Unusual Canine Rabies Manifesting as Horner’s Syndrome: A Call for Expanded Diagnostic and Reservoir Surveillance

Abstract

Rabies remains a significant zoonotic disease, with classical encephalitic and paralytic forms being the most frequently observed clinical presentations. However, emerging reports suggest atypical manifestations involving sensory and autonomic pathways, raising concerns about alternative transmission sources and viral neurotropism. This study describes an unusual case of rabies in a Doberman exhibiting Horner’s syndrome and neurological deficits in the absence of a bite history. Eight additional canine cases from the same region exhibited similar atypical signs, raising concerns about region-specific rabies virus (RV) variants or alternative wildlife reservoirs. The increasing occurrence of fatal rabies from minor exposures, such as scratches
without bleeding, further supports the hypothesis of evolving viral strains with enhanced infectivity. This case highlights the urgent need for molecular surveillance, advanced diagnostics, and a One Health approach integrating ecological conservation with zoonotic disease mitigation.

How to cite this article:
P K Ramkumar, Karthika K, Saravanan M, Premalatha N, Prabu P C, Priya R J, Manoharan S G, Jayalakshmi K, Yogeshpriya S, Veeraselvam M. Unusual Canine Rabies Manifesting as Horner’s Syndrome: A Call for Expanded Diagnostic and Reservoir Surveillance. APCRI J. 2025; 27(1): 28-34.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202508