This is why it’s essential that your veterinarian performs a thorough ear evaluation. Severe inner ear infections can cause facial paralysis, as well as head tilt and ataxia. Ruling out all of these is essential when it comes to your cat’s prognosis and treatment going forward. That being said, some other ailments can be mistaken for Horner’s Syndrome. It’s important to understand that Horner’s Syndrome is a group of particular clinical signs concurrently occurring and not a disease itself. Of course, if there is a tumor that is pressing or causing inflammation to the nerve, then surgical removal may be an option.Ĭan any Other Ailments be Mistaken for Horner’s Syndrome? If your cat’s eye is staying dilated, then phenylephrine eye drops can be given to correct it. The lubrication will help avoid corneal ulcers that are caused by your cat’s inability to blink. If it takes a long time, this is indicative of how far away the nerve damage is in proximity to the eye.Įye drops are often prescribed to keep your cat’s eyes lubricated properly since their blink response is not working. This test forces the pupil to dilate and measures how long it takes to return to its normal state. These tests will help identify what is going on with your cat.Ī phenylephrine test can also be performed to locate sympathetic nerve damage. If your cat is your veterinarian will get him/her stable first, followed by testing. Tests include ear exams, CT scans, radiographs, neurological examination, physical examination with a thorough history, complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis.Īll of these tests will be performed, provided your cat is not in dire stress or facing life-threatening injuries. In the meantime, your veterinarian will perform a list of diagnostic tests to rule out other diseases to possibly find what is causing this condition to occur. If the underlying cause is identified, then it’s vital that it is treated. Pinpointing the exact cause will determine your veterinarians’ course of treatment.
What are the Available Treatment Options?įortunately, it is less likely for cats to have idiopathic (unknown cause) Horner’s Syndrome and, therefore, easier to pinpoint a cause. It can be from blunt force trauma like being hit by a car, bite wounds from a fight, intervertebral disc disease, retrobulbar eye disease, tumors pressing on or damaging these areas, blood clots, or middle ear disease. This can come from trauma to the neck, spinal cord, or head. Horner’s Syndrome is caused mainly by trauma to the sympathetic nervous system. Enophthalmos (affected eye appears sunken in).Miosis (constricted/smaller than usual pupil on the affected side).Ptosis (unilateral drooping of the eyelid, on the affected side).It’s important to understand that Horner’s Syndrome is not a disease itself but a phenomenon that occurs when all clinical signs are present.
Read below to find out more information on it! The Causes and Clinical Signs of Feline Horner’s Syndrome This causes a snowball effect of clinical signs that, when grouped together, is known as Horner’s Syndrome. Horner’s Syndrome occurs when the parasympathetic nerve becomes dysfunctional. But what causes it? In this article, we discuss Horner’s Syndrome. The lens is behind the pupil, but it is not seen when healthy, as it should be clear.8 Summary Definition of Horner’s Syndrome in Catsįacial drooping can be quite common and evident on a cat’s face. The pupil is a hole in the center of the iris. The pupils should be the same size and should constrict to a slit when a bright light is shined in the eye. The pupil is the black spot in the center of the eye. ragged edges or iris atrophy, although this can occur with aging.Some, but not all, cats with blue eyes are deaf. The iris can be one of several different colors and some cats have two different color irises. Peering through the pupil, you look through the lens, which is clear, and you may see a very bright colorful structure, which is the retina. yellow discoloration, indicating jaundice.In health, the conjunctiva should be about the same shade of pink as the gums.Ībnormal findings on the conjunctiva include: If you stretch the lid more, you will see a pink tissue or the conjunctiva.