Introduction
The most common symptom of ectropion in dogs is a slight droopy appearance of the eyelid (or eyelids), and it usually occurs in the center of lower the eyelid. Additional symptoms include watery eyes, swollen or red conjunctiva of the eye, and increased bacterial infections in the eye.
Symptoms of Ectropion in Dogs
Symptoms of ectropion may appear very mild (a slight drooping of the eye), moderate (drooping with tearing and some irritation), or severe. Severe symptoms can lead to excessive tearing which causes dark tracks leading down the dogs face and squinting and rubbing of the eyes. Since severe cases of ectropion cause the sensitive membranes of the eye to be exposed to a large degree, bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis may repeatedly develop in the eye. A condition known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye, may also occur because the tears cannot stay in the eye long enough to moisten it.
Mild to moderate symptoms of ectropion may appear to improve at times only to reappear at a later date especially during the spring and summer months. Severe cases of ectropion cause symptoms which are continually present, and they will not improve on their own without treatment.
When symptoms of ectropion in dogs occur depends on the cause of the ectropion. In inherited conditions, the symptoms may appear in dogs less than one year of age. If the ectropion is caused by hypothyroidism, extreme weight loss, injury to the eye, or extreme fatigue, then the symptoms will generally develop as the cause of the ectropion occurs and this can be at any age.