Introduction
Entropion occurs when the edges of a dog’s eyelids roll inward. This leads to the hairs on the eyelid rubbing against the cornea, causing the dog constant irritation and eye trauma. Certain purebred dogs are susceptible to the disease. In these dogs, entropion usually develops shortly after birth. The disease can also strike other dogs later in life in conjunction with other eye diseases.
Treating Entropion in Dogs
Dog owners can attempt to alleviate the symptoms of entropion by applying eye drops and other topical remedies. However, the only effective treatment for entropion is surgery.
One surgical option is called tacking. This method is usually reserved for puppies and requires inserting sutures or staples into the eyelids to pull them outward. Tacking can also help heal the corneal ulcers associated with entropion.
The other option involves the removal of a small piece of the eyelid and suturing the skin and other tissue to shorten the lid. The difficulty with this surgery is determining how much to remove. It’s usually better to remove too little and have to perform the surgery twice, rather than run the risk of removing too much and having the eyelids turn outward, a condition known as ectopion.
After surgery, a collar is provided to keep the dog from pawing at the sutures, and antibiotics may be ordered to treat abrasions. Subsequent veterinary exams are necessary to guard against a recurrence of this disease.