Horner's Syndrome in Cats

Author: Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation: 5 August 2021
Update Date: 1 May 2024
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Horner's syndrome is a generally momentary condition that is characterized by a set of neurological and ophthalmic signs that affect the eyeball and its adnexa. If your cat's eye looks strange and different than normal and you notice that the pupils are different in size, one eye is drooping, or the third eyelid is visible and bulging, then it's likely you're dealing with a case of Horner's syndrome. If you want to know more about Horner's syndrome in cats, be sure to read this article by PeritoAnimal.

Horner's syndrome in cats: what is it?

Horner's syndrome refers to a set of neuro-ophthalmic signs related to the momentary or permanent loss of sympathetic innervation of the eyeball and its adnexa.


There are many causes that can lead to Horner's syndrome. Since it originates in the nervous system, any region that includes the corresponding nerves may be affected, from the middle/inner ear, neck, chest to portions of the cervical spine, and it is necessary to check each of these regions to be able to rule out or include suspicions. .

Possible Causes of Horner's Syndrome in Cats

Thus, Horner's syndrome in cats may be due to:

  • Middle and/or internal otitis;
  • Impact trauma or bites;
  • Infarctions;
  • Infections;
  • Inflammations;
  • Masses such as abscesses or cysts;
  • Spinal disc diseases;
  • Neoplasms.

The lesions can be of three orders depending on their location:

  • 1st order: are relatively rare and are usually associated with other neurological deficits such as ataxia (lack of motor coordination), paresis, plegia, decreased visual acuity and altered mental status.
  • 2nd order: resulting from damage to the cervical spinal cord, due to trauma, bite, infarction, neoplasia or inflammation.
  • 3rd order: are the most common in animals with untreated otitis media or internal or neoplasm involving the middle or inner ear. They are usually accompanied by vestibular syndrome.

Horner's syndrome in cats: main symptoms

The following possible signs of Horner's syndrome in cats may appear singly or simultaneously, for example:


Anisocoria

Anisocoria is defined as the pupillary diameter asymmetry and, in Horner's syndrome, miosis occurs in cats of the affected eye, that is, the affected eye is more contracted than the contralateral one. This condition is best evaluated in low-light environments, because in bright environments both eyes are very twitching and do not allow you to distinguish which one is affected or not.

If you are wondering if anisocoria in cats has a cure and other issues related to anisocoria, PeritoAnimal has an article on anisocoria in cats.

Third eyelid protrusion

The third eyelid is normally located in the medial corner of the eye, but in this situation it can move, externalize and become visible, and may even cover the cat's eye. This one clinical sign is also common in Haw syndrome, which we'll talk a little bit below.


eyelid ptosis

Due to the loss of eyelid innervation, there may be a reduction in the palpebral fissure, that is, the eyelid is drooping.

Enophthalmia

It is characterized by the retraction of the eyeball into the orbit, that is, eye sinking. This condition occurs secondarily and is due to the decreased tone of the periorbital muscles that support the eye. In this case, the animal's vision is not affected, although the affected eye may not be able to see due to the drooping eyelid.

Horner's syndrome in cats: diagnosis

Tell your veterinarian if your pet has recently been involved in any sort of fight or accident. For the diagnosis to be discovered it is necessary for the veterinarian to:

  • Join the entire history of the animal;
  • Perform a complete physical examination, including ophthalmic, neurological and otoscopic examination;
  • Use the complementary exams you deem necessary, such as blood count and biochemistry, radiography (RX), computerized tomography (CAT) and/or magnetic resonance (MR).

In addition, there is a direct pharmacological test, called direct phenylephrine test. In this test, one to two drops of phenylephrine eye drops cats are applied to each eye, and in healthy eyes none of the pupils will dilate. If, on the other hand, it dilates up to 20 minutes after placing the drops, it is indicative of an injury. Normally, can't find out what is causing the syndrome and, therefore, is said to be idiopathic.

Also find out how the diagnosis of Horner's syndrome in dogs is made in this article by PeritoAnimal.

Treatment for Horner's Syndrome

In cases where an adjacent cause is identified, the treatment is directed to that same cause, because the Horner's syndrome in cats does not have direct treatment, however there may be symptomatic treatment with phenylephrine drops placed in the affected eye every 12-24 hours.

Treatment of the underlying cause may include, among other things:

  • Ear cleaning, in cases of ear infections;
  • Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or other drugs;
  • Drops to dilate the pupil of the affected eye;
  • Surgery for operable tumors, and/or radio or chemotherapy.

The reversibility of the process is closely linked to the underlying cause and severity of the injury. If the cause is identified and the appropriate treatment is applied, Horner's syndrome is self-limiting, that is, most cases resolve spontaneously and symptoms eventually disappear. It usually lasts between 2 to 8 weeks, but it can last for a few months.

Haw Syndrome: what is it?

Haw Syndrome in cats is a unusual condition that originates the acute bilateral third eyelid protrusion or, also designated, nictitating membrane and that can be seen in cats. It is due to changes in the sympathetic innervation of the third eyelid, which promote its displacement, changes similar to Horner's Syndrome.

Since Horner's syndrome in cats and other similar diseases also cause the third eyelid to protrude, it is necessary to make a differential diagnosis to identify it. This condition is also self-limiting, being that for haw syndrome in cats treatment is only recommended when there is reduction or loss of vision.

Learn more about vestibular syndrome in cats in this PeritoAnimal article.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Horner's Syndrome in Cats, we recommend that you enter our Neurological Disorders section.