![]() When the cause can be determined, your veterinarian will develop an appropriate treatment plan to address the condition and alleviate your dog’s signs. However, Horner’s syndrome indicates underlying nerve damage, and the cause may need addressing. Horner’s syndrome is not painful and does not affect the dog’s vision, so treatment isn’t necessary. Golden retrievers are at higher risk for the idiopathic condition. When the lesion cannot be determined, Horner’s syndrome is classified as idiopathic. Medications, such as specific eye drops, can be administered to stimulate different sympathetic nervous system segments to help determine the damaged area, and imaging modalities, including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT scan), may also be used. When an ear infection, injury, or tumor isn’t apparent, the lesion must be localized to determine the underlying cause. Localizing the lesion causing the dog’s Horner’s syndrome ![]() These lesions are the most common cause of Horner’s syndrome in dogs. Postganglionic segment damage is called a third order lesion and involves infection or trauma to the middle ear. Postganglionic segment - The last segment, the postganglionic segment, starts below the ear and travels to the eye.Preganglionic segment damage is called a second order lesion, and can occur when the foreleg is pulled and the armpit area nerves are overstretched, from neck trauma, such as pulling extremely hard on a leash, and neck or chest tumors. Preganglionic segment - The nerves exit the spinal cord inside the chest at the the second thoracic vertebra level, and travel on the right and left sides up the neck to the middle ear vicinity.Damage in this area is called a first order lesion, and includes brain tumors or trauma, vascular brain accidents, and herniated vertebral discs. Central segment - The first segment begins as the nerves exit the brain at the hypothalamus and travel through the brainstem and down the spinal cord in the neck area.The sympathetic nerves that innervate the eye region can be damaged at any point on their long path from the brain. Damage to the dog’s sympathetic nervous system When the sympathetic nerves supplying the eye region are damaged, only the parasympathetic nerves work, causing Horner’s syndrome. ![]() These two nervous systems work together to maintain balance in a healthy body, with one system slightly dominating the other, depending on the situation. In the eye region, this system dilates the pupil, widens the eyelids, drops the third eyelid, and keeps the eye in a forward position in the socket. ![]() Sympathetic nervous system - The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for a fight or flight situation.In the eye region, this system constricts the pupil, raises the third eyelid, and retracts the eye for protection. Parasympathetic nervous system - The parasympathetic nervous system maintains the body during a normal state.The autonomic nervous system is composed of two antagonistic nerve sets: The nervous system is composed of the somatic nervous system, which supplies skin and muscles and is involved in conscious activity, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls bodily functions not consciously directed, such as heart and respiratory rates, blood circulation, and pupil dilation and constriction. Understanding the dog’s sympathetic nervous system Increased pink color, and nose and ear warmth on the affected side. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |