These growths, which occur relatively frequently in cats, are not cancerous, as is often mistakenly assumed. They are benign, pedunculated mucosal protrusions that are often also inflamed. Young cats up to two years of age are particularly affected.
The nodular formations originate in the mucous membrane lining of the middle ear or nasopharynx. The cause of these growths is still unclear. It is believed that chronic nasopharyngeal or middle ear infections may be the cause. The polyps grow either toward the throat, into the external auditory canal, or in both directions. When they spread into the external auditory canal, the polyps destroy the eardrum as they grow, causing a serious ear infection.
The disease manifests itself through different symptoms depending on the location of the polyps. The mechanical impairment alone can lead to breathing noises, voice changes, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, head shaking, and difficulty in swallowing or breathing. If there is significant growth in the nasopharynx, neurological symptoms such as vestibular syndrome (see corresponding article), balance disorders, or Horner's syndrome (see corresponding article) may develop. Damage to the eardrum can lead to ear infections with bloody or purulent ear discharge and deafness.
Some ear polyps can be detected during a general clinical examination by your veterinarian. However, if the changes are deeper inside and not visible from the outside, a reliable diagnosis can only be made with the help of further examinations. To diagnose a polyp located deep in the external auditory canal or throat, your veterinarian must perform a special endoscopic examination of the ear or throat. However, this is only possible under sedation or general anesthesia.
X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans (see relevant articles) of the skull can help to determine the exact location of polyps. In addition, a blood test can provide important clues about possible underlying diseases.
Due to the often very impairing symptoms, ear polyps should always be surgically removed. Depending on the location and size of the growths, your veterinarian has a choice of different surgical methods. On the one hand, they can extract the polyps from the anesthetized animal with the aid of special forceps under endoscopic control, so-called "pull them out" of the ear canal or throat. Polyps in the throat area can almost always be completely removed using this method. However, with polyps that develop from the middle ear, there is a risk that remnants of the growth will remain and the polyp will reform.
In these cases, your veterinarian will therefore perform a so-called bull osteotomy, in which the tympanic cavity is opened from the outside. This allows the entire tissue of the polyp to be removed. This operation must also be performed under general anesthesia and by an experienced surgeon, as there are many sensitive vascular and nerve structures in the tympanic cavity that can be damaged. The recurrence rate is extremely low with such a complete removal.
Anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and pain-relieving medications are administered either during or prior to the operation to reduce inflammation. Your veterinarian will provide you with detailed information about additional local treatment of the ear canal with rinses on a case-by-case basis.
After complete surgical removal, ear polyps have a very low recurrence rate and therefore a very good prognosis. For polyps in the throat area, even after simple "pulling out", there is already a good prognosis with only a very low recurrence rate.
Since the exact causes of polyps are unknown, prevention is virtually impossible. However, early detection and treatment of respiratory tract infections or ear infections is important, as it is believed that this can reduce the development of ear polyps.
Not a pleasant sight: suddenly, your dog is lying in a wet bed in the morning. It smells of urine and they look at you sheepishly. Their nose is still working well and they clearly feel uncomfortable.
Every dog owner is very alarmed when their previously fit dog suddenly starts limping for no apparent reason. It can happen to anyone, whether your dog is athletic or laid-back. It is important to take a closer look: fortunately, the causes are often harmless and can be treated quickly.
Sometimes a violent coughing fit comes on completely unexpectedly and frightens us as much as it does our dog. Whether it's a dry "barking" cough, a mucus-filled retching or a wheezing sound, coughing can manifest itself in many different ways. It's important to investigate the cause so that we can help our dog quickly.
Seizures also occur in dogs. How at risk your dog is depends largely on its breed: some breeds are more prone to seizures than others.
Especially during the cold and wet season, dogs can also suffer from painful inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and the entire lower urinary tract. The causes and symptoms are similar to those of bladder infections in humans. Is your dog urinating more frequently than usual and in pain when doing so, or has it even accidentally urinated in the house even though it has been house-trained for a long time? Then your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection, which should be treated by a veterinarian.
You drive to the stable in high spirits and lead your horse out of the pasture full of enthusiasm. But as soon as you start walking it to the grooming area, you notice that something is wrong. The familiar sound of hooves on the ground sounds somehow different. When you lunge your horse, it becomes clear: your horse is lame!
Time and time again, people find injured, supposedly sick or orphaned wild animals in their gardens, in towns or in the countryside. This is particularly common in spring and summer. But does the animal really need help? Traffic accidents involving wild animals are also a frequent occurrence in rural areas. So what is the right thing to do? Here you will find the most important information.
Small dog breeds are often underestimated when it comes to their diet. Dogs weighing between four and ten kilograms have their own specific requirements, which differ significantly from those of larger breeds. With the right food, you can support their health in a targeted manner – from puppyhood to old age.
Bringing a little kitten into your home is exciting, emotional, and comes with a lot of responsibility. Especially in the first few weeks, everything revolves around settling in, getting to know each other, and the needs of the new family member. But at some point, the question almost automatically arises: When can your kitten actually stay home alone, and how can you gently prepare them for this challenge? In this article, you will learn how to help your kitten get used to short periods of separation step by step and what you should pay attention to.
Let the adventure begin – it's time to buy a horse! The excitement is palpable. But before rushing headlong into buying the first shiny pony you see, every new horse owner should ask themselves a few important questions.
Moving usually involves more than just boxes, cartons, and new keys—it also brings a lot of changes, both for you and especially for your dog. Dogs are creatures of habit who rely heavily on their familiar surroundings and routines. A change of location can therefore cause stress or even lead to behavioral changes. Good preparation is crucial to ensure that your four-legged friend experiences the transition as smoothly as possible. In this article, we'll show you what you need to bear in mind when moving with a dog – from planning and the actual moving day to settling into your new home.
Many horse owners would prefer to have their horse close by at all times. It would be pleasant to sit comfortably on the terrace and look out over the small paddock or observe the horse in the paddock.
