Horner's syndrome in dogs and cats: 100 cases (1975-1985)

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 195; no. 3; p. 369
• Main Authors: Kern, T.J. (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY), Aromando, M.C, Erb, H.N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1989
• Subjects: AETIOLOGY; ANIMAL DISEASE SYMPTOMS; Animals; Cat Diseases - etiology; CATS; CHAT; CHIEN; Dog Diseases - etiology; DOGS; ENFERMEDADES (OJOS); ETIOLOGIA; ETIOLOGIE; EYE DISEASES; Female; FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS; GATO; Horner Syndrome - etiology; Horner Syndrome - veterinary; MALADIE DE L'OEIL; Male; PARALISIS; PARALYSIE; PARALYSIS; PATHOLOGIE; PATHOLOGY; PATOLOGIA; PERRO; Retrospective Studies; SINTOMAS DE ENFERMEDADES (ANIMALES); SYMPTOME DE MALADIE ANIMALE; TRASTORNOS FUNCIONALES; TROUBLE FONCTIONNEL
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X

The medical records of 74 dogs and 26 cats with Horner's syndrome (HS) that were admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine between January 1975 and October 1985 were reviewed. In dogs, but not cats, HS was associated significantly (P less than 0.01) with increasing age. Dogs with hypothyroidism (defined liberally but not rigorously), intracranial neoplasia, or thoracic neoplasia, cats with otitis media/interna (defined liberally), and dogs and cats with brachial plexus root avulsion were at greater risk for developing HS than were animals that were hit by a car. Dogs and cats with otitis externa were at less risk of developing HS than were animals that were hit by a car. The cause of HS could not be determined in 50% of dogs and 42.3% of cats. The results of topical adrenergic drug testing in dogs were inconclusive in localizing lesion site. In dogs and cats, HS appeared to be unassociated with gender, breed, or right vs left side. The important causes of HS in dogs and cats were trauma (hit by car), brachial plexus root avulsion, intracranial and thoracic neoplasia, and otitis media/interna.