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Pet Health Watch
with Dr. Main
My dog awoke with a droopy upper lip.
What could it be?
to look at the middle ear and the
brainstem, which is the area the
cranial nerves originate.
D
ogs get a relatively common condition that is quite
similar to Bell’s palsy in humans, called facial nerve
paralysis. The facial nerve is an important cranial nerve
that sends signals to (innervates) all facial expression
muscles, taste buds, and the tear producing gland.
Again the most common cause of
FNP is the idiopathic form where
no identifiable cause is determined.
Hence treatment is supportive
rather that directed at a specific
cause. One of the key elements
of treatment is keeping the eye
lubricated with artificial tears. This
treatment is usually long term as
most of these patients never fully recover. The benefit
of corticosteroids is not known in veterinary medicine
for this condition, yet corticosteroids can have a positive
effect in humans with Bell’s palsy.
There are several causes of facial nerve paralysis, the
most common of which is idiopathic meaning the cause
is not known. In fact 75% of the time it is idiopathic. The
other cases can be caused by middle ear infections, low
thyroid levels, and trauma. This condition usually occurs
in middle aged and older dogs, and particularly in the
cocker spaniel. Although not stated in the literature the
golden retriever is commonly affected.
Of course patients with middle ear infections or low
thyroid levels can be treated specifically. Although
hypothyroid dogs may never return to normal relative
to the FNP. As stated the prognosis is poor with this
condition, some patients will have a partial recovery and
some not at all. Rarely FNP will occur on the opposite side
as well. On the positive side, this condition is not a stroke
and not a progressive disease. Most FNP dogs proceed to
live a normal happy life, albeit with lots of eye drops.
This problem usually comes on quickly, and most
pet owners notice lip and or ear droop and excessive
salivation. Sometimes food can get caught on the lip or
fall out of the mouth with this condition. Facial nerve
paralysis (FNP) is not painful. A more subtle feature of
FNP is the lack of proper blinking and tear production
which can lead to a dry eye. Some patients will develop
corneal ulcers.
I n diagnosing FNP the veterinarian will perform a
neurological exam, blood work including a thyroid test,
and tests on the eye to check for tear production and
corneal integrity. In some cases an MRI is completed
Send questions and suggestions for Pet Health Watch to:
Dr. Main, WSHS, 1901 W. Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515
Email: [email protected]
Emails and Letters from Adopters
To all you kind animal people at West Suburban,
This is a report on “Brother,” who we adopted a while back and now answers to his name
Bart. He is doing fine. All his inoculations are up to date, as well as an additional one: dog flu.
He has been completely vet checked, and our vet estimates his age as between one and two
years. We named him Bart; since he’s mostly a black and tan coonhound, a Southern breed,
and “Bubba” derives from “brother” in the south. We did not want him to think of himself as
one of the Bubbas who spend weekends in small town Confederate lockups. He gets along
well with four of our six cats. Two of the cats don’t trust him much. That is the cat’s fault.
Paranoia. No aggression from Bart’s side at all. He has howled a few times, an impressive and
musical howl. He seems very happy. We are too. Thanks. We are sure that he remembers all
of you fondly. Good people.
Chris Schneider and Collette Walker
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