What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

RE: What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:54:16 GMT

History tells us that nasal X-rays in cats are often not diagnostic so w recommend caution here. It’s not what I’d expect with neoplasia, it looks too structured. I wonder if it could be an odd FB or calcified sequestered turbinates. I’d consider either trying to grab it/ biopsy with a stout pair of forceps, or even a rhinotomy if the owners would agree

RE: What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Roger Powell — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:08:04 GMT

Don't disagree with the above/replies but curious given some of the replies/comments, and would like to understand from peeps in the know, if the image above would not be consistent with, or could not be, nasal lymphoma?
If so, relatively easy/easier to Dx (eg. aspirate) and treat appropriately and considerately (dare I say it, contextually!?)......?

OR, presumptively treat after discussion with the owner given their understanding of our explaining the neoplastic likelihood and DDx for 'trial steroids' and palliative therapy etc.....? (again assuming we 'know' FB << likely than Neo and not a 'zebra parasite' given the history and appreciably also the rescue situation for a (presumptive?) euthanasia quality of life - financial discussion......

Does the old corticosteroid adage always apply,

OR should/could be offered if one of the possible DDx is expected to be responsive, albeit shorter term and understood as more palliative?

RE: What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Kate Richardson — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:19:43 GMT

Thank you for your replies. I was mainly posting as curious to see if anyone had seen anything like this on a nasal cavity xray before as I haven't. Decision was made to euthanase the cat, I don't know how he was in himself, but assume he wasn't happy or that given the prognosis was guarded, the rescue centre decided to let him go now. I don't think any kind of surgery would have been appropriate in this case, so I agree with Malcom- a biopsy wouldn't have changed the options and would have been a waste of their money

RE: What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:51:35 GMT

[quote userid="3607" url="~/f/clinical-questions/31247/what-is-this-in-this-cats-nasal-cavity/247805#247805"]I think the interest of this patient should be placed above the attraction of indulging ourselves in an interesting diagnostic detective project. [/quote]

Well... yes... but ...

[quote userid="3607" url="~/f/clinical-questions/31247/what-is-this-in-this-cats-nasal-cavity/247805#247805"]achieving a definitive diagnosis will be costly, invasive and inevitably uncomfortable (and probably worse)[/quote]

Another radiograph or two (GA or sedation) and a little endoscope up a little way (GA)... surely not? Unless my likely charges are way, way way out of date (quite possible ). Direct vision might well tell you all you need to know.

[quote userid="3607" url="~/f/clinical-questions/31247/what-is-this-in-this-cats-nasal-cavity/247805#247805"] more Florence Nightingale or Marie Curie.[/quote]

This is a wild tangent to the thread, but I know a fair amount about these two ladies and I'm not really sure what you mean.

RE: What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:25:38 GMT

My money would be on neoplasia, but could consider endoscopy/rhinoscopy to try and exclude a possible foreign body, but if neoplasia PTS on the table at the time. Some try nasal flushes, but I've never had much success with them.

RE: What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Malcolm Ness — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:31:30 GMT

I think the interest of this patient should be placed above the attraction of indulging ourselves in an interesting diagnostic detective project. This is an already aged, FIV+ and owner-less cat, with a now limited life expectancy. Considerable thought should be given to what this lesion might be and then what might reasonably be done to genuinely help this cat in the context of improving quality of life or life expectancy.

Whether this is a foreign body or neoplasia driving these radiographic changes, achieving a definitive diagnosis will be costly, invasive and inevitably uncomfortable (and probably worse). None of that diagnostic fiddling can be justified unless definitive treatment is a viable option. definitive treatment is likely to include rhinotomy, which is no minor undertaking.

Perhaps, in this case we should be less Sherlock Homes and more Florence Nightingale or Marie Curie.

RE: What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:21:26 GMT

The answer to your question is "I don't know".

Could be foreign body (yes it could!) but it does look horribly like neoplasia. Note considerable loss of finer bony structures lateral and caudal, and a bit of the nasal septum. But it does not seem to be invading bone.

I'd try and localise it a bit more – indeed get more information – with at least a lateral view before a biopsy. Endoscopy would be valuable though.

Is there any abnormality visible in the palate? Is there any pain on palpation of the skin over the lesion?

RE: What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Dinu Catilina — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:42:58 GMT

I would biopsy that nostril, you can do it blindly if you don't have access to an endoscope.