Tonsillitis in Cats

Tonsillitis in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What are Tonsillitis?

While tonsillitis is uncommon in cats, when it does occur, it is usually the result of a bacterial infection and is treated with antibiotics. Other conditions can cause tonsillitis, which will require identification and treatment. If the condition becomes chronic or unresponsive to antibiotics, surgery to remove your cat’s tonsils may be recommended.

Tonsils are part of your pet’s lymphatic system. As part of the immune system, their function is to protect your pet from harmful bacteria and viruses. Tonsils can, however, become infected or enlarged, a condition referred to as tonsillitis. This condition can make normal functions like swallowing and breathing difficult. 

Tonsillitis Average Cost

From 348 quotes ranging from $100 - $500

Average Cost

$300

Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background

Symptoms of Tonsillitis in Cats

Symptoms of tonsillitis include:

  • Sore, painful throat
  • Red, inflamed tonsils
  • Pus may be present on tonsils
  • Lethargy
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Salivating/drooling
  • Decreased appetite
  • Gagging and vomiting
  • Breathing problems when severe
  • Fever when bacterial infection is present

As tonsillitis is often a secondary disorder, pet owners may also note symptoms of the primary disorder, such symptoms of a virus or a stomach condition.

Causes of Tonsillitis in Cats

Tonsillitis in cats is usually secondary to a primary condition. Possible causes of tonsillitis in cats include:

  • Recurring vomiting (digestive disorder)
  • Chronic contamination with bacteria (licking infected wounds)
  • Bacterial infection
  • Viral Infection such as feline immunodeficiency virus or cat flu
  • Lodged foreign objects in the throat (for example, grass seeds from foxtails can become lodged in tonsils)
  • Upper respiratory infection (often a secondary condition of cat flu)
  • Oral disease

Diagnosis of Tonsillitis in Cats

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination including visual examination of the back of your cat’s mouth and throat to diagnose tonsillitis. As tonsillitis is usually caused by another underlying condition, your veterinarian will try to discover the conditions present in your cat. It will be important for you to give a complete medical history and describe any possible harmful exposures or incidents your cat may have had in order to identify what is causing the inflamed tonsils. Blood and urine tests may be conducted in an effort to identify other conditions present in your cat. In addition, x-rays may be ordered to determine if a chest infection or foreign object is present. Your veterinarian may also perform a throat swab and culture to determine what bacteria are present and determine the most effective antibiotic to counteract the infection.

If tumors of the tonsils are suspected, your veterinarian will perform a biopsy to check for cancerous cells.

Treatment of Tonsillitis in Cats

Treatment will depend on the identified cause of the tonsil inflammation. If respiratory infection or bacterial infection is present, your veterinarian will prescribe a course of the appropriate antibiotic. Your veterinarian may also prescribe painkillers for a cat when the swollen tonsils are causing excessive pain and interfering with the animal's ability to swallow. If the case is severe and the animal has become dehydrated, fluids will be administered.

Prognosis is good if the cause can be identified and treated and your cat responds to the prescribed antibiotics. 

If tonsillitis becomes chronic in your cat, or if the inflamed tonsils are causing an obstruction of the throat, a tonsillectomy, in which the tonsils are removed, may be performed by your veterinarian.This is not usually necessary but may be required in some cases.

Petted logo

Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Get a quote

background

Recovery of Tonsillitis in Cats

If surgery was required you should watch your pet for aspiration of fluids and hemorrhaging. Any non-dissolving sutures used will need to be removed post-surgery. Complete healing from surgery should occur in approximately two weeks During the recovery period, a soft food diet will be required until your pet is able to process hard food again. Any post-surgical medication and antibiotics should be administered as prescribed. It is possible for incompletely removed tissue to regrow. Should this occur and cause problems for your pet, you will need to return to your veterinarian for treatment. 

If your cat’s tonsillitis is being treated non-surgically with a course of prescribed antibiotics, ensure that the entire course is taken. Cats with tonsillitis should be given soft, mushy food while recovering so as not to further irritate their throat.

Your cat should have rest and a quiet environment to heal and recover. 

Tonsillitis Average Cost

From 348 quotes ranging from $100 - $500

Average Cost

$300

arrow-up-icon

Top

Tonsillitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

dog-breed-icon

tabby

dog-name-icon

Nevaeh

dog-age-icon

16 Years

thumbs-up-icon

5 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

5 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Mouth Salivation
Hello there. My cat is 16 years old and is experiencing sudden drooling and mouth pain, and she is eating much less than usual. You can tell she is hungry, but she will stop eating suddenly and walk away crying. I went to the vet to have her teeth checked (it sure seemed like a tooth problem), but they all looked ok. Any other suggestions? She is miserable. Now on antibiotics and pain meds.

May 8, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

5 Recommendations

I'm sorry that that is happening to her. It would be worth seeing if she responds to her antibiotics and pain medications - if not, pt might be a good idea to have a thorough mouth exam to check for growths, or mouth xrays to see if she has tooth root problems. There is something going on with her mouth, from your description, and it may take a little work to figure out the problem. I hope that she does well.

May 8, 2018

Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon

indoor

dog-name-icon

Simba

dog-age-icon

6 Years

thumbs-up-icon

4 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

4 found this helpful

My cat is 6 years old and has a swollen throat all of sudden which is visible please advise what precautions are to be taken , he is a complete indoor cat and we have 19 cats all indoors in total , he is letting us touch it but if we try to press he moves away worried

April 10, 2018

4 Recommendations

Without examining Simba I cannot say whether the cause is due to an allergy, infection, foreign object or another cause; you should of course separate Simba from the other cats but ideally given your situation you should take Simba to your Veterinarian immediately to have him checked over since 19 sick cats would not be something you would want to risk. Below is a link to a site with nonprofit organisations which may be able to help with cost given the number of cats you’re caring for. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM www.dogingtonpost.com/need-help-with-vet-bills-or-pet-food-there-are-resources-available/

April 10, 2018

Was this question and answer helpful?

Tonsillitis Average Cost

From 348 quotes ranging from $100 - $500

Average Cost

$300

Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background
Need pet insurance?
Need pet insurance?

Learn more in the Wag! app

Five starsFive starsFive starsFive starsFive stars

43k+ reviews

Install


© 2024 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.


© 2024 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.