Ear, Nose, and Throat (Aural and Nasopharyngeal) Polyps in Dogs

Ear, nose, and throat polyps are quite rare in dogs compared to cats. The chances of nasopharyngeal cancer is higher than a polyp in dogs. If symptoms of a polyp are present, prompt veterinary attention is required.

Aural polyps may also lead to Horner’s Syndrome which is an associated set of symptoms that affects the eye, such as drooping of the upper eyelid, protrusion of the third eyelid, and constricted pupil. Also secondary infection of the ear (otitis) might occur, associated with redness and pain of the ear.

In dogs the cause of nasopharyngeal polyps is unknown. In cats, polyps might be caused by many factors, such as:

• Congenital anomalies
• As a response to chronic inflammation
• Allergies
• Endocrine disorders (e.g. hypothyroidism)

It is uncertain if these factors are similar in dogs, but the same correlation is presumed.

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the polyp.

Other conditions with similar symptoms are much more likely to occur in dogs than polyps, so a thorough diagnostic approach is necessary.

Polyps might be seen or felt in the nasopharyngeal and auditory tracts. A complete physical examination is part of the diagnostic process, and sometimes sedation may be necessary. Other tests include bloodwork and diagnostic imaging (X-rays or CT scans of the skull help detect the presence of polyps).

A biopsy of the polyp is recommended to determine whether or not it is a cancerous mass.

Sometimes polyps can be removed by gentle traction/avulsion (pulling) on the mass. This treatment often leads to recurrence as the base of the mass cannot be removed by traction.

Especially for aural polyps, the preferred treatment is surgical removal.

Treatment might also include medications, such as antibiotics or steroids, for secondary infections.

Successful therapy also includes treatment for any possible underlying condition causing inflammation and polyp growth.

Prognosis in dogs is not well documented but it appears to be similar to what the data report for cats. The prognosis for cats is typically good, with about 15% to 50% chances of recurrence when treated with traction removal. It appears that recurrence is more likely in aural polyps than nasopharyngeal ones when treated with traction alone.

Surgical removal presents a much lower recurrence rate, but it might lead to secondary conditions such as Horner’s Syndrome. Cases of secondary Horner’s syndrome are expected to resolve within one month of surgery.

Prevention proves to be a difficult task as the cause of nasopharyngeal and aural polyps in dogs is still unknown. Causes of polyp growth in cats might also be allergic in nature or secondary to an endocrine disease. The same might be true for dogs as well. Keeping dogs from possible allergens and addressing specific endocrine disease might be a successful way of preventing polyp growth.

Nasopharyngeal and aural polyps are rare in dogs.

• Polyp removal (surgical or traction)
• Antibiotics
• Steroids