Entropion is an eyelid disease that can affect dogs, cats and people. This is a potentially painful condition that, if left untreated, can cause serious damage to the surface of the eye. Fortunately, there are treatment options for entropion in dogs.
What is Entropion?
Entropion in dogs is an eye disease that causes the eyelids to roll inward. This causes the eyelashes and other hairs around the eyes to rub against the cornea (the surface of the eyeball), causing irritation. Entropion can affect both the upper and lower eyelids and can occur in one or both eyes.
Symptoms of Entropion in Dogs
Most cases of entropion typically occur in dogs under one year of age, but the condition can also occur in dogs of any age. Eye diseases can progress quickly without treatment. If your dog has eye abnormalities, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Squint
A dog squints to keep the hair away from the cornea.
Excessive tearing
The tearing is likely a watery discharge (rather than tears) that drains from the dog’s eyes due to the irritation. Drainage can cause the fur around the dog’s eyes to become matted.
Eye discharge
Many larger breeds have discharge from the outer corners of the eyes, indicating the possibility of entropion. However, a discharge can also indicate another eye problem besides entropion. The discharge may be thick and greenish.
swelling around the eye
Swollen eyes indicate the possibility of corneal damage from entropion.
Rubs his eyes
A dog with entropion feels unwell and tries to rub his eyes for relief. Activity around the eye can cause swelling.
Eye redness/conjunctivitis
The hair rubbing against the cornea can develop into non-infectious conjunctivitis.
Excessive blinking
A dog with entropion may develop a habit of excessive blinking, also called blepharospasms. This is an involuntary reaction to an irritated or painful eye.
corneal ulcers
Rubbing hairs on the eye can cause itching or pain. It also causes irritation that can lead to corneal ulcers. Once a corneal ulcer is present, it will continue to worsen if the entropion is left untreated. This can lead to scarring of the cornea, which can affect vision.1 It can also develop into a more serious corneal ulcer, which can cause permanent damage to the eye. The cornea may become cloudy and have a white or blue cast.
What causes entropion in dogs?
Entropion is believed to be genetic. Any dog can develop entropion, but certain short-nosed, giant, and sporting dog breeds may be more predisposed. In short-nosed breeds (e.g. bulldogs), the eye bands are more tense, which can cause the eyelids to roll inward. Conversely, the eye bands in giant and sporting dog breeds may be excessively loose, causing the eyelids to roll inward. However, in other breeds, the shape of the skull, facial wrinkles, and prominent eyes may play a role in entropion.
The following breeds are more prone to developing this condition:2
Entropion can also occur secondary to other eye diseases, trauma, or neurological disorders. In some cases, another eye disease may cause temporary entropion.1 If this is the case, treating the primary eye disease can also effectively treat the entropion.
How do veterinarians diagnose entropion in dogs?
The sooner your vet diagnoses entropion, the less damage to the cornea. Entropion can typically be diagnosed with an eye exam.
Your veterinarian will then need to determine whether your dog has corneal damage, and if so, your pet will need additional treatment. To determine this, your veterinarian will perform a fluorescein stain test on the dog’s eye to look for corneal damage:
A sterile strip containing a diluent (e.g. saline) and a safe fluorescent dye is inserted into the dog’s eye. Your veterinarian will ensure that the strip does not come into direct contact with the cornea.
Excess stains are flushed out of the dog’s eye.
A special lamp is used to check whether the spot has settled on the cornea.
The inclusion of spots indicates the presence of an ulcer or abrasion.
How to treat entropion
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Your veterinarian will determine the severity of the entropion and whether or not the cornea is damaged.
Medication
A topical antibiotic ointment may be recommended to prevent infection and lubricate the eyes. The condition may or may not progress, so it is important to take medication as prescribed, see your veterinarian for recommended follow-up visits, and contact them at the first sign of any change in the eyes.
Seams
In puppies with entropion, the eyelids may be temporarily secured with stitches that can be removed as the puppy grows.1 In some dogs, the heads may grow and change shape enough for the entropion to become milder or resolve completely.
surgery
If entropion is severe enough to cause corneal damage, surgery may be necessary.1Adult dogs with entropion may need surgery to permanently reshape the eyelids so that they no longer roll inward. This procedure is called blepharoplasty. It is a form of plastic surgery that involves removing excess eyelid tissue and suturing the eyelid in a position more favorable for proper eyelid function.2 Blepharoplasty can be performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist or an experienced veterinarian.
Prognosis for dogs with entropion
After surgery, your veterinarian will send your dog home with an e-collar to prevent eye rubbing or scratching. Topical and/or oral medications may also be needed to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection.
Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations regarding treatment and follow-up visits. Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s eyes regularly to monitor your pet’s recovery and ensure that the eyes are healthy.
How to prevent entropion
Although entropion can be difficult to prevent, it can be detected early. Your veterinarian may notice early signs of entropion during a routine health exam. Therefore, it is important that you take your dog to the vet for a checkup once or twice a year.