Development of alternating, ipsilateral Horner syndrome and Pourfour du Petit syndrome associated with oesophagostomy tube placement in a cat.

case summaryA 12-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented to a referral hospital for chronic intermittent hyporexia and weight loss. An abdominal ultrasound was performed, which revealed a mid-jejunal mass and mesenteric lymphadenomegaly. Surgical resection and placement of an oesophagostomy tube (O-tube) was performed. Upon recovery the cat exhibited signs of Horner syndrome, which resolved over the span of 2 weeks. Subsequently, the cat developed signs of unilateral Pourfour du Petit syndrome in the left eye at day 20 and unilateral Horner syndrome at day 25 ipsilateral to the O-tube insertion site. The O-tube was removed 32 days postoperatively, and Horner syndrome resolved 24 h later. Follow-up examination 15 months later did not show any recurrence of ocular signs. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To our knowledge, this represents the first report of alternating ipsilateral Horner and Pourfour du Petit syndrome in a single patient that underwent placement of an O-tube. Neurological complications after O-tube placement are uncommon, with only a single previously published report of a cat developing Horner syndrome after O-tube placement. Veterinarians should consider potential ocular and neurological complications after O-tube placement and monitor for such signs postoperatively.