Idiopathic facial paralysis in the dog

Abstract

Facial nerve paralysis of acute onset is reported in seven mature dogs, five of which were cocker spaniels. The clinical signs were characterised by ear drooping, lip commissural paralysis, sialosis, and collection of food on the paralysed side of the mouth. All dogs showed absent menace responses and trigeminofacial/acousticofacial reflexes. Horner's syndrome was not present in any dog. In four dogs, bilateral facial paralysis developed. The facial paralysis was unrelated to otitis media. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed denervation potentials and absent evoked muscle potentials. Facial nerve biopsies from two cases showed nerve fibre degeneration and apparent loss of larger diameter myelinated fibres. The condition has been termed idiopathic facial paralysis since the aetiopathogenesis is presently unknown.

Disorders of the Face, Tongue, Esophagus, Larynx, and Ear

“…17 Otitis media/interna was the most frequently associated disease in dogs. 17,19 Cocker spaniels are also at greater risk of otitis media or interna than is the general canine population. 18 In dogs, the cocker spaniel has an increased incidence of facial paralysis.…”

“…Hypothyroidism was found in some. 19 Clinical Signs. 17,19 Cocker spaniels are also at greater risk of otitis media or interna than is the general canine population.…”

“…17,19 Cocker spaniels are also at greater risk of otitis media or interna than is the general canine population. 19 Diagnosis. 19 Clinical Signs.…”

Bell's palsy with concomitant idiopathic cranial nerve polyneuropathy in seven dogs

“…In all seven dogs the palpebral reflex improved, although the eyelid closure was still incomplete. In contrast, a complete recovery from the head tilt was seen in all seven dogs (Adour 1975, Braund and others 1979, Knox 1998). No signs of masticatory muscle atrophy were observed.…”

Histomorphologic findings in the facial nerve after water-jet dissection of the parotid gland in dogs

“…Meist handelt es sich um einzelne Fallberichte über Läsionen des Gesichtsnerven [3,5,14,20,26,28] oder um experimentelle Studien, in denen der N. facialis vorsätzlich geschädigt wurde [12,18,23,24,29].…”