Inflammatory polyps of the ear are a benign, non-cancerous cause of chronic ear disease in cats. Although they are not cancerous tumors, these polyps can cause significant discomfort, recurrent ear infections, and neurologic signs if they are not recognized and treated appropriately.
They are one of the most common causes of an ear mass in young cats and are frequently mistaken for chronic infection or, in some cases, cancer.
What Are Aural (Ear) Polyps?
Aural inflammatory polyps are gelatinous masses of inflammatory tissue that typically arise from the middle ear (tympanic bulla) or the auditory tube and can grow into the ear canal or, less commonly, toward the back of the throat. In cats with a history of chronic ear irritation, these polyps represent a structural consequence of prolonged inflammation.
Unlike tumors, inflammatory polyps are not cancerous, but they act like a space-occupying lesion, interfering with normal ear function. This disruption can lead to secondary infection with bacteria or yeast.
Why Do Polyps Happen?
The exact cause of inflammatory ear polyps is not fully understood, but they are most often seen in young cats. Some cats appear to have chronic upper respiratory or middle ear inflammation from viruses or allergies that contributes to polyp development.
While genetics may play a role, environmental and anatomic factors likely influence which cats develop these lesions.
Signs You Might Notice at Home
Cats with aural inflammatory polyps can show signs that look very similar to chronic ear disease, including:
• Persistent ear scratching or rubbing
• Head shaking
• Malodorous ear discharge
• Pus or blood within the ear canal
• Redness and swelling of the ear canal
• Pain when the ear is touched
• Head tilt or imbalance
• Pupil size changes
• Facial nerve abnormalities in advanced cases
Because these signs overlap with common ear infections, inflammatory polyps can be missed early unless the ear is examined thoroughly, sometimes with advanced scoping.
How We Diagnose Aural Polyps
A careful ear examination with a hand-held otoscope is the essential first step. In many cases, pus, blood, or debris can obscure visualization, which is why video-otoscopy may be needed. Video-otoscopy allows us to safely clean the ear and visualize deep into the canal to identify masses such as polyps.
In many cases, the polyp can be directly visualized and sampled during this examination. However, because inflammatory polyps often originate deeper within the middle ear, advanced imaging such as CT may be recommended to determine the full extent of disease, especially when neurologic or balance signs are present.
When removed, the tissue can be submitted for histopathology to confirm that the growth is an inflammatory polyp and not another type of ear mass or cancer.
Treatment of Aural Polyps
Polyp Removal
The most common and least invasive treatment is traction-avulsion polypectomy, where the polyp is gently removed under general anesthesia using specialized instruments, often with the assistance of video-otoscopy. When performed thoroughly, this can provide immediate relief and dramatically reduce clinical signs. In some cases, this alone resolves the issue.
Middle Ear Surgery
In some cases, especially when the polyp extends deep into the middle ear or recurs, surgical access to the middle ear (such as a bulla osteotomy) may be recommended to remove inflammatory tissue more completely. This procedure is typically performed by a board-certified veterinary surgeon.
Managing Infection and Inflammation
Secondary bacterial or yeast infections are very common in cats with inflammatory polyps and must be treated concurrently. Management often includes:
• Appropriate topical ear medications
• Oral antibiotics or antifungal medications when indicated
• Anti-inflammatory therapy to control swelling, discomfort and regrowth (this is a critical part of treatment)
Treating infection alone, without removing the underlying polyp, will not resolve the condition.
What Cat Owners Can Expect
Most cats do well after appropriate diagnosis and treatment, especially for more external ear polyps. Recurrence can occur, but it is less common when the polyp is removed properly and infection and inflammation are carefully managed.
Follow-up examinations are important to ensure the ear canals remain healthy and to detect any early signs of recurrence.
Bottom Line
Aural inflammatory polyps are a common and treatable cause of chronic ear disease in cats, particularly in younger cats. Early recognition, appropriate diagnostics, and definitive treatment can significantly improve comfort and quality of life.
If your cat has persistent ear problems, head tilting, balance changes, or recurrent infections, an underlying structural cause such as an inflammatory polyp may be present and worth investigating.