Entropion is a potentially painful condition that affects a dog’s eyelid. If left untreated, serious damage may be done to the eye’s surface. Here’s what to know about entropion in dogs:

What is Entropion in Dogs?

Entropion is a common eye problem in dogs. Entropion is a condition of the eye in which the eyelids roll inward. When this happens, the eyelashes rub against the cornea, leading to irritation and may lead to damage down the road.

This constant rubbing often causes pain. It can also cause ulcers and perforations to develop on the cornea, which may negatively affect vision. Entropion can occur in both upper and lower eyelids and it may happen in one or both eyes.

What Causes Entropion in Dogs?

Entropion can be genetic, but it’s possible for any dog to develop the condition. Entropion may be more likely in some flat-faced dogs, large, and sporting dog breeds thanks to an abnormal shape of the eyelid.

Even though entropion can be genetic, external trauma can cause this condition, too. Eye injuries, inflammation, and infectious diseases of the eye can be a common cause of entropion especially when eyelid or nerve damage is present. Sometimes, these issues may cause temporary entropion so proper treatment can fix the issue.

Signs of Entropion in Dogs

If your dog is experiencing entropion, you may notice a lot of squinting. Your dog may also try to keep the eye closed and there may be excessive tearing. Entropion can also be the cause of tear stains in dogs. Some dogs may present with an eye discharge (sometimes called goopy eye).

Swelling of the eye area and excessive blinking are also indicators of an irritated eye due to entropion. These are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog and you should schedule an appointment with your vet so they assess your dog’s eyes.

How to Treat Entropion in Dogs

Unfortunately, to correct entropion, surgery is required. During surgery, the extra skin around the eyelids is tightened which corrects the eyelid to the right anatomical position. Then, a minor corrective surgery is often done later. These surgeries help reduce over-correcting the entropion, which can result in an outward-rolling eyelid known as ectropion.

Caring for your dog after surgery is important in aiding this healing process. Be sure to follow your vet’s instructions, administer any medications as directed, and if your dog is tempted to scratch the area, an Elizabethan collar can be helpful. Rest is important for your dog while recovering, too.

If puppies under 12 weeks of age show signs of entropion, sutures may be used to support the excess skin around the eye. No skin is removed like the standard entropion procedure. This is to allow a puppy’s facial features to develop fully, minimizing the risk of complications from removing developing eyelid muscle or tissue.

In some rare cases, there may be complications from entropion surgery. Undercorrection may occur when some eyelid skin is left behind, and continues to rub the cornea. Overcorrection is also possible when too much skin is removed. This prevents the eyelids from closing properly.

How Much Does Entropion Surgery Cost?

Corrective surgery for entropion can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000. If a general veterinarian performs the entropion surgery procedure, it is usually less costly than if a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist or veterinary surgeon were to perform the surgery.

Prognosis for Entropion in Dogs

Dogs with entropion recover well with proper treatment. After surgery, your dog’s eyes will be swollen and swelling will peak around 24 hours after surgery. The entire healing process can take a few weeks to a month. An Elizabethan collar may be necessary in protecting the eye and is useful in caring for your dog’s stitches after surgery.

A topical eye ointment may be prescribed if your dog has any underlying corneal disease. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatories as well. The sutures are typically removed two weeks after surgery. The Elizabethan collar may need to stay on a few days longer after stitches are removed as an extra precaution.

Preventing Entropion in Dogs

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to prevent entropion because it’s an eye abnormality. However, if it’s spotted early, your dog can receive treatment sooner, preventing complications like corneal ulcers or perforations.

Because entropion can sometimes be caused by trauma to the eye, taking measures to protect your dog’s eyes and preventing injury to them can help prevent it in these cases. This is particularly important for brachycephalic or flat-faced dogs that tend to have large, protruding eyes and is one of the things to know about flat-faced dogs before bringing one home.

Regularly checking their eyes to keep the area around them clean and making sure nothing is irritating them is key. You can keep your dog leashed while exploring wooded areas or a lot of plants to avoid damage from branches, twigs, etc. If your dog is prone to getting into things and you’re worried about them damaging their eyes, you can also outfit them with protective goggles.

This is an overview of what to know about entropion in dogs. While this condition can be painful for your dog, proper treatment is available! Your vet can walk you through the whole process and soon your dog will be back to feeling and seeing better!