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  • Project Breathe

    Project Breathe is an international initiative started by Invisible Fence Brand with the goal of equipping all first responding emergency units throughout Canada, the US and the UK with specially designed pet oxygen masks.

    Caledon Mountain Veterinary Hospital would like to raise awa... Read More

  • Project Pet Slimdown

    Project Pet Slimdown is a weight loss program designed for your cat/dog to help them lose weight.  By losing weight they can lead a happier, healthier and longer life.  Each pet will get their own individual program designed for them because, as we know, every pet is dif... Read More

  • New reception email address

    Effective immediately the new email address to contact our reception desk is:

    cmvhreception@gmail.com

     Please make the appropriate changes to your contact lists.  Thank you.

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  • Help Dr. Juan Elduayen

    Juan Elduayen is a wonderful and well-respected veterinarian in Toronto.  He emigrated with his family from Venezuela and has been working for the past couple of years at both the Woodbine Animal Clinic and Front Street Animal Hospital.  A huge blow came when he was very recently diag... Read More

  • Blood Donor Program

    Call us for more information about our blood donor program.  519-927-5775 ask for Ashley Read More

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     You can enter your pet's photo for our Pet of the Month contest by emailing your pet's photo to cmvhreception@gmail.com with "pet of the month" in the subject line and watch... Read More

HORNER’S SYNDROME PDF Print E-mail

What is Horner’s syndrome?

Horner’s syndrome is a common neurological disorder of the eye and facial muscles. The condition usually occurs suddenly. The most common clinical signs are:

·         drooping of  the eyelids on the affected side (ptosis) 

·         the pupil of the affected eye will be constricted (miosis)

·         the affected eye often appears sunken  (enophthalmos)

·         the third eyelid of the affected eye may appear red and raised (prolapse of the third eyelid, conjunctival hyperemia)

What causes Horner’s syndrome?

Horner’s syndrome is due to a dysfunction of the sympathetic nerves of the eyes and surrounding facial muscles. This is part of the autonomic nervous system, which helps to control normal functions such as blinking, muscle tone, etc.

There are many reasons for Horner’s Syndrome. The most common cause is classified as ‘ideopathic’ which means it is self-originating and without known cause. The onset can be very sudden. Within a few hours you observe that your dog has drooping eyelids and may be having difficulty eating on the affected side with excessive salivation.

The damage to the sympathetic pathway can be in the neck or chest and can be due to tumors or intervertebral disc disease. Sometimes there is known damage to the neck area (bite wounds, blunt trauma, etc.). Middle or inner ear disease (otitis media and interna) can also cause Horner’s Syndrome.

Does it affect any particular breed or age of dog?

Any dog can develop Horner’s Syndrome although Golden retrievers and Cocker Spaniels have a somewhat higher incidence.

What is the treatment?

Most cases of Horner’s Syndrome will resolve spontaneously. It is important to treat any underlying disease. There are several diagnostic tests that will be performed to determine if there is an underlying cause in your pet. Symptomatic treatment usually involves phenylephrine drops placed in each eye every 12-24 hours.

What is the recovery rate?

If the lesion is not due to any pathological cause, a slow recovery can be expected.

What is the outlook?

Very good, if there is no underlying pathological cause present. The condition tends to be self-resolving but may take weeks or months depending on the severity.

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This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest E. Ward Jr., DVM.

 © Copyright 2002 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. August 9, 2004.
 
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