A case of upper respiratory disease in a twelve-week old kitten

Mr. Bigglesworth, a twelve-week old intact male DSH, was presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animal's Internal Medicine Service on July 27th, 2009, for evaluation of persistent dyspnea. On presentation, the following problems were identified: severe dyspnea, inspiratory stertor, megaesophagus, regurgitation, mild cardiomegaly, aphonia, mucopurulent discharge in the left eye, and a thin body condition. An oropharyngeal and aural examination under general anesthesia revealed a nasopharyngeal polyp located dorsal to the soft palate. Surgical removal of the polyp using gentle traction was performed with success. Dexamethasone was given to Mr. Bigglesworth post-operatively. He was sent home the following day with only mild inspiratory stertor, left-sided Horner?s syndrome, and with recommendations for a future ventral bulla osteotomy pending recurrence of the polyp. Follow-up a month later showed that Mr. Bigglesworth no longer produced any respiratory signs. His megaesophagus and Horner's syndrome had also completely resolved. This report will focus on the diagnostic and treatment steps used in Mr. Bigglesworth's case as well as the clinical management of cats with nasopharyngeal polyps.