Symptoms of Entropion in Dogs
Dog Breeds
The symptoms of entropion in dogs vary, depending upon the cause of the condition, and can range from mild to very severe.
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Introduction
Entropion is the inversion, or the rolling inward, of all or part of the margin of an eyelid, which causes the hair-bearing part of the eyelid to come into contact with and irritate the conjunctival and corneal surfaces. Entropion can be congenital or acquired. The clinical signs of entropion in dogs vary, depending upon the cause of the condition, and can range from mild to very severe.
Symptoms of Entropion
The most common signs associated with entropion are excessive tearing, squinting and pain. Symptoms that owners may notice include:
- Watery eyes; tearing (excessive lacrimation)
- Ocular discharge; can be thick, gummy and contain blood or pus
- Squinting
- Eye redness
- Eyelid twitching (blepharospasm)
- Visible inrolling of the upper and/or lower eyelids
- Thick, “heavy” skin around the eyes
- Eyelid swelling
- Difficulty opening the eyes, especially in sunlight
- Pain
- Depression (due to pain)
- Lethargy (due to pain)
- Aggression (due to pain)
- Corneal ulceration or erosion
- Corneal rupture
- Rubbing at the eyes; self-trauma (due to pain)
Signs of entropion usually – but not always - occur in both eyes. If the cause is genetic, clinical signs will be apparent early in life and can be seen even in puppies that are only a few weeks old. In fact, novice breeders of affected breeds (especially Chows and Shar-peis) may think that their puppies’ eyes have not opened by 4 or even 5 weeks of age, when in reality the puppies’ eyes opened normally, but severe congenital entropion is present.
Dogs at Increased Risk
There is no gender predisposition to this disorder. However, there is a definite genetic predisposition in certain breeds, although the mode of inheritance is not well understood. Affected breeds include the Chow Chow, Shar-Pei, Norwegian Elkhound, Boxer, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Irish Setter, Elkhound, Bull Terrier, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Bloodhound, Clumber Spaniel, Maltese, certain other sporting and hunting breeds (Pointers, Retrievers, Spaniels), brachycephalic breeds (English Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese), toy breeds (Miniature and Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers) and certain giant breeds (Mastiffs, Bull Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, Great Danes).
Diagnosis and Tests
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