The majority of nasal tumors in the dog and cat are malignant. Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and undefferentiated carcinoma are common nasal tumors in dogs. Lymphoma and adenocarcinoma are common in cats. Fibrosarcomas and other sarcomas also occur in both species. Bening tumors can include adenomas, fibromas, papillomas, and transmissible venereal tumors (the latter only in dogs).

Nasal tumors usually occur in older animals but cannot be excluded from the differential diagnosis of young dogs and cats. No breed predisposition has been consistently identified. The clinical features of nasal tumors (usually chronic) reflect the locally invasive nature of these tumors. Nasal discharge is the most common complaint. The discharge may be serous, mucopurulent or hemorrhagic. One or both nostrils can be involved. With bilateral involvement, the discharge is often worse from one nostril compared with the other. For many animals the discharge is initially unilateral and pregresses to bilateral. Sneezing may be reported. Obstruction of the nasal cavity by the tumor may cause decreased or absent air flow through one of the nares.

Deformation of the facial bone, hard palate, or maxillary dental arcade may be visible. Tumor growth extending into the cranial vault can result in neurologic signs. Growth into the orbit may cause exophtalmos or inability to retropulse the eye. Animals only rarely experience neurologic signs (e.g., seizures, behavior change, abnormal mental status) or ocular abnormalities as the primary complaints (i.e. no signs of nasal discharge). Weight loss and anorexia may accompany the respiratory signs but are often absent.

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