Update on Feline Nasal Disease: What Have the Last Twenty Years Taught Us?

Chronic nasal disease in is a common problem in cats, an important cause of significant morbidity in feline patients, and a source of frustration for veterinarians, our clients and our patients. Symptoms of nasal disease may be caused by any of a myriad of primary respiratory disorders or non-respiratory causes. Idiopathic chronic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic nasal disorders in cats. It is a diagnosis made by exclusion of other disorders, and usually requires chronic management. Other causes of chronic nasal disease include structural, mechanical, neoplastic, parasitic, infectious, and allergic disorders. The diagnostic approach to chronic nasal disease should be designed to first identify or rule out primary nasal conditions with specific therapeutic options, then to secondarily manage chronic idiopathic inflammatory nasal conditions. Treatment of secondary infections and symptomatic therapy should be tertiary goals. The purpose of this session will be to review normal nasal structure and function in cats, to review the diagnostic approach to chronic nasal disease, and to discuss a therapeutic approach to chronic nasal disease based on feline nasal structure and function, with a focus on diagnostic and management options for idiopathic chronic rhinitis that can be done without referral.