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                    Canine Entropion or Ectropion                

                                              Eyelids that roll inwards or outwards in Dogs                                    

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Entropion and ectropion are conditions that involve the eyelids.  With an entropion the eyelids roll inward and rub against the cornea (the clear surface)of the eye, usually the dog will squint and tear excessively.  Ectropion is the opposite of entropion, the eyelids droop exposing the cornea.   These conditions frequently causes other problems within the eye such as conjuctivitis.  If left untreated it can cause blindness.  Surgery is not always, unfortunately, successful. Therefore, if there's no other way, use drops, and It is advisable to separate animals with ectropion from the litter.  These conditions can cause a great deal of discomfort for the dog.  It tends to be common in many breeds of dogs, both purebred and mixed breeds, and is one of the leading eye problems that puppies and dogs experience. Although it is most commonly noted on the lower eyelid it can also be present on the upper eyelid as well.  In puppies the condition is usually noted very shortly after the puppy opens his or her eyes. 

There are several types of entropion:

Genetic Entropion: genetic condition found in certain breeds.

Conformational Entropion (also called anatomic entropion): occurs in dog breeds that have faces with thicker skin or eyes that are deeply set (eg; St. Bernards, Shar peis).

Geriatric Entropion: found in older adult dogs due to a weakening of the muscle (atrophy) or a loss tissue in the eye.

Medial Entropion involving the inside corner of the eyes

Treatment involves the realignment of the eyelids into a normal position. This can be accomplished through canine entropion surgery where a small portion of skin is removed to tighten the eyelid.  Tempory eyelid tacking may be used in very young dogs.  Surgery correction is often delayed untill the dog has a mature head conformation at 4 -6 months of age.  If the entropion is left uncorrected, the eyelid hairs will continue to rub on the surface of the eye, causing pain, and corneal ulcers will form. Other problems include eye pain, spasms where your dog appears to wink, conjunctivitis,and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). Your dogs eyesight can be harmed if the condition causes scarring which impairs eyesight.

Initially, after surgery, the eyelids will look “over-corrected” (or “rolled-out”) due to swelling. This is normal and will subside over the next week or so. You may notice some bloody +/or blood tinged discharge from the eye for a few days. This can be gently cleaned away with a Kleenex. The stitches in the eyelids are dissolvable and will fall out on their own (this can take up to a month).  It is important that your dog wears the head collar AT ALL TIMES for at least a week to prevent him/her from rubbing at the eyes and potentially doing damage (which may require more surgery to correct!)

It is possible that once your dog is older they will need to undergo corrective surgery again is the growing process causes the condition to reappear.

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                                                  Entropion

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What is entropion?

Entropion is the inward rolling of the eyelid, most commonly the lower lid. This irritates the surface of the eye (the cornea) and may ultimately cause visual impairment.

Entropion is a common hereditary disorder in dogs. Selection for a particular conformation, of exaggerated facial features with prominent eyes and/or heavy facial folds, has created or worsened this problem in many breeds.

How is entropion inherited?

It is likely that ectropion is influenced by several genes (polygenic inheritance) that affect the skin and other structures that make up the eyelids, the way the skin covers the face and head, and the conformation of the skull.

What breeds are affected by entropion?

This problem occurs in many breeds. It is particularly severe in the mastiff, bullmastiff, Shar pei, and chow chow.

Entropion is seen in the Akita, American Staffordshire terrier, Pekingese, bulldog, pomeranian, pug, Japanese chin, Shih tzu, Yorkshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, dalmatian, old English sheepdog, rottweiler, Siberian husky, vizsla, weimaraner, toy and miniature poodle. It is also seen in hounds ( basset hound, bloodhound), spaniels ( Clumber spaniel, English and American cocker spaniel, English springer spaniel, English toy spaniel, Tibetan spaniel), and sporting breeds (Chesapeake Bay retriever, flat-coated retriever, golden retriever, Gordon setter, Irish setter, Labrador retriever).

Entropion is common in giant breeds such as the Great Dane, Bernese mountain dog, mastiff, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Pyrenees. In these breeds the central lower lid is often ectropic while the lid at the corners of the eye is entropic.

For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.

What does entropion mean to your dog & you?

