Ectropion is a malposition of the eyelid that mainly affects the lower eyelid. The outer edge of the eyelid is turned outward and hangs down, which is why it is also referred to as a "drooping eyelid." This malposition prevents the eyelid from closing normally, leaving the eye permanently slightly open.
In many dog breeds, especially those with a lot of loose skin, the drooping eyelid is congenital, meaning it is a hereditary condition. Predisposed breeds include the Neapolitan Mastiff, Mastiff, Basset Hound, Swiss Mountain Dog, Great Dane, and various Spaniel breeds. In these dog breeds, the drooping eyelid is even considered a breed characteristic. However, as this is a condition, potential owners should be aware that these dogs may suffer from health problems as a result of these changes.
However, ectropion can also be acquired and develop after surgery (e.g., excessive correction of entropion) or neoplasms (tumors or abscesses) on the eyelid.
Paralysis of the facial nerve can also lead to a drooping lower eyelid and thus to ectropion due to slackening of the facial muscles.
Due to the enlarged palpebral fissure and poor eyelid closure, the normally covered conjunctiva is exposed and permanently exposed to external stimuli such as dust, foreign bodies, and bacteria. This leads to chronic redness and conjunctivitis with mucous-milky to partially purulent eye discharge. The eye tries to compensate for this pathological condition by forming folds in the eyelids. This results in what is known as "checkered eye."
The eyeball is no longer adequately moistened due to the lack of eyelid closure, which means that the cornea in particular is less protected and therefore more vulnerable. Dogs with ectropion therefore often suffer from corneal changes. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from ectropion and the associated symptoms, please consult a veterinarian immediately. The sooner ectropion is treated, the better the chances of avoiding further damage.
An ectropion can usually be diagnosed with certainty by the attending veterinarian after a general clinical examination and a special eye examination.
The type of treatment depends on the type and severity of the ectropion and the age of the animal. In young dogs with only minor changes, surgery is usually not performed, as the position of the eyelid can change as the skull grows and the ectropion can therefore regress on its own.
In adult dogs with severe changes and recurrent conjunctival and corneal inflammation, surgery is unavoidable to protect the eye from further damage. Depending on the severity of the change, the veterinarian has various surgical methods at their disposal, all of which lead to a tightening of the affected eyelid. If conjunctival and corneal inflammation is present, these are additionally treated with appropriate medication.
In general, the prognosis is good even after successful surgery. However, if complications such as corneal damage have already occurred, the prognosis may deteriorate significantly.
Ectropion is a partially hereditary condition that cannot be completely prevented. Since drooping eyelids are considered a typical breed characteristic in some breeds, these dogs are not currently excluded from breeding, as is the case with entropion. The incidence of the condition can therefore only be reduced to a limited extent.
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Scintigraphy uses substances labeled with weak radioactive isotopes to visualize pathological changes in the body. The image produced is called a scintigram.
One topic that many horse owners don't like to think about is that horses need to be transported from time to time. It is important to be prepared for this and to actually practice loading and transporting your horse in advance. Because when it suddenly comes to "putting the horse in the horse trailer," some animals can be more stubborn than expected. Loading and transporting horses causes a certain amount of stress for them. Even the most experienced horses, who travel to competitions every weekend, will show some signs of tension. But transport is a matter of practice; the more we make it a routine, the easier it becomes for the horse. To get a horse from A to B, it goes without saying that the towing vehicle and horse trailer must be compatible and that the technical requirements must be met. It is also very important to carry the horse's equine passport with you.
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Myiasis is the medical term for fly maggot infestation in rabbits, which occurs primarily in the warm summer months and in injured or weakened animals. The disease is often underestimated, but can be life-threatening for rabbits.
This muscle disease, which was only discovered in recent years, occurs primarily in Quarter Horses and cold-blooded animals and is characterized by the storage of excessive amounts of glycogen (animal starch stored in cells) in the horse's muscles. It is known as polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).
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Dogs and cats can go blind for various reasons. However, this does not mean "the end" for our beloved four-legged friends. Dogs and cats in particular, who live together with us humans, are very good at compensating for their loss of sight with other senses and can continue to lead almost normal lives.
Neoplasms of the mammary gland account for more than half of all cancers in female dogs. These benign or malignant tumors occur primarily in older, unspayed female dogs and initially appear as small, nodular changes along the entire mammary gland, which can later become very large. Different types of mammary tumors can occur.
