(R06) Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Cats – An Etiological Study

Abstract: Diseases that chronically affect the feline upper respiratory tract (URT) represent a frequent problem in feline practice and may represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The purpose of this study was to pursue a prospective investigation to determine the etiological causes for chronic rhinosinusitis in cats, and investigate the association between them and patient’s history, clinical signs, and radiologic findings.
Cats presenting URT disease signs were selected to perform physical exam, bacterial and mycological cultures, Cryptococcosis serology, skull radiographs, rhinoscopy and/or rhinotomy, histopathology, FHV-1 and FCV immunohistochemistry and Mycoplasma spp. PCR.
Twenty-one (58.3%) of 36 cats had idiopathic chronic rhinosinusitis (ICRS), 9 neoplasia (25.0%), 3 fungal rhinitis (8.3%), 2 structural changes and 1 nasopharyngeal polyp. Most common signs were sneezing, nasal discharge and stertorous breathing. Skull radiographs revealed mostly increased nasal cavity opacity, turbinate bones detail loss and frontal sinus involvement. Significant statistical association was found between ICRS, mucopurulent discharge, and bilateral frontal sinus increased opacity in radiographs. Diagnosis of neoplasia and fungal rhinitis had significant association with appetite loss, sanguineous discharge, facial deformities, and nasal septum deviation on radiographs. All cases of ICRS had negative results for FHV-1 and FCV immunohistochemistry.
We conclude that ICRS is the most prevalent chronic rhinosinusitis disease, but other important etiologies are also present and should be suspected, especially when there is a combination of clinical signs such as sanguineous discharge, facial deformity, and decreased appetite. Also, FHV-1 and FCV are probably not important as being perpetuating pathogens of ICRS.