When eight-year-old British Shorthair Lola began making unusual snorting noises at home, her owners initially suspected a mild upper respiratory problem. However, as her breathing gradually became noisier and more laboured, it became clear that further investigation was needed.
Lola was ultimately diagnosed with multiple cystic lesions within her soft palate and oropharynx - an uncommon developmental condition in cats, with only a small number of similar cases described in global veterinary literature.
Several months earlier, Lola had undergone a biopsy procedure at another hospital, during which one cyst ruptured and temporarily relieved her clinical signs. However, her symptoms later returned and progressed, prompting referral to Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists (NiVS) in Hillsborough for advanced assessment and management.
Specialist imaging confirmed the presence of three fluid-filled cysts embedded within the soft palate and surrounding tissues. These were not tumours or infections, but rare developmental cystic structures in which secretory proteineous material accumulates over time. As they expanded, they displaced the soft palate downward and narrowed the space available for airflow, explaining Lola’s progressive breathing difficulty.
There is little published information available in the literature, but we are fortunate to have an experienced surgical team who had seen and treated this before. Given the location and extent of the cysts, surgical resection was recommended. The soft palate is a delicate anatomical region that plays a critical role in both breathing and swallowing, and surgery in this area requires careful planning and meticulous tissue handling to minimise the risk of post-operative complications.
During the procedure, the surgical team successfully removed the largest cyst intact and carefully dissected two additional cysts from within the surrounding tissues. The surgery required precise atraumatic technique to preserve normal function while fully excising the abnormal structures.
Histopathology confirmed the cysts were benign. Although recurrence cannot be completely excluded in rare developmental conditions of this type, Lola’s prognosis following complete removal is favourable.
Lola has since made an excellent recovery and has returned home to her family. Her breathing has normalised and she has resumed her usual activities.
Aidan Mcalinden, Specialist at Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists, commented: