Idiopathic Horner syndrome in the golden retriever

Objectives: Various reports have noted a high incidence of idiopathic Horne r syndrome in golden retriever dogs. The author seeks to document this cond ition in the breed. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was made of cases of Horner synd rome in dogs referred to the author throughout a 10-year period. As part of the general clinical, ophthalmic, and neurologic examination, denervation hyper sensitivity testing was performed to localize the responsible lesion. Follow-up results were obtained in all cases by repeat examination or tele phone contact. Results: Of 155 dogs in the study, 110 were golden retrievers, 100 of which were diagnosed as having idiopathic second order Horner syndrome. Ninety-f ive of the golden retrievers were male, some neutered. Signs resolved spont aneously in all cases within 6 months. Conclusions: There is a high incidence of idiopathic second order Horner sy ndrome in the male golden retriever.