Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by another underlying condition. It sometimes does not cause any signs, but when severe, can cause poor appetite, listlessness, salivation, and difficulty swallowing. Tonsillitis is rare in cats. If a bacterial infection is the cause, appropriate antibiotics provide effective treatment. Most cases of tonsillitis do not require removal of the tonsils (see Lung and Airway Disorders of Dogs: Tonsillitis in Dogs).

Last full review/revision July 2011 by Ned F. Kuehn, DVM, MS, DACVIM; Stuart M. Taylor, PhD, BVMS, MRCVS, DECVP; Neil W. Dyer, DVM, MS, DACVP; Joe Hauptman, DVM, MS, DACVS