Cranial tumors in aged cattle causing Horner's syndrome and exophthalmos

An 11-year-old Jersey cow and a 9-year-old Holstein cow were examined for complaints of progressive exophthalmos. Additionally, signs of unilateral Horner's syndrome and reduced air movement through the nasal passages on the affected side were observed. In both cases, a poor prognosis was given due to suspected neoplasia. At 2 and 6 months, respectively, after initial examination, these cows were killed and post mortem examinations of the affected tissues were performed. The diagnosis for the Jersey was sclerosing respiratory epithelial adenocarcinoma and for the Holstein was squamous cell carcinoma. The clinical signs, differential diagnosis, and the progression of the disease were discussed.