Treatment for a Cat With Infected Adenoids

Like humans, cats have tonsils and adenoids. As part of the immune system, they help fight bacteria and viruses. When the adenoids and tonsils of a cat become infected, they swell, causing a variety of health issues. If your cat suffers from infected adenoids, take him to a veterinarian to diagnose and properly treat his condition.

  1. Identification

    • A cat's adenoids consist of two glands, found on the right and left sides of the back of the throat, above the tonsils, which are connected to the adenoids. These glands are the first line of defense against germs that enter the cat's mouth or nasal passages. The adenoids and tonsils are part of the cat's lymphatic system; they react by swelling in response to an infection in the body or if they themselves become infected. Symptoms of swollen adenoids include repeated retching, gagging, vomiting, lethargy, difficulty swallowing and lack of appetite.

    Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian will diagnose your cat's condition through a complete physical exam and perform blood tests to check for a systemwide infection or other underlying medical cause. A thorough examination of the adenoids and a culture will determine what type of bacteria or virus could be causing a local infection. In addition, a vet may recommend a cytology of the adenoids tests for possible cancer and an X-ray check for foreign materials possibly trapped in the adenoids or tonsils. Once the cause of the inflammation of the adenoids is determined, you'll likely follow a standard course of treatment.

    Treatment

    • Any underlying medical disease that could be causing the swelling of the adenoids needs treatment. If no underlying illness is found, the cause of the infection of the adenoids is usually bacteria-based, typically with streptococcus or Escherichia coli. The primary treatment for infected adenoids is administration of antibiotics to kill the bacteria present. Depending on the type of bacteria present, certain penicillin-based medications or combination drugs such as trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole may be prescribed for a period of time, typically around two weeks, to clear up the infection.

    Treatment Considerations

    • Recurrent tonsil and adenoidal infections may necessitate their surgical removal, especially if the swollen adenoids are impairing your cat's breathing. That's a condition more common in brachycephalic breeds such as the Persian. Proper diagnosis of your cat's condition is required to ensure that inflammation of his adenoids is not caused by squamous cell carcinoma; this type of cancer is virulent and may require surgical removal. Tonsil and adenoid bacterial infections are highly contagious among pets, passed through infected food dishes and direct contact; isolate your cat from other pets in your home during his treatment. Natural remedies for bacterial infection of the adenoids include both belladona 4 and calcarea iodatum, according to the book Homeopathy for Your Cat: Remedies for Common Feline Ailments.