My cat has been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. After examining my cat, the veterinarian said it looked like a bacterial infection had caused it. My cat has been on antibiotics and steroids, but is not getting better. The veterinarian has suggested some additional tests and diagnostic procedures. What causes sinusitis and what more can be done for my cat?
Chronic sinusitis, often associated with rhinitis, and other chronic nasal diseases can be very frustrating to diagnose and treat. The sinuses around the nose may become chronically inflamed as a result of many different disease processes. Certain bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites can cause sinusitis in cats and dogs. Cats with viral sinusitis can experience damage to the nasal bones. Usually chronic cases of sinusitis will have bacterial infection secondary to the underlying cause. Non-infectious causes include foreign body, allergies to inhaled molds, pollen, or other allergy-provoking substances, dental disease, polyps, and cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. If nasal discharge occurs from only one nostril, an infectious cause is less likely.
Affected animals will sneeze a lot, paw at their noses frequently and have a nasal discharge. Cats with chronic sinusitis are especially prone to experience loss of appetite, which may be related to impaired sense of smell.
Treatment of sinusitis is directed at the symptoms and the underlying cause. Antibiotics, anti-fungals, and parasiticides may be given, as appropriate, to fight various infectious agents. Quite often bacterial infections need to be treated for a month or more, and in some cases antibiotics may need to be given chronically. Since so many cases of sinusitis are associated with secondary bacterial infections, antibiotics often lead to temporary improvement in an animal patient's symptoms regardless of the underlying cause of the sinusitis. Corticosteroids are given in cases of allergic sinusitis; attempts should be made to remove the inciting allergen if possible. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and sometimes surgery are employed in treating malignant tumors. Surgery is sometimes performed to remove infected bones of the nasal and sinus cavities.
If your cat is not responding, it is possible that a cause other than bacterial infection or allergy may be responsible for the sinus condition. Your cat may require additional diagnostics. These might include rhinoscopy (endoscopic examination of the nasal passages), contrast radiology, and biopsy.
I encourage you to speak with your veterinarian about the diagnostic options available. If the illness persists in spite of treatment, it may be very important to try to secure a specific diagnosis. Consultation with a veterinary internist might be helpful.
12/01/03
