Should my senior cat with a polyp get surgery for his balance issues?

Poor Snuggles! Although surgery can be quite tricky, most cats make a full and complete recovery with resolution of ear problems and return of balance. You should discuss the risks and benefits with the operating surgeon but surgery is generally indicated where cats are having ongoing ir recurring symptoms

In a senior cat, there is always a chance any lump could be cancer unfortunately. If it is cancer, the vet will likely want to do further tests to see if it's spread. There may be chance this is just a polyp, and removing it is curative. You need to be aware that any surgery carries risks due to anesthesia, but the vet wouldn't recommend the surgery if they didn't feel it was safe for him. I do recommend having the surgery done. I hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for your questions. I hate to hear Callie is having these issues but I can glad you are having them addressed. Make sure to ask questions about what procedure they want to utilize to remove the polyp and what you should expect as part of normal recovery. Make sure to ask about potential complications and what a time line would be like for those to develop (that way you will be able to identify any issues quickly). Ask about advanced imaging like a CT or MRI. It's important to remove any polyps that may be present in her ears or sinuses. Otherwise she could have a continuation of symptoms. Ask if the ears or any nasal secretions need to be cultured. If this has been a long standing problem, antibiotic resistance issues could be present. Ask about histopathology for any polyps removed. Make sure Callie is tested for Felv/FIV as well. Here is some additional information about polyps in general (there are a couple kinds): https://bluepearlvet.com/medical-articles-for-pet-owners/inflammatory-ear-polyps-in-cats/ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nasopharyngeal-polyps-in-cats https://www.ovrs.com/blog/ear-polyps-pets-pet-owners-need-hear/ Once Callie is examined, you should get a better idea of what to expected. Lastly, make sure to get an idea of costs as well. I hope this helps and that everything goes smoothly!

Hello. This is very likely a benign tumor. I have a personal cat that has almost the exact same tumor on his chin that I am watching, too. But this is awful close to the eye, & if it gets any bigger, it may rub on the cornea. If you were my client, I would recommend removal. At 13, if your cat is relatively healthy with no underlying problems seen on bloodwork, then the surgery should go very smoothly. I would consider having it removed soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello. She may have a polyp or growth in the ear canal or oropharynx. This would require sedation and looking with a scope to see if there might be one. Some general practice veterinarians do not perform this diagnostic testing. Perhaps there is a referral clinic near you with the necessary equipment. I would recommend that you request a referral elsewhere from your veterinarian.

That's a good size growth on Mowe's face. No, she may not be too old for surgery. There are plenty of cats who are older who successfully have surgery. She does need to see a vet to discuss having this removed, and the vet can do a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis to assess her anesthetic risk for surgery. Those tests will let you know if it's ok or not to proceed with surgery. Give her vet a call now to make her an appointment. I hope this helps!

Harvey is beautiful! I am sorry to hear about his polyps but it is wonderful you are trying to get him help. Some polyps are simply removed without needing a CT scan, however if he is a complicated case it may be beneficial to be thorough. And be prepared that sometimes, no matter what you do, they recur. If he is a 'repeat offender' and has had a complicated history with polyps, it may be a good idea to have advanced imaging done, like the CT that was suggested. You could also consider asking your vet for a referral to a specialist- depending on who is nearby there may be an internist or a dermatologist who sees many cases like this and can help tailor therapy. I hope this is helpful and that Harvey feels better soon!