Our dogs can experience various eye problems, such as allergies, infections, and injuries. In some cases, conditions can be genetic. One of these is entropion.
Key Takeaways
Canine entropion is caused by breed-related factors, eye and eyelid injuries, chronic eye irritation, nerve damage, and age.
It’s diagnosed through an ocular examination, eye stain test, Schirmer tear test, and numbing drops.
Surgical correction is the main treatment option for entropion in dogs.
What Causes Entropion in Dogs?
Entropion is often caused by inherited traits, structural issues, or physical changes that happen over time, such as injuries and chronic irritation.
Breed Predisposition
Some dogs are genetically predisposed to entropion due to their unique facial features. This includes key traits such as heavy facial folds, prominent eyes, flat faces, and weak eyelid support. Even at a young age, the risk increases. Common breeds affected include:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Boxer
Basset Hounds
Eye and Eyelid Injuries
Trauma or injury to the eyelid and surrounding area causes scarring. This leads to skin tightening and eyelid distortion. Since scar tissue doesn’t stretch like normal skin, it can potentially pull the eyelid into the eye’s surface. Examples include:
Scratching of the eyes
Fights with other animals
Running through shrubbery
Surgical scars
Foreign objects
Chronic Eye Irritation
Other types of eye problems, such as canine conjunctivitis, eye infections, dry eye, and allergies, can trigger canine entropion. Dogs with these conditions often squint, blink, and paw at their eyes excessively.
This leads to chronic irritation and inflammation, causing tension that leads the eyelid to roll inward.
Nerve Damage
Facial nerve damage can also cause entropion in dogs by disrupting the muscles that control eyelid movement. This results in muscle weakness, sagging eyelids, and abnormal eyelid positioning.
Entropion caused by nerve damage often comes with other neurological symptoms, such as uneven facial movement and eyelid drooping.
Age
Entropion in dogs may also be caused by age, also called involutional entropion. This happens when the loss of fat around the eye and the sagging skin lead to the eyelid rolling inward.
What Are the Symptoms of Canine Entropion?
The signs are often similar to other types of eye problems in dogs. These include:
Excessive Tearing. The more the eyelashes and fur touch the eyes, the more irritated they become. This leads to increased tear production, wetness, and tear stains.
Squinting and Blinking. Excessive squinting and blinking are common signs of a painful eye condition, such as entropion. The constant irritation dogs experience causes them to try to shake it away.
Redness and Inflammation. Chronic irritation can cause the eyes and their surroundings to appear red and swollen.
Eye Discharge or Crusting. There might be some mucus, pus, or crust along the eyelids, which may worsen with secondary infections.
Frequent Pawing and Rubbing. Some dogs may instinctively paw at their faces or rub them against objects to relieve discomfort. This can worsen the issue.
Behavioral Changes. The pain from this eye condition can significantly impact your dog’s behavior, personality, and activity levels.
Canine entropion is a condition in which the eyelids turn inward. This makes the eyelashes and fur directly touch the eyes, irritating them. As this goes on, the persistent contact and friction may lead to severe complications.
Our blog provides a detailed overview of everything you need to know about entropion in dogs. With our help, you’ll be able to learn more about one of the many eye problems our best friends face.
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