Entropion is also colloquially referred to as a rolled eyelid and describes the inward rolling of the upper or lower eyelid. It can affect the entire eyelid or just part of it.
The hereditary form of rolled eyelids is the most common type. In Char Pei and Chow Chow breeds, entropion is congenital, meaning it is present from the day the puppy first opens its eyes. In German Pointing Dog, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, English Bulldog, and Poodle breeds, the changes usually only appear within the first year of life.
As a result of very painful processes on or in the eye, very strong blinking or a spasm of the eyelid can cause the eyeball to contract and the eyelids to roll inwards.
Age-related weakness of the connective tissue can lead to a lack of support, particularly in the upper eyelid, causing the eyelid to roll in and the eyelashes and hairs of the eyelid to rub against the eye.
After eyelid injuries or inflammation, scar tissue can also cause the eyelids to roll inward.
An eyeball that lies too deep in the eye socket can also cause entropion. In older dogs or those that have lost a lot of weight in a short period of time, the fat pad behind the eyeball disappears, causing the eyeball to sink further into the eye socket and causing the eyelid to roll inward.
The inward-turning eyelid causes hair and eyelashes to rub constantly against the conjunctiva and cornea, leading to permanent irritation. At the onset of the disease, affected animals blink more frequently, squint, and show eye discharge and redness. Due to the pain, they try to scratch or rub their eyes, which usually makes the symptoms worse.
As the disease progresses, severe and very painful conjunctival and corneal inflammation can develop. This often leads to a corneal ulcer, which in the worst case can result in loss of vision. Therefore, consult a veterinarian in good time if you notice any of the above signs of disease in your animal.
After a general clinical examination and a special eye examination, the veterinarian can usually make a reliable diagnosis very quickly. Further examinations may be necessary to determine the exact causes and type of entropion. In the case of spastic entropion, for example, the administration of pain-relieving eye drops can already lead to a clear diagnosis, as the eyelid rolls back out again when the pain subsides.
The treatment of entropion depends on the type and severity of the condition and the age of the animal. With the exception of a few cases, however, surgical treatment alone is promising.
Pain-related (spastic) entropion can be corrected conservatively by treating the underlying cause.
In young dogs, the first step is often a temporary correction involving only a minor surgical procedure. This method, known as "lid tacking," involves tightening the affected eyelid by stapling the overlying skin together. The skin staples are left in place for approximately four to six weeks. Depending on the severity of the entropion, this procedure may need to be repeated several times. However, in growing dogs, there is a good chance that the rolled eyelid will grow out.
Only in adult dogs with severe symptoms is a surgical eyelid lift usually performed, in which excess tissue and skin are removed and the edge of the eyelid is shortened. Depending on the type and severity of the entropion, various surgical techniques are available. Your veterinarian will discuss the exact procedure with you on a case-by-case basis or, if necessary, refer your pet to a specialist.
The prognosis depends primarily on the severity of the entropion and the healing process following conservative or surgical treatment. However, the prognosis is generally good.
As this is a partially hereditary disease, it cannot be completely prevented. Breeding measures should therefore be taken to reduce the incidence of the disease. This includes examining the parents and siblings of affected dogs for eyelid malformations and excluding them from breeding if any are found. Some breeding associations already require such examinations and have thus been able to significantly reduce the incidence of the disease.
Behind this complicated name lies an aggressive form of cancer in dogs, also known as malignant histiocytosis, which mainly affects Bernese Mountain Dogs, Retrievers and Rottweilers and is one of the most common causes of death in these breeds as a hereditary disease. It primarily affects male dogs between the ages of two and eight. The disease is relatively rare in other dog breeds.
The prostate gland is the most important sex gland in male dogs. It is located behind the bladder and surrounds the beginning of the urethra. The secretion produced by the prostate gland is a component of semen and is ejaculated together with the sperm produced in the testicles. Prostate disorders are usually diagnosed in older, unneutered male dogs. These disorders can cause various changes in the gland.
Claw disorders are relatively rare in dogs. However, injuries, excessive licking or poor grooming can cause the claw bed to become inflamed due to the penetration of bacteria or fungi. Symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy (SLO) is the most common form of claw bed inflammation in dogs. This rare but extremely painful disease of the claw bed mainly affects large dogs (Great Danes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, German Shepherds) and can be triggered by various factors.
This brain disorder, which has not yet been fully researched in dogs, causes seizures that can be very frightening for dog owners. Epilepsy can be treated very effectively with medication, but its cause is still not fully understood.
Some dogs have long hair, others short, others trimmed... Dog groomers are becoming increasingly popular. And even dogs that don't really need a haircut can relax during a wash, cut, and blow-dry.
A hernia is a bulge in the abdominal wall through which the peritoneum and intestines can protrude. Perianal hernia, also known as perineal hernia, is a condition that occurs in 90% of older, unneutered male dogs, in which fat and abdominal organs protrude under the skin in the perineal area (the area between the anus and the external genitalia).
Cats communicate through various channels. Their behavior, body language, vocalizations, and scent markings, which are largely invisible to humans, speak volumes. But how can "cat language" be translated into "human language"?
Have you ever wondered whether your dog can see the magnificent colors that nature sometimes presents us with? Have you ever thought about how your dog sees you and how it perceives its environment with its eyes?
Fungal diseases are among the most common skin diseases in horses. They occur regardless of the season, are easily transmissible, and cause circular, scaly, non-itchy skin lesions. Young horses whose immune systems are not yet fully developed are particularly affected. Humans can also become infected with a skin fungus from horses, meaning that it is a zoonosis.
Horse influenza, similar to influenza in humans, is a highly contagious viral disease of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Its classic progression makes it easy to distinguish from other respiratory diseases. With the exception of New Zealand and Australia, it occurs worldwide. It is the most common viral respiratory disease in horses. Despite almost universal vaccination, outbreaks of the disease continue to occur.
Castration of stallions is one of the most common medical procedures performed on horses and refers to the surgical removal of the male sex organs or gonads (testicles). This is an amputation permitted under animal welfare legislation. A castrated stallion is referred to as a gelding and is permanently infertile.
Everyone has probably heard the term "mangy dog" before. But what exactly is mange? Mange is a contagious skin disease in dogs caused by various types of mites. Classic mange in dogs is caused by the Sarcoptes mite (scabies mite). However, there are other types of mites that cause similar skin changes.
