Manifestation of nasal disease in dogs and cats
Symptoms of nasal disease in dogs and cats.
The nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses have a complex anatomy and are lined by mucosa. Their rostral portion is inhabited by bacteria in health. Nasal disorders are frequently associated with mucosal edema, inflammation, and secondary bacterial infection. There are often focal and multifocal in distribution. These factors combine to make the accurate diagnosis of nasal disease a challenge that can be met only through a thorough, systematic approach.
Diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses typically cause mucopurulent nasal discharge, sneezing, stertor (snoring or snorting sounds), facial deformity, systemic signs of illness (like lethargy, innapetence and weight loss), or in rare instances, central nervous system signs. The most common clinical manifestation is nasal discharge.
Nasal discharge is most commonly associated with disease localized within the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, although it may also develop with disorders of the lower respiratory tract, such as bacterial pneumonia and infectious tracheobronchitis, or systemic disorders such as coagulopathies and systemic hypertension. Nasal discharge is characterized as serous, mucopurulent with or without hemorrhage, or purely hemmorhagic (epistaxis). Serous nasal discharge has a clear, watery consistency. Depending on the quantity and duration of the discharge, a serous discharge may be normal, may be indicative of viral upper respiratory infection, or may precede the development of a mucopurulent discharge. As such, many of the causes or mucopurulent discharge can initially cause serous discharge.
Mucopurulent nasal discharge is typically characterized by a thick, ropey consistency and has a white, yellow, or green tint. A mucopurulent nasal discharge implies inflammation. Most intranasal diseases result in inflammation and secondary bacterial infection, making this sign a common presentation for most nasal diseases. Potential etiologies include infectious agents, foreign bodies, neoplasia, polyps, allergies and extension of disease from the oral cavity. If mucopurulent discharge is present in conjonction with signs of lower respiratory tract disease, such as cough, respiratory distress, or auscutable crackles, the diagnostic emphasis is on evaluation of the lower airways and pulmonary parenchyma. Hemmorhage may be associated with mucopurulent exudate from any etiology, but significant and prolonged bleeding in association with mucopurulent discharge is usually associated with neoplasia or mycotic infections.
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The nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses have a complex anatomy and are lined by mucosa. Their rostral portion is inhabited by bacteria in health. Nasal disorders are frequently associated with mucosal edema, inflammation, and secondary bacterial infection. There are often focal and multifocal in distribution. These factors combine to make the accurate diagnosis of nasal disease a challenge that can be met only through a thorough, systematic approach.
Diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses typically cause mucopurulent nasal discharge, sneezing, stertor (snoring or snorting sounds), facial deformity, systemic signs of illness (like lethargy, innapetence and weight loss), or in rare instances, central nervous system signs. The most common clinical manifestation is nasal discharge.
Nasal discharge is most commonly associated with disease localized within the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, although it may also develop with disorders of the lower respiratory tract, such as bacterial pneumonia and infectious tracheobronchitis, or systemic disorders such as coagulopathies and systemic hypertension. Nasal discharge is characterized as serous, mucopurulent with or without hemorrhage, or purely hemmorhagic (epistaxis). Serous nasal discharge has a clear, watery consistency. Depending on the quantity and duration of the discharge, a serous discharge may be normal, may be indicative of viral upper respiratory infection, or may precede the development of a mucopurulent discharge. As such, many of the causes or mucopurulent discharge can initially cause serous discharge.
Mucopurulent nasal discharge is typically characterized by a thick, ropey consistency and has a white, yellow, or green tint. A mucopurulent nasal discharge implies inflammation. Most intranasal diseases result in inflammation and secondary bacterial infection, making this sign a common presentation for most nasal diseases. Potential etiologies include infectious agents, foreign bodies, neoplasia, polyps, allergies and extension of disease from the oral cavity. If mucopurulent discharge is present in conjonction with signs of lower respiratory tract disease, such as cough, respiratory distress, or auscutable crackles, the diagnostic emphasis is on evaluation of the lower airways and pulmonary parenchyma. Hemmorhage may be associated with mucopurulent exudate from any etiology, but significant and prolonged bleeding in association with mucopurulent discharge is usually associated with neoplasia or mycotic infections.
We would love to hear your pet's story. Please add a comment.
