficulty blinking. Generally, the nerve damage will not last more than a few days or weeks, although permanent damage is possible.

How do they remove nasopharyngeal polyps in cats?

There are multiple options for removal of nasopharyngeal polyps. The two most common approaches are polyp removal by traction (± prednisolone therapy) and ventral bulla osteotomy. Traction may be considered initially, however the owner must be made aware of the likelihood of recurrence.

Do polyps grow back in cats?

In most cases, it is anatomically impossible to remove the entire polyp, and recurrence is common. “Some cats will require a more serious surgery known as a bulla osteotomy.”

What causes polyps in cat ears?

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection may suppress the immune system, resulting in chronic infection that leads to polyp formation. Ear polyps are usually found in the younger cats, whereas malignant tumors are more common in older cats.

Can ear polyps go away on their own?

Some types of polyps may not need treatment and may go away on their own. Other polyps carry a risk of becoming cancerous and need to be removed. Surgical removal of polys (polypectomy) is the most common treatment for polyps that cause symptoms or that have a potential to be cancerous.

How much does cat polyp removal cost?

The cost of this procedure ranges from $500 to $2,500 depending on the cost of living in your area and includes anesthetic, procedure, hospitalization, medication and follow-up.

What causes polyps in cats ears?

What causes polyps in cats?

The cause of nasopharyngeal polyps is not known. Some researchers believe that they may result as a response to chronic inflammation. Others think that a link exists between infections and the development of polyps. Nasopharyngeal polyps tend to occur in younger cats, frequently affecting cats under one year of age.

How serious is polyps?

Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some colon polyps can develop into colon cancer, which may be fatal when found in its later stages. Anyone can develop colon polyps.

What can cause polyps in the throat?

Most of the time, vocal abuse or misuse causes nodules. Long-term vocal abuse can cause polyps, too. But polyps may happen after just one instance of vocal abuse, like yelling at a concert. Smoking cigarettes for a long time, thyroid problems, and reflux may also cause polyps.

What are the symptoms of polyps in cats?

These nasopharyngeal polyps can cause more severe clinical signs. Signs include increased difficulty breathing and trouble swallowing. Cats with nasopharyngeal polyps also may develop clinical signs related to their ears, frequently tilting the head to one side, pawing at the ears, or developing frequent or recurrent ear infections.

Can a polyp in the throat cause a cat to snore?

Polyps in the back of your cat’s throat could cause snoring, difficulty breathing, and problems swallowing. Polyps in the middle ear can affect your cat’s balance, and can lead to ear infections that are difficult to treat or keep coming back. Your vet will need a complete physical exam and medical history.

Where are the polyps located in a cat’s ear?

Nasopharyngeal polyps are benign growths that can occur in the pharynx (back of the throat), the middle ear and even perforate through the tympanic membrane (ear drum). The exact cause of nasopharyngeal polyps is uncertain. The problem occurs mainly in cats, with no known breed or sex predilection, and tends to be found in younger cats.

Can a cat get nasopharyngeal polyps at any age?

However, disease occurrence in cats is much more prevalent. Felines of any age can develop clinical signs, but they are most commonly seen in pediatric patients and young adults. Clinical signs may initially be intermittent and very mild while the polyp is still small.