Entropion Surgery in Bulldogs

Entropion occurs in bulldogs when either the upper or lower eyelid begins to roll inward. Untreated, the condition can cause severe damage and scaring of the cornea. An inherited eye condition, entropion runs in the bulldog lines. It also occurs in other dog breeds such as the Great Dane, shar-pei and St. Bernard.

  1. Occurrence

    • Entropion begins to manifest in the bulldog a few months after birth or, rarely, it can manifest later in the dog's life. The condition normally occurs in the outer corners of the eye. Often both the upper and lower eyelids show involvement. In severe cases, the entire eyelid will roll completely inward.

    Symptoms

    • The dog will exhibit excessive tearing of the infected eye. Pus may accumulate in the corner of the eye. The dog will often rub its eye in a vain attempt to remove the irritation caused from the inward pointing eyelashes. Often, the owner will notice that the dog is squinting and appears to be unable to see well. The condition is extremely painful and uncomfortable for the bulldog.

    Diagnosis

    • The veterinarian will closely exam the bulldog's eye lids and lashes for signs they are turning inward. Fluorescein dye will be placed in the eye to determine the damage done to the cornea and if any ulcers have manifested.

    Surgical Suturing

    • The only treatment for entropion is surgery. The veterinarian may choose to surgically tack the eyes. This entails suturing the eyelid to roll the eyelashes outward away from the surface of the eye. Rarely, staples may be used in place of sutures. The sutures or staples remain in the eye for seven to 10 days and then are removed, according to Pet Place. Suturing and stapling works best in young puppies that still are growing.

    Skin Removal

    • Severe entropion requires surgical removal of a portion of the eyelid skin. The skin in the outer corner is often clipped away so the eyelid turns outward again and ceases irritating the eye. Surgical skin removal is the most successful means of treating entropion.

    Aftercare

    • Following surgery the bulldog will be sent home. Once home, the owner will need to apply topical medications to the eye to help heal any corneal ulcers and also antibiotics to prevent infections. The veterinarian will do a followup exam to make sure that the surgery was successful.