Horner syndrome is a condition that usually occurs momentarily and worries any guardian, if your dog’s eye is different from normal and you notice that one eye is drooping, the third eyelid is visible and bulging, or the pupils are a different size, one of them is tighter than the other, then it’s likely to be a case.Horner syndrome.
For more information on Horner syndrome in dogs, be sure to read this Animal Expert article.
- Horner syndrome is the set of neuro-ophthalmic signs that arise from the interruption of the nice inervation of one or both eyeballs and their appendages.
Many causes can lead to Horner syndrome.Since it comes from the nervous system, any region that includes the nerves involved can be affected, from the middle/inner ear, from the neck, from the chest to the parts of the cervical spine, it is necessary to check each of these regions to exclude or include suspicions.
Thus, Horner syndrome can lead to
The main clinical signs of Horner syndrome may appear alone or simultaneously are:
Anisocoria is characterized by an asymmetrical pupil diameter, in particular myosis (contraction) of the affected eye, i.e. the pupil of the affected eye is more contracted than the control lateral pupil.
To specifically evaluate myosis in dogs, it is recommended to perform it in low light environments, since in very bright environments the eyes are very tight and do not distinguish which dog has contracted the pupil.If you wonder if anisocoria in dogs is curable, it is a self-limiting condition, which resolves itself.
The third eyelid is usually located in the medial corner of the eye, but in Horner syndrome, it can move, externalize and remain, and can cover the dog’s eye, depending on the level of the lump.
Horner syndrome can cause eyelid ptosis, i.e. a drop in the upper eyelid in the eye.
It is characterized by the retraction of the eyeball in orbit, i.e. there is a sinking of the eye.
This condition is due to the decrease in the tone of the perirbiary musculature that supports the eye.In this case, the animal’s vision is not affected, although the affected eye may not be able to see if the drooping eyelid is associated.
Tell your veterinarian if your pet has recently been involved in a fight or accident.The veterinarian shall collect all information from the animal’s history, perform a complete and thorough physical examination, including at the ophthalmic, neurological and otoscopic level, and also use any additional tests it deems necessary, such as blood and biochemical count formula, x-ray (X-ray), computed tomography (CAT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
In addition, there is a direct pharmacological test, called a direct phenylephrine test, this test applies one to two drops of phenylephrine eye drops in each eye and, in healthy eyes, does not expand the pupils.expands within 20 minutes of the placement of the drops, indicating an injury.
Usually the cause of this problem is not discovered and this syndrome is said to be of idiopathic origin, idiopathic Horner syndrome is very common in dogs such as Golden Retrievers and Collies, possibly due to genetic factors.
Treatment of Horner syndrome in cases where an adjacent cause is identified targets the same cause, as Horner syndrome does not have a direct therapeutic resource, symptomatic treatment may be performed with phenylephrine drops placed in the affected eye every 12 to 24 hours.
Treatment of the underlying cause may include, but is not limited to
Horner syndrome is a set of self-limiting signs, i.e. it is a syndrome with a limited and determined period, which eventually resolves on its own, which usually lasts between 2 to 8 weeks, but can last a few months, for example., idiopathic syndrome in dogs usually goes away in 6 months.
Process reversibility is closely related to the underlying cause and severity of the injury.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read similar articles about Horner syndrome in dogs: symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you visit our Eye Problems section.