To prevent ectropion secondary to another medical condition, the best thing you can do is to keep up with regular veterinary care and seek prompt treatment for any infections or eye issues. Choosing a puppy without a family history of ectropion is the best way to avoid the condition.Įven then, there’s no guarantee - especially for breeds listed above, that are naturally selected to have droopy eyes. Facial paralysis on both sides of the face can be more difficult to recognize. Paralysis on one side of the face is common when the facial nerve is damaged. If adopting a puppy from a breeder, you can ask about their family history, including severe ectropion (which required surgical correction) or other eye issues. Facial paralysis in dogs may result from injuries caused by rough handling or other trauma, such as automobile accidents, inner ear infections, hypothyroidism, tumors, and unknown causes. The surgical procedure involves shortening the lower eyelid to prevent drooping and gaping, so the lid “fits” better against the eyeball. Those dogs may need regular lubricating eye drops to prevent the conjunctiva from drying out.įor more severe cases of ectropion, surgery may be the best option, since it’s the only way to permanently fix the issue. Some are affected by complications more frequently than others. Many dogs with ectropion simply live with the condition. SEE ALSO: Entropion in Dogs & Cats What is the surgery for ectropion? These complications will need medical treatment. Your vet may recommend additional tests to look for complications of ectropion, such as infections, corneal ulcerations, or chronic dry eye. In most cases, your vet can diagnose ectropion simply by looking at your dog’s eyes and eyelids. Symptoms you may notice include red, itchy, or watery eyes, squinting, mucoid discharge from the eyes, conjunctivitis, or pawing at the eye area. But the condition results in less effective eye protection and tear distribution. What are signs your pet may have ectropion?Įctropion by itself doesn’t irritate the eye. Commonly affected dogs include Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs, Saint Bernards, Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, Shih Tzus, Mastiffs, Chow Chows, Newfoundlands, and others. Shar Peis and Chow Chows, in which breeding. It may also happen secondary to another issue, such as facial paralysis, a thyroid imbalance, or an injury, but this is less common.Įctropion is seen most often in dog breeds with short noses and skin folds on their face. For example, droopy lower eyelids (ectropion) are usually present in Basset hounds and other hound breeds. What are the causes of ectropion?Įctropion is a genetic or hereditary condition. All of this can cause eye infections, irritation, or even scratches/ulcerations or scars on the eyes that interfere with vision.Įctropion typically just affects the lower eyelids, and it can happen in one or both eyes. Also, the droopy eyelid pockets can collect dust, pollen, or other small irritants. Since the eyelids don’t sit against the eyes like they should, the eyes can get dried out. While not inherently painful like entropion, ectropion comes with its own set of potential complications. This gives a pet a very droopy-eyed appearance, where you can usually see the pink on the inside of their eyelids. With ectropion, a pet’s eyelid rolls outward - rather than rolling in toward the eye, like with entropion.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |