ArcaMax

Q: Hobie, my middle-aged indoor-outdoor cat, awoke this morning with one very abnormal eye. His upper lid droops, and a white film covers the inside corner of the eye. What caused this? Will it resolve on its own, or should I take Hobie to his veterinarian?

A: I'd advise a trip to the vet. It sounds like Hobie has Horner's syndrome, which is not a specific disease but the name of a group of clinical signs.

Horner's syndrome, which usually occurs in only one eye, is characterized by an abrupt onset of drooping of the upper eyelid; elevation of the nictitans, or third eyelid, the white film you see in the inner corner of Hobie's eye; retraction of the eyeball deeper into its socket; and constriction of the pupil so it remains small.

These changes result from damage to nerves of the sympathetic nervous system in the head or neck. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response.

These nerves open the eyelids wider, retract the nictitans, hold the eyeball forward in the eye socket and dilate the pupil -- enhancing vision and giving the cat a fierce look.

When the body is at rest, the sympathetic nervous system is balanced by the parasympathetic nervous system. Its nerves have the opposite effects.

So, when the sympathetic nerves are damaged, only the parasympathetic nerves exert an effect -- and Hobie exhibits Horner's syndrome.

The causes are many and include trauma, a middle ear infection, a tumor pushing on a nerve or an eye problem. Many times, a cause can't be found.

Horner's syndrome itself doesn't require treatment, but whatever is causing it should be evaluated. For example, Hobie may have a bite wound on his neck that isn't obvious because cat skin is elastic and closes over wounds. However, bacteria deposited beneath the skin can cause a painful abscess.

So, take Hobie to his veterinarian, who can determine what treatment, if any, is needed.

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