The problem is usually evident before a year of age. Discomfort from entropion will cause increased tearing and squinting. Your dog may be sensitive to light and may rub at its eyes. Chronic irritation by the turned-in eyelid may cause corneal ulceration and scarring which is painful and, if not corrected, can impair vision.

Dogs who have had surgical correction for a defect such as entropion may not be exhibited in the show ring.

How is entropion diagnosed?

The inrolling of the eyelid is readily apparent. Generally both eyes are affected. Depending on the degree of corneal irritation and the duration, there will be other signs such as those mentioned above. Your veterinarian will evaluate the degree of entropion and use flourescein dye to determine if there is any corneal ulceration.

FOR THE VETERINARIAN:  The use of topical ophthalmic anaesthetic to anaesthetize the cornea and conjunctiva will enable eliminatation of the spastic component of the entropion in order to better evaluate the anatomic component. This is important before surgery is performed.

How is entropion treated?

Entropion is corrected surgically. If possible it is best to delay surgery until the dog is an adult since the involved facial structures are still growing and changing.

More than 1 operation may be required. It is better to correct the entropion conservatively and repeat the operation later if necessary, than to overcorrect causing ectropion. In breeds such as the chow chow that have particularly severe entropion related to heavy facial folds, several surgeries may be required.

Breeding advice

Entropion is one of the eye conditions that is a result of selection by breeders and a demand by the public for such features as excessively prominent eyes and heavy facial folds. A responsible breeding programme will choose animals for breeding with a more normal head conformation, so as to select away from these exaggerated facial features and the problems associated with them.

The Vizsla Club of America has recognized entropion as an unacceptable problem in their breed, and advises breeders not to breed affected animals. Such leadership by breed clubs is important in discouraging this and other undesirable traits.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.


Slatter, D. 1993. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. p. 856-889. W.B. Saunders Co. ,Toronto.

Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders Database. All rights reserved.

Permission to reprint is granted  by
Alice Crook, DVM Coordinator, Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre
Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island
http://www.upei.ca/cidd

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Ectropian

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What is ectropion?
Ectropion is a defect of conformation in which there is a sagging or rolling-out (eversion) of the eyelids. This results in abnormal exposure of the eye, which often leads to irritation.

How is ectropion inherited?
It is likely that ectropion is influenced by several genes (polygenic inheritance) that affect the skin and other structures that make up the eyelids, and that affect the way the skin covers the face and head.

What breeds are affected by ectropion?
Ectropion is most commonly seen in dogs with exaggerated facial features where it is often a breed characteristic. It is found in the basset hound, bloodhound, boxer, bulldog, bull terrier, Clumber spaniel, English and American cocker spaniel, Gordon setter, Labrador retriever, springer spaniel, and Shih tzu.

Ectropion is also common in giant breeds such as the Great Dane, mastiff, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Pyrenees  In these breeds the central lower lid is often ectropic while the lid at the corners of the eye is entropic.

For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.

What does ectropion mean to your dog & you?
Because of increased exposure of the eye, dogs with ectropion are prone to develop allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis - inflammation of the thin membrane which covers the periphery of the surface of the eye and lines the eyelids. Affected dogs may develop keratoconjunctivitis sicca because of reduced efficiency at wetting and cleaning the cornea.

Dogs who have had surgical correction for a defect such as ectropion are prohibited from exhibition in the show ring.

How is ectropion diagnosed?
 In addition to the sagging of the eyelids, dogs with ectropion commonly have a mucopurulent discharge in the eye, reddening of the exposed conjunctiva, and decreased tear production. To check the latter, your veterinarian will do a Schirmer tear test.

How is ectropion treated?
With mild entropion, no treatment may be necessary. If secondary problems such as conjunctivitis develop, these are treated as required.
More severe ectropion can lead to chronic problems associated with eye irritation. In these cases, surgery is performed to remove a small wedge of tissue from the margin of the eyelid.

Breeding advice
 Ectropion is one of the eye conditions that is a result of selection by breeders and a demand by the public for such features as excessively prominent eyes and heavy facial folds. A responsible breeding programme will choose animals for breeding with a more normal head conformation, so as to select away from these exaggerated facial features and the problems associated with them.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

    Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders Database. All rights reserved.
  
Permission to reprint is granted  by
Alice Crook, DVM Coordinator, Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre
Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island
http://www.upei.ca/cidd



 Entropion in Dogs


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