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.
Horner's Syndrome Average Cost
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Average Cost
$850
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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.
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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 Average Cost
From 201 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$850
Top
Horner's Syndrome Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Yellow Lab
Buddy
9 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Horners
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.
Oct. 18, 2017
1 Recommendations
Around half of cases of Horner’s Syndrome are idiopathic meaning that we are unable to find a cause; trauma, spinal conditions, ear infections, tumours and other disorders are considered possible causes. It is important to make sure the eye on the affected side is lubricated if the eye cannot close, but without determining a cause treatment is supportive and symptomatic. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 18, 2017
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Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Indy
12 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
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!
Oct. 4, 2017
1 Recommendations
The phenylephrine (not phenylalanine) test is a diagnostic test and is used to compare the dilation of pupils on both eyes usually; post ganglionic Horner’s Syndrome may still require further diagnostic imaging to determine a cause but still helps to narrow down the cause as all that has been ruled out is pre ganglionic causes. There are various causes of Horner’s syndrome but in most cases no cause can be found and it is determined to be idiopathic with most cases resolving without any treatment (apart from lubrication of the eye and third eyelid as required). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 4, 2017
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Golden Retriever
Jinty
8 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
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?
Sept. 25, 2017
1 Recommendations
The green mucus may be down to some infection since the eyelid may be droopy leaving the eye open to infection. Clean the eye and administer some ophthalmic antibiotic drops which you could pick up from a pet shop (depending on your location). However, it would be best to check in with your Veterinarian for a progress update. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 25, 2017
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Horner's Syndrome Average Cost
From 201 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$850
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
