Understanding nasal cavity tumours in cats — typically carcinomas causing progressive welfare impairment.
Nasal tumours cause progressive welfare impairment through their expanding local growth. Early signs — unilateral nasal discharge and sneezing — may be dismissed as upper respiratory infection. As the tumour expands, epistaxis (often severe), facial deformity from bone destruction, ocular involvement, and eventually neurological signs from cribriform plate invasion develop. Each stage represents increasing suffering without appropriate management.
The welfare impact of epistaxis is particularly distressing. Severe nosebleeds are frightening for cats and owners alike. The loss of blood, aspiration risk, and discomfort of repeated haemorrhage significantly impair quality of life. Palliative management of epistaxis — sedation, haemostatic agents, and quiet confinement — provides temporary relief but does not address the underlying disease.
Radiation therapy to the nasal cavity provides the best welfare outcome for cats with nasal carcinoma. Most cats achieve complete or partial remission with reduction in haemorrhage, improved nasal airway, and return to more normal quality of life for the median 12-18 month survival. The welfare benefit of radiation substantially outweighs treatment side effects in most cases.