"Entropion" is the medical term for an eye condition in which the eyelids turn inward toward the eyeball instead of outward
as they should. Entropion is a common problem in many breeds of dogs and appears in other forms of livestock such as
sheep. Even humans can have entropion!
When eyelids turn inward, they allow the dog's eyelashes and fur to rub against the eye causing irritation, excessive
tearing and pain. Left untreated, this irritation can cause infections and painful ulcers on the surface of the eye that lead
to blindness.
The most common causes of entropion are:
Heredity .... the tendency toward entropion can be an inherited defect. If one or both parents of the dog have the condition,
they are likely to pass it on to their offspring. Therefore, veterinarians suggest that dogs with entropion should not be
used for breeding.
Irritation from dust, allergies, injury, etc. .... temporary minor eye irritations can cause some dogs to squint and rub their
eyes which creates a vicious cycle - the more they squint and rub, the more it hurts and the more they squint and rub!
Eventually, this can cause the muscles sorrounding the eyelid to spasm and force the eyelid to turn inward, creating an
entropion condition. In some cases, the dog's eyelashes may be growing in the wrong direction and are irritating the
eyeball as well.
Relief for entropion:
Entropion that is caused by a temporary eye irritation can sometimes be relieved by using appropriate medication
prescribed by your veterinarian. In many cases, though, entropion needs to be corrected surgically.
Surgery to correct entropion is a fairly straightforward procedure that most veterinarians are able to perform. It may help to
think of it as an "eyelid tuck" - depending on which eyelid is involved (upper or lower, sometimes both), a small amount of
skin is removed and the eyelid sewn into its proper outward-turning position. In cases where muscle spasm is believed
to be the culprit, the veterinarian may choose to also alter the muscles under the eyelids to prevent spasms from
recurring.
Most veterinarians shave the area around the eye before surgery. Some dogs' eyelids swell after surgery but you
shouldn't be alarmed - it may make your dog look awful but the swelling will disappear in a couple of days. It's important
that the dog not be allowed to rub his eyes before the stitches are removed (10-14 days) so your veterinarian will probably
send your dog home with an "elizabethan collar", a large soft plastic cone that attaches to your dog's regular collar and is
designed to prevent him from scratching his face. Most dogs don't like wearing the cone at first but quickly become
accustomed to it.
The cost of entropion surgery seems to vary greatly from doctor to doctor. You may need to get estimates from several
vets in your area to find a reasonable price for your budget. Keep in mind, though, that cheapest is not necessarily best!
Baby puppies with entropion occasionally outgrow the condition so some veterinarians prefer to delay surgery until the
puppy reaches adolescence. You should not neglect the puppy's eyes, though, while hoping the problem will go away!
The veterinarian should prescribe daily eye drops or ointment to relieve irritation during this time to keep them from
becoming worse. In severe cases, "eye tacking" may be recommended to provide temporary relief while the puppy
matures enough for surgery. Eye tacking involves temporary sutures that hold the eyelid in its proper position for up to
two weeks. Some veterinarians are willing to perform entropion correction surgery on puppies as young as eight weeks
so discuss the situation with your doctor to determine what options may be best for your dog. For a few dogs, one
surgical correction is not enough and they may need a second surgery later in their lives.
Entropion can be an inherited condition but can also be acquired as a result of temporary eye irritation. (see the above
paragraphs on causes of entropion) Because the breeder has no control over what happens to your puppy once you take
it home, all she can really do to protect your puppy from entropion is to use entropion-free breeding stock and to have your
puppy examined by a veterinarian before purchase to ensure that it is entropion-free at the time of sale.
as they should. Entropion is a common problem in many breeds of dogs and appears in other forms of livestock such as
sheep. Even humans can have entropion!
When eyelids turn inward, they allow the dog's eyelashes and fur to rub against the eye causing irritation, excessive
tearing and pain. Left untreated, this irritation can cause infections and painful ulcers on the surface of the eye that lead
to blindness.
The most common causes of entropion are:
Heredity .... the tendency toward entropion can be an inherited defect. If one or both parents of the dog have the condition,
they are likely to pass it on to their offspring. Therefore, veterinarians suggest that dogs with entropion should not be
used for breeding.
Irritation from dust, allergies, injury, etc. .... temporary minor eye irritations can cause some dogs to squint and rub their
eyes which creates a vicious cycle - the more they squint and rub, the more it hurts and the more they squint and rub!
Eventually, this can cause the muscles sorrounding the eyelid to spasm and force the eyelid to turn inward, creating an
entropion condition. In some cases, the dog's eyelashes may be growing in the wrong direction and are irritating the
eyeball as well.
Relief for entropion:
Entropion that is caused by a temporary eye irritation can sometimes be relieved by using appropriate medication
prescribed by your veterinarian. In many cases, though, entropion needs to be corrected surgically.
Surgery to correct entropion is a fairly straightforward procedure that most veterinarians are able to perform. It may help to
think of it as an "eyelid tuck" - depending on which eyelid is involved (upper or lower, sometimes both), a small amount of
skin is removed and the eyelid sewn into its proper outward-turning position. In cases where muscle spasm is believed
to be the culprit, the veterinarian may choose to also alter the muscles under the eyelids to prevent spasms from
recurring.
Most veterinarians shave the area around the eye before surgery. Some dogs' eyelids swell after surgery but you
shouldn't be alarmed - it may make your dog look awful but the swelling will disappear in a couple of days. It's important
that the dog not be allowed to rub his eyes before the stitches are removed (10-14 days) so your veterinarian will probably
send your dog home with an "elizabethan collar", a large soft plastic cone that attaches to your dog's regular collar and is
designed to prevent him from scratching his face. Most dogs don't like wearing the cone at first but quickly become
accustomed to it.
The cost of entropion surgery seems to vary greatly from doctor to doctor. You may need to get estimates from several
vets in your area to find a reasonable price for your budget. Keep in mind, though, that cheapest is not necessarily best!
Baby puppies with entropion occasionally outgrow the condition so some veterinarians prefer to delay surgery until the
puppy reaches adolescence. You should not neglect the puppy's eyes, though, while hoping the problem will go away!
The veterinarian should prescribe daily eye drops or ointment to relieve irritation during this time to keep them from
becoming worse. In severe cases, "eye tacking" may be recommended to provide temporary relief while the puppy
matures enough for surgery. Eye tacking involves temporary sutures that hold the eyelid in its proper position for up to
two weeks. Some veterinarians are willing to perform entropion correction surgery on puppies as young as eight weeks
so discuss the situation with your doctor to determine what options may be best for your dog. For a few dogs, one
surgical correction is not enough and they may need a second surgery later in their lives.
Entropion can be an inherited condition but can also be acquired as a result of temporary eye irritation. (see the above
paragraphs on causes of entropion) Because the breeder has no control over what happens to your puppy once you take
it home, all she can really do to protect your puppy from entropion is to use entropion-free breeding stock and to have your
puppy examined by a veterinarian before purchase to ensure that it is entropion-free at the time of sale.
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