What Is Entropion in Dogs?
Entropion in dogs refers to a condition where the eyelid turns inward, causing the dog’s eyelashes to irritate the cornea, which is the clear covering over the iris. It stands as the most prevalent eyelid abnormality observed in dogs, potentially impacting either the lower, upper, or both eyelids. Dogs may experience entropion either as a primary genetic disorder present at birth or as a secondary condition occurring at any stage of their lives.
Symptoms
Entropion in dogs is primarily characterized by the presence of an inverted eyelid, which turns inward and leads to eye irritation. Other accompanying symptoms encompass:
- Abundant tear production and subsequent staining
- Discharge from the eye, often in the form of pus or mucus
- Redness in the eye, known as conjunctival hyperemia
- Tendency to keep the affected eye closed
Causes
The root cause of entropion in dogs lies in an eyelid that possesses an abnormal shape concerning the eyeball. Various factors contribute to the development of entropion in dogs, including:
- Length of the eyelid
- Skull shape
- Configuration of the bone cavity housing the eyeball
- Gender
- Presence of extensive skin folds and wrinkles around the eyes
Entropion in dogs can manifest as primary, occurring at birth, or secondary, arising due to external factors.
Primary Entropion in Purebred Dogs
Primary entropion stands as the prevailing eyelid disorder among purebred dogs. While believed to stem from a hereditary anomaly, its genetic underpinnings remain inadequately understood. Among the most susceptible breeds to entropion are:
- Boxer
- Bloodhound
- Bull Mastiff
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Chow Chow
- Cocker Spaniel
- Doberman Pinscher
- English Bulldog
- Golden Retriever
- Great Dane
- Irish Setter
- Labrador Retriever
- Poodle
- Pug
- Shar Pei
- Springer Spaniel
- Rottweiler
- Saint Bernard
Causes of Secondary Entropion in Dogs
Secondary entropion in dogs can arise from various factors, including:
- Trauma or inflammation resulting from eye injuries
- Scarring of the eyelid or nerve damage
- Infectious diseases affecting the eye
- Systemic dermatological conditions like generalized pyoderma, demodectic mange, or dermatophytosis (ringworm)
Diagnosis
Vets conduct an ophthalmologic assessment of your dog’s eyes and eyelids to diagnose entropion. During the evaluation, your dog remains awake and not sedated to enable the vet to observe the natural shape of your dog’s eyes.
Treatment
Treating entropion in dogs necessitates surgery, which involves the removal of excess skin surrounding the eyelids to readjust them to a normal anatomical position. In puppies under 12 weeks old, eyelid-tacking procedures are typically preferred over standard surgery.
During eyelid tacking, excess skin around the eye isn’t removed as in traditional entropion surgery. Instead, tension sutures are used to temporarily turn the surplus skin outward. This approach ensures that a puppy’s facial features can develop fully without risking malformations from surgical removal of developing eyelid muscle or tissue.
Complications from entropion surgery may include under correction, where insufficient eyelid skin is removed, and overcorrection, where excessive removal prevents normal eyelid closure. However, such complications are rare, and surgical correction remains the optimal treatment for entropion. The prognosis post-surgery is excellent, as it restores comfort and vision to affected animals.
Living and Management
The recovery process following entropion surgery in dogs is generally swift. Post-surgery, your dog’s eyes may experience swelling, peaking around 24 hours after the procedure and subsiding within 2-4 weeks. It’s essential for your dog to wear an Elizabethan collar after surgery to safeguard the sutures around their eyes.
Depending on any underlying corneal disease, your vet may prescribe topical eye medications along with oral antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and analgesics.
Suture removal typically occurs 14 days after surgery during a follow-up visit to the vet. The Elizabethan collar can usually be removed a few days thereafter. It’s crucial to prevent your dog from injuring the incision site, which may occur if the Elizabethan collar is removed prematurely or if your dog manages to remove it.
Entropion in Dogs (Eyelid Growing Inward) FAQs
Can dogs outgrow entropion?
No, dogs cannot outgrow entropion. Without corrective surgery, the condition can lead to further eye diseases such as corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, and chronic eye discharge. Moreover, entropion may worsen over time, especially in breeds that develop more skin folds around their face as they age.
Is entropion in dogs painful?
Yes, entropion is painful for dogs. It causes discomfort due to the constant irritation of the cornea, resulting in eye damage and potential vision loss.
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