What is Horner's Syndrome?
There are other conditions that produce similar symptoms to Horner’s syndrome. Your veterinarian will need to use observations and testing to differentiate between Horner’s syndrome and other conditions such as uveitis. A neurology specialist may be needed to properly diagnose it.
While Horner’s syndrome can affect any dog, there are certain breeds such as the Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel that have a higher incidence of occurrence.
Horner’s syndrome is when the nerves that control certain parts of the eye have been disrupted. The automatic functions between the eye and the brain have become disjointed and therefore, the eye is not functioning properly.
Symptoms of Horner's Syndrome in Dogs
The symptoms of Horner’s syndrome in dogs are similar to those of other conditions. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian for an exam. Your veterinarian may refer you to a neurologist for further diagnosing.
- Drooping of the eyelid on the affected eye
- Constricted pupil of the affected eye
- Sunken appearance of the affected eye
- The third eyelid may appear elevated on the affected eye
- Vision may be impaired
Causes of Horner's Syndrome in Dogs
Horner’s syndrome in dogs occurs when a nerve going from the eye to the brain has been damaged. There are three things that can happen to cause the damage to the nerve.
Central Lesion
The nerve has been damaged somewhere before the nerve exits the spinal cord. Blood clots, spinal cord tumors, brain tumors or trauma can cause the damage in this location. Other neurological signs may present such as stumbling or head tilting.
Preganglionic Lesion
There has been nerve damage between the spinal cord and the synapse. Trauma to the neck or tumors in the neck or chest can cause the damage in this location.
Postganglionic Lesion
The nerve has been damaged between the synapse and the actual eye. This can occur when the ear is cleaned vigorously or the dog has middle ear disease. Most postganglionic lesions have an unknown cause.
Diagnosis of Horner's Syndrome in Dogs
Most veterinarians will diagnose Horner’s syndrome based on clinical symptoms. Once it has been diagnosed, however, it is important to find out where the interruption between the brain and the eye is occurring. This can be done by your veterinarian or you may be referred to a specialist.
A phenylephrine solution eye drop will be put in both eyes of your dog. If the affected eye responds to the solution by resolving all clinical symptoms and appears normal, the damage is postganglionic. If the eye does not respond to the eye drops, additional diagnostic testing will be required. Chest x-rays, blood work, radiographs, pharmacological testing on the eye and an MRI are some of the testing that may be required to determine the location of the damage and set a treatment plan.
Treatment of Horner's Syndrome in Dogs
Horner’s syndrome, in most cases, will resolve itself. However, treatment of the underlying disease is essential. In cases of unidentifiable causes of Horner’s syndrome, natural recovery will usually recur within 16 weeks to 6 months.
In the case where there is a serious underlying condition, your veterinarian and your veterinarian specialist will set a treatment plan in place to alleviate symptoms and treat the underlying condition.
Recovery of Horner's Syndrome in Dogs
Depending on the location of the damage and the underlying condition, if any, recovery time will vary. If the damage has no known cause, it is best to allow the disease resolve itself. This can take anywhere from 16 weeks to 6 months depending upon the severity of the symptoms.
Your veterinarian will give you a better understanding of recovery time once an underlying condition has been found and a treatment plan has been put in place.
Horner's Syndrome Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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My 13yr pom X (who also has kidney disease)had a Teca procedure on the 20/12/2017. He also had a tumor removed from the same area. Post op 4 wks and he seems to still cough, after eating and drinking sometimes to the point of vomiting. Sometimes the cough is a long drawn out noise, is this referred to as, aspiration? The side if the head where the teca was preformed, the eyelid still can't close over the eye, how long is long enough before we assume that this function will not return?
How long do I wait for the cough to subside before I call it aspiration pneumonia. My dog was given a script for Marbofloxacin which I had compounded to a liquid and administer .7ml daily for 30days to treat bacteria(?) after a sample swab was sent off for a culture report.Is this common after a procedure that I thought would put an end to his non stop cycle of ear infection, antibiotics and ear drops.
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Hi, my Staffordshire bull terrier has been diagnosed with Horners syndrome. Her eye was a little sunken, red and her third eyelid was very visible. Her vision does not seem to be affected and she didn't seem to be irritated by it or in pain. When the vet diagnosed this he applied the phenylalanine drops to her eye and within moments it appeared normal. However 5 hours later it was very irritated and inflamed, and again the third eyelid is visible. Is this just irritation from the drops or are the drops not a treatment, just a diagnostic tool? Do we now need to wait for the horners to go on its own or does the eye returning to this state mean something? I'm not sure if the drops should have resolved this permanently?
Also, I notice that on the info page it says that if the eye does improve when drops are administered then the lesion is postganglionic. Our vet wants to run a full chest and head scan looking for rumours that may have caused the horners, but surely if the info page is correct the improvement of the eye with the drops would rule this out?
Thank you!
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My golden retriever has been diagnosed with idiopathic Horner's syndrome. She has the symptoms. The vet did not do any tests and said just to bring her back in a few weeks. My dog has now ( after 3 weeks) started to have quite a bit of green mucus in the eye. Should I take her back to the vet is this a sign of another problem?
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I have a border collie and golden retriever cross. She has all the visuals of Horner syndrome-sunken eye,3rd eye lid, dropping eye lid, and constricted pupil. I took her to the vet who checked for glaucoma,and tears or ulcer on the eye. How long for the eye to get back to normal.treated for inner ear and sinus infection.
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I have a yellow lab. She has recently had the signs of Horners syndrome (drooping eye). On top of that she has been suffering from limping(not particularly from pain), coughing, respiratory problems, throat problems, not eating and trouble keeping food down. If anyone has any ideas of what may be causing this, please let me know. Thanks!
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9 year old yellow lab. Has had Horner Syndrome symptoms for now 5 months. Latest symptom include excessive drooling and difficulty chewing. His personality and all are the same. We cannot afford a CAT scan. Not sure what else we can do for our precious boy.
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I have a Collie that has the symptoms of Horner's syndrome and have gone to a Vet but they did not do any testing just took the pressure on the effected eye and checked the ears, said to come back in two weeks if things did not change. By all things that I have read should more testing be done? I am a little nervous as they also mentioned a tumour. Should I take her to someone else or get them to do more? If it is a tumour should that not be found early?
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Horner’s Syndrome is a diagnosis by exclusion where all other possible causes like trauma, tumours etc… are ruled out before a diagnosis is made. Generally cases of Horner’s Syndrome resolve themselves; however if the cause is a tumour or another cause then medical or surgical intervention may be required. Your Veterinarian may be taking a wait and see approach and may check the progression after two weeks and other regular intervals to determine the cause. If you are looking for further tests, then a visit to a Specialist and indepth radiology studies to confirm and rule out other causes would be required. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
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have a yellow lab. She has recently had the signs of Horners syndrome (drooping eye). On top of that she has been suffering from limping(not particularly from pain), coughing, respiratory problems, throat problems, not eating and trouble keeping food down. If anyone has any ideas of what may be causing this, please let me know.
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