Horner's Syndrome Associated with Escherichia Coli Infection in a Raccoon (Procyon lotor) - A Case Report

Abstract

This clinical case describes a three-year-old male raccoon (Procyon tutor), castrated, from La Lajita Oasis Park Zoological Park (Spain) which showed lack of appetite, state of mental depression and mild dehydration. During clinical examination an abscess was detected in the left ventrolateral area of the neck as well as clinical signs compatible with Homer's Syndrome in the left eye. A hypersensitivity test was carried out by sympathetic innervation with topical epinephrine 0.0001% and results suggested the presence of second-order Homer's Syndrome formed by pressure from the abscess on the sympathetic innervation of the left eye. A radiologic study of the neck was performed and blood and samples of the abscess exudates were obtained. A culture of the exudates revealed the presence of Escherichia coli. Initial treatment was introduced according to indications resulting from the previously obtained antibiogram. Symptoms disappeared six days after the initial treatment. While Homer's Syndrome is a common clinical finding in small animal clinics, it is more complicated to observe in wild carnivores, yet diagnostic and therapeutic techniques applicable to domestic animals can be used as a reference for small carnivores of the Procyonidae family.