Entropion in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Those soulful puppy-dog eyes can melt your heart — but they can also reveal when something’s wrong. If your dog is squinting, tearing up or rubbing at their eyes, it could be more than just irritation. These may be early signs of entropion, a common eyelid condition that can cause pain and even threaten your pup’s vision. Knowing what to look for and acting quickly can help protect your dog’s eyes and keep them comfortable for years to come.

What Is Entropion in Dogs?

Entropion is a condition that causes a dog’s eyelid to roll inward toward the eye, allowing their eyelashes and/or fur to rub against the eye’s surface. This leads to irritation, pain and, in some cases, long-term corneal damage.

Entropion can affect one or both eyes and may involve the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. The most common complication of untreated entropion is chronic corneal scarring that leads to blindness over a long period of time.

Corneal ulcers can also occur and may lead to infection, blindness or eye loss. Entropion can significantly affect a dog’s quality of life, but effective treatments can resolve the root problem.

Types

There are several different types of entropion and understanding which type your dog has can help guide treatment. Types of entropion include:

• Acquired entropion. Although uncommon, entropion can develop later in life secondary to an injury, inflammation or muscle or fat loss around the eyes.
• Congenital entropion. Most dogs with entropion are born with the condition, which may appear, worsen or occasionally improve as they grow.
• Spastic entropion. This temporary condition, triggered by pain, occurs when the muscles around the eye spasm, forcing the lid to roll inward.

Your veterinarian will determine which type of entropion your dog has and recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause and your dog’s individual needs.

Common Causes of Entropion in Dogs

Most cases of entropion are genetic. The condition frequently occurs in specific purebred dog breeds. Many of the most commonly affected breeds have loose skin or wrinkles on their face.

While any dog can develop entropion during puppyhood, the most commonly affected breeds include:¹

• Bulldogs
• Chinese shar-peis
• Chow chows
• Pugs
• Retrievers
• Rottweilers
• Saint Bernards

In older dogs, entropion may be caused by muscle wasting or fat loss, leading to the eyes sinking and the eyelids rolling inward. Dogs may also develop a phthisical (shrunken) eye due to an injury or eye disease, such as glaucoma, which can lead to a similar eyelid issue.

Spastic entropion is usually temporary and caused by extreme eye discomfort. As a dog squints, the eye muscles can spasm, causing the eyelids to roll inward, worsening the pain. Spastic entropion can develop on top of “regular” entropion, making the diagnosis challenging. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to address entropion early to prevent long-term discomfort or damage to the eye.

Symptoms of Entropion in Dogs

Entropion symptoms usually appear in puppies and may seem to wax and wane. In mild cases, symptoms may be vague. If your dog has entropion, you may notice:

• A hazy appearance to the eye
• Frequent watery discharge
• Recurrent corneal ulcers
• Redness or swelling around the eyes
• Rubbing or pawing at the eyes
• Squinting or blinking more than usual

Diagnosing Entropion in Dogs

Entropion diagnosis is usually straightforward. Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam, paying special attention to your dog’s eyes and eyelids to determine whether and to what extent they’re rolling inward. Your veterinarian may also apply fluorescein stain to your dog’s eyes to check for corneal ulcers.

Because some puppies outgrow mild cases of entropion as their facial structure develops, your vet may recommend monitoring a young dog. However, if the condition is causing pain or eye damage, or if your dog is older and unlikely to improve without help, they will likely recommend treatment.

How to Treat Entropion in Dogs

Ultimately, the best treatment for entropion in dogs is surgery. However, dogs should be close to their expected adult size before having surgery. Because affected dogs may have to wait for surgical correction, there are a variety of other, more temporary, treatments for entropion.

The right treatment for entropion depends on your dog’s age and breed and the severity of their condition. Most cases can be managed successfully and many dogs experience relief shortly after treatment.

Non-surgical treatments

Veterinarians can prescribe a variety of treatments designed to keep dogs with entropion more comfortable while they wait for surgery. Temporary treatments could include:

• Antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medications. Eye medications may be prescribed to manage secondary infections or inflammation.
• Eyelid filler injections. Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to plump up the eyelid and push the rolling portion away from the eye surface.
• Lubricating ointments. Eye lubricants can create a barrier between the eye surface and the irritant (i.e., the eyelashes or fur).
• Temporary eyelid tacking. A procedure can be performed to hold the eyelid in an unrolled, comfortable position as the dog grows.

Surgical treatment

For most cases of entropion, surgery is the best option. A veterinary ophthalmologist, surgeon or general practitioner will remove a small section of skin near the eyelid to correct the inward rolling and then suture the incision closed. Complex cases might require a more sophisticated technique, but the same principles apply.

Surgical correction has a 90% to 95% success rate when performed by a skilled practitioner.¹ Rarely, a second procedure is required to achieve lasting results or later in life if aging changes the pet’s facial structure.

Recovery From Entropion Surgery

Most dogs recover quickly from entropion surgery. The procedure requires general anesthesia but takes only a short time. Your vet may recommend blood work beforehand to ensure your pup is healthy enough to undergo surgery.

After surgery, your dog will wear an e-collar (cone collar) and need eye drops and oral medications for a week or two. During this time, your vet may recommend restricting your pup’s activity level to only leash walks to prevent accidental damage to their healing incisions.

About two weeks after surgery, your veterinarian will check the eyelid alignment and ensure the incisions have healed. They may use sutures that dissolve on their own, or they may need to remove non-dissolvable sutures at the follow-up visit.

Dogs with complex cases may need to see a veterinary ophthalmologist periodically for follow-up care. However, most dogs who have surgery don’t require any further treatment or monitoring.

How Much Does It Cost to Treat Entropion in Dogs?

The cost to treat entropion in dogs varies widely depending on the dog’s breed, when symptoms first appear, the severity of the issue, where you live and whether you see a general practice veterinarian or a specialist. However, treatment may cost several thousand dollars if you see a specialist or live in an urban area.

You will also pay more if your dog needs more than one procedure (e.g., tacking followed by surgery) and repeated eye exams and tests before or after surgery.

The national average costs* of eye-related tests and treatments your dog may need are as follows:²

Preventing Entropion in Dogs

Many cases of entropion are genetic and occur in wrinkly breeds, such as Chinese shar-peis, chow chows and bulldogs. To avoid adopting a puppy with entropion, choose a breeder with strict screening standards who aims to produce puppies with healthy eyes.

If you notice that your dog is developing entropion, there’s not much you can do to stop it. However, you can seek treatment quickly to help ensure their eyes stay healthy. Schedule a visit with your vet as soon as you notice any issues.

Managing Entropion in Dogs

Entropion can cause discomfort in affected dogs and in severe cases, it can lead to corneal scarring and vision loss. Early intervention with appropriate treatment and surgery usually solves the problem permanently. Schedule a veterinary visit right away if your puppy or adult dog shows signs of eye discomfort, so you can protect their vision and restore long-term eye comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions About Entropion in Dogs

Check out answers to frequently asked questions from pet owners about entropion in dogs.

Financing Entropion Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

Your dog is your best friend and you want to make sure they get the very best. That’s why the CareCredit credit card is here to help you manage the costs of diagnostics and treatment for conditions like entropion.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian near you that accepts CareCredit. CareCredit is there for you and your pet every step of the way; continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to pet care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Angela Beal, D.V.M., has more than 20 years of experience as a veterinarian. Leveraging her background in private practice and academia, she uses her passion for writing to convey information to pet owners to help them keep their pets healthy and happy.