It is important to treat any underlying disease. Most cases of Horner’s syndrome will resolve spontaneously, however for some dogs, the change will be permanent. Any dog can develop Horner’s syndrome, although golden retrievers have a somewhat higher incidence. This usually carries a much better prognosis.

However, Horner’s syndrome in dogs is often classified as “idiopathic,” which means it is without known cause. Middle or inner ear disease (otitis media or interna) can cause post-ganglionic Horner’s syndrome. Post-ganglionic Horner’s means the affected area is closer to the eye (path 3 on the diagram). Pre-ganglionic involvement (path 1 & 2 on the diagram) can be caused by infection, inflammation, injury, masses amongst other diseases and prognosis is usually more guarded. Miosis (constricted pupil) Ptosis (droopy upper eyelid) Enophthalmos (sunken eyeball) Elevated third eyelid as a result. We can attempt to differentiate between the two categories based on how (and how quickly) the eye responds to a drug that mimics sympathetic stimulation. Horner’s is categorized into two phases: pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic. Damage occurring anywhere along that path can result in Horner’s syndrome. The sympathetic innervation to the eye is rather long (coursing from brain, down the spinal cord, through the chest, past the ear and back up to the eye). The third eyelid of the affected eye may appear red and raised.The affected eye often appears sunken (enophthalmos).If it is accompanied by droopy eyes, your dog is probably conveying some kind of happiness or pleasure. More specifically, when it comes to sighs, it depends on what your dog is doing as they sigh. The pupil of the affected eye will be constricted/small (miosis) Why do dogs sigh loudly According to the American Kennel Club, dogs sigh as a way to express their emotions, which is why they do almost anything.Drooping of the eyelids on the affected side (ptosis).The most common clinical signs of Horner’s syndrome are: If you suspect your dog is not moving his face properly, a visit to you veterinarian is warranted. Your veterinarian will perform a neurological exam, an ear exam and eye exam. Blood work can be performed as well as a thyroid panel to look for hypothyroidism. If an inner-ear infection is suspected, oral antibiotics can be prescribed. If a corneal ulcer is detected specific eye medications are used. If the eye appears healthy, it is helpful to use artificial tears to help keep the cornea healthy while the dog is not blinking. Consultation with a veterinary neurologist and an MRI of the head and brain can be considered to rule out other causes, such as a tumor, stroke or encephalitis.Horner’s syndrome is a non-painful condition where the flight-fight innervation to the eye (sympathetic innervation) is interrupted. There are several causes of facial paralysis in dogs, the most common of which is idiopathic facial nerve paralysis. There is no specific cause for this syndrome and it is diagnosed by ruling out other causes, including an inner/middle ear infection, hypothyroidism, inflammatory diseases of the brain and tumors of the nerve or inner ear. While dogs can have “strokes” or vascular accidents in the brain, they usually don’t result in just a facial paralysis but rather a combination of other clinical signs such as balance disorders, seizures, changes in behavior, gait, etc.

Droppy eye dog