Horner’s Syndrome in Dogs… What is it? And do I need to fix it?

Horner’s Syndrome is one of those medical conditions that your “average Joe” probably isn’t going to know all that much about simply because it’s a pretty rare condition. This is a bit ironic because one of the leading causes of Horner’s Syndrome in dogs is the “banging” of the head or neck trauma, and as we all know, there are a lot of different types of dogs out there that tend to bump their heads (says the proud owner of a little black Pug!)

But just because…

Horner’s Syndrome is a relatively rare disease, but this doesn’t change the fact that if your dog has been diagnosed with it, knowing more about it will be your priority. This is why we decided to include Horner’s Syndrome in our list of common ailments that can inflict on our pets so that if you have an animal diagnosed with Horner’s, you might have a better idea of what’s to come after reading this article.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Horner’s Syndrome Defined.

Horner’s Syndrome is a medical condition that arises when the dog suffers damage to a group of nerves, often referred to as the sympathetic trunk. This area relates to the spinal cord and chest and affects the sympathetic nervous system around the face and neck, leading to lax muscles and the appearance of drooping.

What makes this condition…

So terrifying is that it can strike any dog at any time, and all it takes is a nasty bump on the head. And when it does, you’re going to find that it will affect the eye on one side of your dog’s face—causing your dog’s beginning to appear as if he suddenly lacks control of the movement there. This condition is classified as a syndrome because it summarises several symptoms commonly observed simultaneously. In this case, the Syndrome encapsulates a list of symptoms that focus on the eye and brain area.

It should also be noted that…

Horner’s Syndrome is sometimes congenital (or hereditary) but can just as quickly be caused by a seemingly harmless knock on the head that does unknown damage to the spinal cord. The disease can also trigger this Syndrome (such as a middle ear infection), but the Syndrome can be symptomatic of certain conditions (such as a cancerous tumor). It can also be triggered by a lesion or bite wound around the carotid artery that adversely infects the sympathetic pathway.

Unfortunately…

Because there are so many possible causes of this disease, there isn’t any way for an individual to prevent this from happening to their dog, so when it does, it’s just “bad luck”! Additionally, because the symptoms associated with this Syndrome can vary and may not present themselves all at once, your vet may have difficulty diagnosing the Syndrome at first, which can delay the implementation of a proper treatment plan immediately.

This is why…

Suppose you suspect that your dog may have Horner’s Syndrome. In that case, you’ll want to go to the vet, but also note any symptoms you can provide your veterinarian with as much information as possible.

Possible symptoms you may see may include:

• Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid) in one eye.
• Anhidrosis (lack of sweating – remember that a dog’s sweat glands are on his tongue, so if you have noticed that he isn’t panting even in high heat, it is possibly a symptom).
• The pupil will not dilate quickly in response to light (also known as a ‘constricted pupil’ or ‘Miosis’ in severe cases).
• The eyeball may appear to have sunken back into the skull.
• The ear on that side of your pup’s head will feel warmer than usual; this symptom might also appear in the nose.
• You might notice that the eye has more visible blood vessels than usual.

Horner’s Syndrome is only diagnosed when all of the above symptoms are in evidence.  The good news is that Horner’s Syndrome is often not painful to the dog, and sometimes your vet may decide not to do anything further than see your pet and, via otoscopic examination, make a diagnosis.

Commonly Affected Breeds

Golden Retrievers are specifically at risk. They are the breed most likely to suffer from the congenital variant of the disease. Aside from them, any other dog can be diagnosed with Horner’s Syndrome. This is because of the many ways in which it can be triggered. Bumps on the head and bite wounds are as random as can be – and we can’t wrap them in bubble wrap forever!

Treatment Options for Horner’s Syndrome

Since this is not usually a condition that causes the dog any pain, the vet may choose not to treat it. In most cases, they prescribe regular eye drops to prevent the eyes from becoming itchy or sore. They may wish to undergo more tests (X-rays and MRI scans mainly) to ascertain precisely which part of the sympathetic nervous system is injured and to assure themselves that the dog has no other underlying conditions.

But be warned…

These additional tests can get pricey… your vet may want to pinpoint the specific area of the nervous system that is afflicted to ensure nothing else is happening. They will also want to undergo testing for various other diseases for which this combination of symptoms is frequently associated with Horner’s Syndrome.

We want to remind folks that we at IndulgeYourPet are not doctors, veterinarians, or medical professionals. We are all a bunch of folks passionate about animals and only want what’s best for them.

This is why…

If you feel your pet may have Horner’s Syndrome (or any other health issue), you’ll first want to have them checked out by a vet ASAP! An early diagnosis will often lead to the “best” medical outcome for your pet regardless of what is bothering them, but beyond that, diagnosing a medical condition early could save you a bundle in medical costs!

This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.

Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?

No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?

For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.