Symptoms of Entropion
Most dogs with entropion will squint and have a reddened, inflamed eye. Because of the pain involved, dogs will scratch at the eye with a paw, possibly doing further damage. Examination of the lower eyelid will confirm the diagnosis.
Causes of Entropion
* Congenital
* Aging
* Scarring
* Spasm
Entropion has been documented in most dog breeds, although there
are some breeds (particularly purebreds) that are more commonly
affected than others. These include the Akita,
Pug, Chow Chow, Shar Pei, St. Bernard, Cocker Spaniel, Boxer, Springer
Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bull
Mastiff, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Poodle and particularly Bloodhound
. The condition is usually present by six months of age. Entropion can
also occur secondary to pain in the eye, scarring of the eyelid, or
nerve damage. The upper or lower eyelid can be involved, and one or
both eyes may be affected. When entropion occurs in both eyes, this is
known as "bilateral entropion."
Upper lid entropion involves the eyelashes rubbing on the eye, but the lower lid usually has no eyelashes, so hair rubs on the eye. Surgical correction is used in more severe cases. A strip of skin and orbicularis oculi muscle are removed parallel to the affected portion of the lid and then the skin is sutured. Shar Peis, who often are affected as young as two or three weeks old, respond well to temporary eyelid tacking. The entropion is often corrected after three to four weeks, and the sutures are removed.
Treatment of Entropion
Baker House Veterinarians recomend surgical treatment. There are several different techniques, but typically, a small incision is made below the lid, a small portion of skin is removed, and when the two sides of the incision are then sutured, it pulls the border of the lid downward into a normal position. Antibiotic ointments may be applied, if infections are present.