Horner's syndrome associated with Escherichia coli infection in a raccoon (Procyon lotor) - Case Report

This clinical case describes a three-year-old male raccoon (Procyon lotor), 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 leftventrolateral area of the neck as well as clinical signs compatible with Horner's Syndrome in the lefteye. A hypersensitivity test was carried out by sympathetic innervation with topical epinephrine 0.0001% and results suggested the presence of second-order Horner's Syndrome formed by pressure from the abscess on the sympathetic innervation of the lefteye. 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 Horner'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. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]