Association between signalment and clinical signs, and nasal and nasopharyngeal diseases type and localization in dogs and cats

Background Upper respiratory tract diseases in companion animals encompass various diagnoses and anatomical localizations that are challenging to distinguish based solely on clinical signs. Hypothesis/Objectives Assess associations between signalment and clinical signs, and the localization and categories of nasal and nasopharyngeal diseases in dogs and cats. Animals A total of 396 client-owned animals (167 cats, 229 dogs) presented for nasal or nasopharyngeal disease at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Liège (Belgium) between 2018 and 2022. Methods Retrospective observational cross-sectional study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify associations between signalment and clinical signs and disease type or localization. Results Nasopharyngeal disease in cats was associated with stertor (odds ratio [OR], 10.1; 95%CI, 2.2-47.3; P = .003), dyspnea (OR, 6.5; 95%CI, 2.0-21.6; P = .002), absence of sneezing (OR, 0.1; 95%CI, 0.03-0.4; P < 0.001), and nasal discharge (OR, 0.04; 95%CI, 0.007-0.2; P < .001). In dogs, nasal and nasopharyngeal localizations were, respectively, associated with sneezing (OR, 95.6; 95%CI, 9.3-987.9; P < .001) and reverse sneezing (OR, 5.7; 95%CI, 1.3-25.2; P = .02). Although epistaxis was associated with both fungal rhinitis and nasal masses in dogs, only masses were associated with decreased nasal airflow (OR, 29.4; 95%CI, 8.1-106.9; P < .001), whereas it was preserved in fungal rhinitis (OR, 0.02; 95%CI, 0.003-0.15; P < .001). Systemic signs were observed in cats with nasal masses (OR, 7.3; 95%CI, 2.5-21.3; P < .001); in dogs, they were linked to fungal rhinosinusitis (OR, 26.1; 95%CI, 3.9-176.0; P < .001). Conclusions and clinical importance Signalment and clinical signs provide valuable indicators for diagnosis and localization of nasal diseases in dogs and cats, which may guide clinical decision-making.