What is a dog nasal polyps? How would I know if my dog has it? Can a dog nasal polyps be cured? Nasal polyps are pink polypoid that protrudes and grows on the nasal area and that it occurs from the dog’s mucous membrane. There are a lot of treatments for a dog nasal polyps, and one of these is the surgical removal of polyps.
Nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are pink polyps that grow and protrudes inside a dog’s nose. It is a type of tumour of dogs that is benign or non-cancerous. The polyps are pieces of excessive scar tissues that grow on the mucous membrane of a dog. When inside the nasal cavity of the dog, it can cause blockage or irritation of the nose. As nasal polyps grow, it obstructs the airflow and makes it difficult for a dog to breath. Although it is non-cancerous, the symptoms of the nasal polyps can cause a variety of annoying symptoms to the affected dog, as it grows bigger. The symptoms of the nasal polyps can also impersonate illness but doesn’t respond to the antibiotic therapy.
Nasal polyps can be a possible reason for a nasal disease on dogs with stertor and epistaxis and nasal discharge. A veterinary medicine or a complete surgical removal like rhinotomy will treat the nasal polyps of your dog. Although nasal polyps can be treated through complete surgical removal, the recurrence of it is still possible. And it is important to remove the nasal polyps on dogs, so it will not obstruct the airflow, and the dog can breathe easily.
Causes
Unlike malignant tumours, benign tumours don’t have definitive causes on why a dog acquired this type of illness. And that is why it is difficult to point out the causes of a benign tumour-like the nasal polyps. There are studies that point out suspected causes of nasal polyps on dogs. Here are some of the following suspected causes, and it includes:
- One of the suspected causes of nasal polyps is the congenital process, wherein it was passed on to the young while in the utero.
- Another suspected cause is, nasal polyps may develop through chronic inflammatory processes.
- The swelling of the nasal passage may also cause dogs to develop nasal polyps.
- Viruses may also be the cause of the development of nasal polyps on dogs.
- Bacterial infections may also cause the development of nasal polyps on dogs.
Symptoms
Most dogs with nasal polyps have noisy breathing (obstruction of airflow), nasal discharge (usually streaked with blood or pus-like) from one or both nasal areas, weight loss and lethargy. Your dog may also give symptoms like sneezing and nasal congestion. Here are some of the symptoms that you may observe on your dogs.
- Nasal discharge
The most common symptom of nasal polyps on dogs is nasal discharge. Pus, blood and mucous is included on the nasal discharge of a dog. Paying close attention to your dogs will let you know if it has a runny nose. And that it might be a sign that your dog suffers from nasal polyps. Also, check the blankets and beddings of your dog for nasal discharge.
- Nasal congestion
Nasal congestion is another symptom of nasal polyps, wherein your dog has the difficulty of breathing. It will also ruin their taste buds that will result in losing their appetite in eating. Dogs with nasal congestion will make them irritable, miserable and weak. If untreated, it may even lead your dog to develop infections and other problems.
- Sneezing
Together with a runny nose, sneezing is another common symptom of nasal polyps. Sadly, sneezing is also a common symptom of allergies and infections that your vet may treat your dog with veterinary medicine for a different condition. The veterinary medicine may temporarily lessen the sneezing but will return, eventually. Always remember to notify your veterinarian if your dog is still sneezing after the medication.
- Noisy breathing
Another symptom of nasal polyps is when your dog is breathing noisily, especially when inhaling. With the polyp grows inside the nasal cavity of the dog, it will make some noise when the dog breathes. Also, a dog who is a quiet sleeper suddenly snores loudly, and then your might have nasal polyps that block the airways. And when your dog has a symptom of nasal polyps, it may experience shortness of breath.
- Decreased nasal airflow
Decreased on the nasal airflow of the dog is a symptom that your dog has a nasal polyp. As polyps grow, it decreases the airflow on the dog’s nasal area and results in shortness of breath. Dog owners should then visit your veterinary for a diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis
If you see that your dog has the difficulty to breathe or has a runny nose, then a visit to your veterinarian is a must. It is to have a correct and clearer diagnosis to the dog, and appropriate treatment will be given. It is also essential to visit your veterinarian in order to check if your dog may be suffering from nasal polyps. Here are some of the test or ways that your dog may undergo nasal diagnosis.
- If your veterinarian suspects that your dog might have nasal polyps, your dog will be anesthetized so that your veterinarian can examine the dog’s upper part of the mouth to search for any evidence of polyps.
- Caudal rhinoscopy is another diagnostic procedure that your dog may undergo for nasal polyps diagnosis. In this procedure, a dental mirror and spay hook or a flexible endoscope will be inserted into your dog’s nose for examination.
- A rostral rhinoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows your veterinarian to see the image of where and the size of polyps. It will help the veterinarian to take tissue samples for biopsy analysis. And the sample tissues will determine whether the polyps found in your dog is either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Computed tomography (CT scan), X-rays or magnetic resonance (MRI) scans will also be the additional diagnostic tests that your dog may undergo. These tests are also used to identify lesions of the nasopharynx or nasal cavity. And these imaging procedures are really useful in identifying other causes for your dog’s symptoms.
And if found that nasal polyps are not the cause for your dog’s symptoms, an alternate diagnosis may be made. These other diagnostic exams may include a test for a neurological disease, a test for the upper airway obstruction or a test for a foreign body.
Treatment and Prognosis
A complete surgical procedure is the primary method of treatment for dogs with nasal polyps. It is essential that both the base and root or stalk of the polyp will be completely removed for a dog to treat. And to prevent polyps from recurring on your dog. After your dog’s surgery, your veterinarian will prescribe medications. It is to prevent your dog from secondary yeast or bacterial infection in the affected areas. The recommended medication of your dog will depend on the sensitivity testing and the removed mass.
After the surgery procedure, your dog will be closely monitored for any recurrence of the polyps. As it is still possible that the polyps will appear again. If the polyps are completely removed on your dog, then the prognosis for your dog is generally excellent.
Prevention
As there are no definitive causes of nasal polyps, there are no specific ways to prevent the polyps’ development.