Entropion

It is an unusual condition when the eyelids roll inside. This sudden change in the behavior of the eyelid(s) will superficially cause the hair follicles of the eyelid to scrape against the outer part of the eyeball resulting in minor or severe pain. It can cause further damage in the form of corneal ulcers or sudden corneal erosions. The accidental damage to the outer part of the eyeball can also develop corneal scarring and interfere with the animal’s vision.

Most of the dogs will frequently squint, hold the eye tightly and tear excessively, clinically called as epiphora. An interesting fact is that many flat faced dogs with their cornered nose will dispose of no signs of discomfort commonly associated with the condition.

Signs

1. The pet can have lacrimation
2. Occasional ocular discharge
3. These discharges are thick and gummy with blood or pus
4. Frequent squinting
5. Redness of the eyes
6. Frequent blepharospasm
7. Visible inward rolling of the upper and lower eyelids
8. The thick and heavy skin around the eyes
9. Swelling of the eyes
10. Difficulty in opening the eyes, especially during the mornings
11. Pain and frequent episodes of canine depression
12. Laziness due to pain
13. Being aggressive due to pain
14. Corneal erosion or ulceration
15. Rupture of the cornea

Any specific breeds predisposed to the condition?

This condition is mostly hereditary. The exact genetic reasons are unknown, and many breeds are often seen suffering from the disease. These races are as follows:

1. Pug
2. Shih Tzu
3. Japanese Chin
4. English toy spaniel
5. Siberian husky
6. Staffordshire bull terrier
7. Dalmatian
8. Akita
9. Yorkshire terrier
10. Old English sheepdog
11. Rottweiler
12. American Staffordshire terrier
13. Vizsla
14. Chesapeake Bay retriever
15. Bulldog
16. Pekingese
17. Flat-coated retriever
18. Bernese Mountain dog
19. Pomeranian
20. Irish setter
21. Gordon setter
22. Golden retriever
23. English springer spaniel
24. Great Dane
25. Newfoundland
26. Mastiff
27. English and American cocker spaniel
28. Labrador retriever
29. Saint Bernard
30. Weimaraner
31. The Great Pyrenees
32. Shar-pei
33. Basset hound
34. Toy and miniature poodle
35. Bloodhounds
36. Clumber spaniel

Treatment

The most effective and viable option is surgical intervention. The surgeon will remove a section of skin from the affected eyelid. It will be done to reverse the eye’s inward rolling. In some other cases, an initial major surgical correction will be done, and a second surgery will follow soon which will be a minor corrective surgery afterward.

Vets often perform these two surgeries to decrease the risk of over-correcting the entropion. It can, later on, result in an outward-rolling eyelid clinically called as Ectropion. Most dogs won't get surgical intervention until they step into their adulthood.

Prognosis

The prognosis for the surgical intervention is quite good. Most dogs enjoy a pain-free healthy life, but they do need few minor or major surgeries in the initial days of the condition. If corneal scarring occurs again, there can be irreversible permanent visual deficits for the dog. The veterinarian will discuss treatment and diagnostic plan to help the owner handle and treat this condition.