Disorders of the Nasal Cavity – Small Animals

68 question-and-answer flashcards covering causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of major nasal cavity disorders in small animals, based on the lecture notes provided.

What pathogen causes feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR)?

Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1).

Which two viruses account for roughly 90 % of feline upper respiratory infections?

Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV).

Name three bacterial agents that can contribute to feline upper respiratory infection.

Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Mycoplasma spp.

List three routes by which feline upper respiratory viruses are transmitted.

Aerosol, direct contact, and fomites.

What type of cats can shed upper-respiratory viruses without clinical signs?

Subclinical carrier cats.

Give three systemic clinical signs of feline upper respiratory infection.

Inappetence, lethargy, and fever.

Which virus commonly produces oral and nasal ulcers in cats?

Feline calicivirus (FCV).

Which feline virus typically causes dendritic corneal ulcers?

Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1).

In feline URI, which virus is more often associated with viral pneumonia?

Feline calicivirus (FCV).

What ulcer pattern on fluorescein stain is characteristic of FHV infection?

A dendritic (branching) corneal ulcer.

What oral lesion is a hallmark of acute FCV infection?

Vesicles that progress to ulcers on the tongue, palate, or nasal commissure.

Which pathogen is best known for causing chronic conjunctivitis in cats?

Chlamydophila felis.

Are laboratory tests routinely required to diagnose feline URI?

No; diagnosis is usually clinical and lab tests are not routinely needed.

Which antibiotic is preferred to treat Bordetella, Chlamydophila, and Mycoplasma in feline URI?

Doxycycline.

Name two topical antivirals used for FHV keratitis.

Trifluridine and idoxuridine.

Is oral lysine supplementation effective against FHV-1?

No; systematic reviews show no preventive or therapeutic benefit.

State two key preventive measures for feline upper respiratory disease.

Avoidance of exposure and vaccination.

After the kitten series, how often should FHV/FCV boosters be given?

Annually and then every three years (per current guidelines).

Does FHV/FCV vaccination prevent infection?

No; it reduces disease severity but does not prevent infection.

Nasopharyngeal polyps are most common in which age group of cats?

Kittens and young cats.

Nasopharyngeal polyps usually originate from which structure?

The auditory (Eustachian) tube (middle ear).

Give three clinical signs associated with nasopharyngeal polyps.

Stertorous breathing, upper-airway obstruction, and mucopurulent nasal discharge (others: otitis media, head tilt, nystagmus, Horner’s syndrome).

What radiographic finding supports a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal polyp?

Soft-tissue opacity dorsal to the soft palate, with or without bulla involvement.

What is the definitive diagnostic method for a nasopharyngeal polyp?

Histopathology of the removed tissue.

What is the recurrence rate after oral traction–avulsion of nasopharyngeal polyps?

Approximately 33 %.

Which surgical procedure lowers recurrence when the tympanic bulla is involved?

Ventral bulla osteotomy.

What transient neurologic syndrome may follow polyp removal?

Horner’s syndrome.

Overall prognosis after complete removal of nasopharyngeal polyps?

Excellent, provided all polyp tissue is removed.

What nasal tumour type is most common in dogs?

Adenocarcinoma (a type of carcinoma).

Which tumour most frequently affects the feline nasal cavity?

Lymphoma.

Name two other canine nasal tumours besides adenocarcinoma.

Poorly differentiated carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, or chondrosarcoma (any two).

Which skull conformation is predisposed to nasal tumours?

Dolichocephalic (long-nosed) breeds.

What is the most common clinical sign of a nasal tumour?

Chronic nasal discharge.

Is nasal tumour discharge initially unilateral or bilateral?

Often unilateral, but may progress to bilateral.

Name two imaging modalities commonly used for diagnosing nasal tumours.

Skull radiography and computed tomography (CT).

What test is required for definitive diagnosis of a nasal tumour?

Histopathology of a biopsy sample.

Median survival time for dogs with nasal tumours treated with radiation?

Approximately 13 months.

List two treatment options other than radiation for nasal tumours.

Surgery and chemotherapy (also NSAIDs/analgesia).

Which fungal organism most commonly causes nasal mycosis in cats?

Cryptococcus neoformans (and C. gattii).

List four body systems commonly affected by feline cryptococcosis.

Nasal cavity, central nervous system, eyes, and skin/subcutaneous tissues.

Which laboratory test detects the cryptococcal polysaccharide capsule antigen?

Latex agglutination capsular antigen test.

Reported sensitivity and specificity of the cryptococcal antigen test in cats?

Approximately 95 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity.

Which azole is preferred for cryptococcosis with CNS or ocular involvement?

Fluconazole.

Standard duration of antifungal therapy for cryptococcosis?

6–12 months and at least 2 months beyond clinical resolution.

What antigen-titer trend indicates a good prognosis in cryptococcosis?

A 10-fold decrease over two months.

Is direct pet-to-human transmission of Cryptococcus likely?

No; environmental exposure is considered the main risk.

Which fungus causes canine sinonasal aspergillosis?

Aspergillus fumigatus.

Which demographic of dogs is most often affected by sinonasal aspergillosis?

Young male dogs.

What external nasal lesion is characteristic of sinonasal aspergillosis?

Depigmentation and ulceration of the external nares.

Name three diagnostic tools for sinonasal aspergillosis.

CT imaging, rhinoscopy, and histopathology (others: fungal culture, serology).

Which serologic method has higher specificity for Aspergillus antibodies, AGID or ELISA?

Agar-gel immunodiffusion (AGID) with ~100 % specificity.

Efficacy rate of topical clotrimazole infusion in treating sinonasal aspergillosis?

About 85–90 % cure rate.

Is cribriform plate lysis an absolute contraindication to topical clotrimazole?

No; studies show it can be used safely in neurologically normal dogs.

Which oral antifungal is <70 % effective for sinonasal aspergillosis?

Itraconazole (when used alone).

Give two common plant materials that can become nasal foreign bodies.

Foxtails and pine needles (others: grass awns, straw, mulch, twigs).

Is bacterial rhinitis usually a primary or secondary problem?

Secondary to another nasal disorder.

Name two underlying conditions that can lead to secondary bacterial rhinitis.

Nasal tumour, fungal infection, foreign body, or dental disease.

Which mite species causes canine nasal mite infestations?

Pneumonyssoides caninum.

What larval parasite genus can form nasal warbles in small animals?

Cuterebra spp.

Inflammatory rhinitis is primarily diagnosed by what principle?

Diagnosis of exclusion based on histopathology and ruling out other causes.

List two drug classes that may help manage inflammatory rhinitis.

Antibiotics such as doxycycline/azithromycin and corticosteroids (also NSAIDs).

Post-anaesthetic reflux can lead to which structural nasal disorder?

Nasopharyngeal stenosis.

Chronic upper respiratory infection is a risk factor for which nasopharyngeal condition?

Nasopharyngeal stenosis.

Is Aspergillus fumigatus a normal inhabitant of canine nasal mucosa?

Yes; it is normally present but can become pathogenic.

Does sinonasal aspergillosis respond well to systemic antifungals alone?

Generally no; topical therapy is preferred for highest cure rates.

Name two supportive care measures important in treating feline URI.

Nutritional support and fluid therapy (plus TLC).

Which broad-spectrum antibiotics may be used to control secondary bacterial infections in feline URI?

Ampicillin or amoxicillin (others: doxycycline, azithromycin).