Nasal polyps in dogs are benign but progressive growths inside the nasal passages or nasopharynx that cause chronic nasal discharge, noisy breathing, and recurrent respiratory infections. They are surgically removable, but delayed treatment allows the polyp to enlarge and erode surrounding bone. Knowing the signs early means treatment stays straightforward.
Last reviewed: June 2026
What Are Nasal Polyps in Dogs?
Nasal polyps are soft, benign pedunculated masses that arise from the mucosal lining of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, or middle ear. In dogs they are less common than in cats, but when they occur they can grow large enough to partially or completely obstruct one or both nasal passages, as described in Fossum's Small Animal Surgery.
Most polyps are inflammatory in origin — chronic mucosal irritation from allergy, recurrent infection, or foreign body exposure leads to polypoid tissue overgrowth. True neoplastic transformation is rare. The nasopharyngeal location (at the back of the nasal cavity, above the soft palate) is particularly common and can be missed on routine oral exam.
Any dog breed can develop nasal polyps, but brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs) that already have compromised upper airway anatomy may develop more severe obstructive signs sooner. Young to middle-aged dogs are most commonly affected.
Signs to Watch For
- Chronic unilateral or bilateral nasal discharge — initially mucoid, progressing to mucopurulent or blood-tinged with secondary infection
- Loud stertor (snoring-like breathing) — especially at rest; the polyp partially obstructs the nasopharynx
- Reverse sneezing — repeated rapid inhalation attempts triggered by nasopharyngeal irritation
- Open-mouth breathing — when nasal obstruction is severe enough that the dog cannot breathe comfortably through the nose
- Epistaxis (nosebleed) — from mucosal ulceration or secondary infection
- Head shaking or pawing at the face — discomfort from the mass or associated middle ear involvement
- Changes in voice or bark — a muffled, honking quality from altered resonance
- Gagging or dysphagia — with large nasopharyngeal polyps that displace the soft palate downward
Diagnosis
Your vet will evaluate for nasal polyps with:
- Rhinoscopy — direct visualization of the nasal passages with a rigid or flexible endoscope; reveals the polyp's size, location, and attachment site
- CT scan of the skull — gold standard for defining polyp extent, bone involvement, and middle ear disease; essential before surgery (ACVS Surgical Guidelines)
- Oral examination under anesthesia — retraction of the soft palate allows direct visualization of large nasopharyngeal polyps
- Biopsy — all removed tissue is submitted for histopathology to confirm benign nature and rule out carcinoma
Routine nasal radiographs are insensitive and have been largely replaced by CT for surgical planning.
Treatment and Prognosis
Surgical removal is the treatment of choice. Most nasopharyngeal polyps can be removed by traction-avulsion (grasping the stalk and pulling) under anesthesia, often with excellent immediate results. However, recurrence rates of 30–50% are reported with traction-avulsion alone if the stalk base is not fully removed, as outlined in Fossum's Small Animal Surgery.
For polyps with extensive nasopharyngeal or middle ear involvement, a ventral bulla osteotomy (surgical opening of the middle ear) may be necessary to fully excise the base and reduce recurrence. Postoperative corticosteroids for 4–8 weeks reduce local inflammation and recurrence risk.
Most dogs do very well after complete surgical removal. Secondary bacterial rhinitis is treated with culture-directed antibiotics before and after surgery.
When to See a Vet
Call your vet today if:
- Your dog has had nasal discharge on one side for more than 2 weeks without improvement
- You notice loud stertor or open-mouth breathing at rest
- Your dog is reverse sneezing multiple times daily
- You see blood from one or both nostrils
- A brachycephalic breed dog's breathing seems worse than baseline
Go to the ER immediately if:
- Your dog cannot breathe through the nose and is breathing with an open mouth in distress
- Breathing is labored with visible chest effort
- Gums are pale or bluish from oxygen deprivation
- Your dog is in severe distress, pawing at the face and unable to settle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are nasal polyps in dogs dangerous? Nasal polyps are benign but progressive. Left untreated, they enlarge and can erode surrounding nasal turbinate bone, cause chronic secondary infections, and in large nasopharyngeal cases can significantly obstruct breathing. They do not become malignant, but the longer they are present, the more extensive the surgery required.
Can nasal polyps in dogs be treated without surgery? Medical management with corticosteroids can temporarily reduce polyp size and inflammation, but it does not eliminate the growth. Recurrence after stopping medication is nearly universal. Surgical removal is the only definitive treatment. The good news is that most polyps are accessible with minimally invasive endoscopic techniques under anesthesia.
What does a dog's nasal polyp look like? On rhinoscopy, polyps appear as smooth, pale pink or reddish, grape-like or elongated masses attached by a narrow stalk to the nasal mucosal lining. They can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters. On CT they appear as a soft-tissue density mass without bone invasion (unless very longstanding) that fills part of the nasal cavity or nasopharynx.
How much does nasal polyp removal cost in dogs? A diagnostic workup — CT scan ($800–2,000), rhinoscopy ($300–600), and bloodwork ($100–250) — typically runs $1,200–2,850. Surgical removal under anesthesia costs $500–1,500 for traction-avulsion. If a ventral bulla osteotomy is needed for deeper disease, surgery costs rise to $2,000–4,500. Follow-up histopathology adds $100–200. Total episode of care is commonly $1,500–4,000 depending on complexity.
Do nasal polyps come back after surgery? Recurrence rates after simple traction-avulsion are 30–50%. Complete removal of the polyp stalk, combined with postoperative corticosteroids and sometimes a ventral bulla osteotomy, significantly lowers recurrence risk. Dogs should be rechecked at 4–8 weeks and again at 6 months after surgery to monitor for regrowth.
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