Entropion
is a genetically based disease of the
eyelid. It is common in Basset Hounds and
other wrinkled face dogs. Short snouted
dogs like Pugs can also be victims. Dogs
with entropion
have eyelids that "roll in" or
invert. Both the upper and lower eyelid
can be affected, but it
is most common on the lower. Ectropion,
having eyelids that "roll out,"
is the opposite
condition to entropion. It is not unknown
for a dog to have one eyelid with
entropion, and
one with ectropion -- on the same eye!
Entropion can be very serious in some
dogs, even causing corneal ulcers. These
dogs are
also in a lot of pain. Some can suffer
vision loss. Mildly affected animals don't
appear to be in
pain, and in fact, if the dog has a very
wrinkled face, you might not even notice
the condition.
Usually, however it causes tearing of the
eye, blinking, and head rubbing. After
all, the
hairs of the eyes are rubbing across the
surface of the eye, and that doesn't
sound very
comfortable.
Treatment nearly always involves a simple
surgical procedure. The doctor will take
out a
bit of tissue near the affected eyelid;
then stitch it back together in a "mattress
stitch."
Removing the correct amount is
critical. If the vet takes out too much,
the dog
can acquire ectropion. In a few cases,
where the skin is extremely wrinkled,
several surgeries
may be required! The good news is that
your afflicted dog probably doesn't need
to see
a veterinary ophthalmologist. Most
general practitioners are equipped to
deal with this
common surgery. In fact, your dog can
probably have the surgery as an
outpatient! The
dog will need general anesthesia, however.
Ectropion is usually much less severe
than entropion, but it is common in
Bassets and other
breeds with sagging lower eyelids.
Affected dogs have constant
conjunctivitis. Since the Basset
breed standard specifies that the red
part of the eye (the haw) should be
prominent, some
ectropion is almost unavoidable in show
dogs. I personally would like to see our
standard
changed to eliminate this element -- or
at least not make it a requirement. I
feel that the
constant exposure of the haw to
environmental dirt is not healthy. (I don't
care for the look
of it, either, but that's another matter.)
At any rate, serious cases must be
correctly surgically -- this time by a
veterinary
ophthalmologist. The surgery is much less
common than that for ectropion, and
unless your
vet has had experience with it, go see a
specialist.
Any dog who has had surgery for either
entropion or ectropion is disqualified
from showing
in AKC or UKC shows. These are inherited
conditions which should not be passed on.
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