What are the symptoms and treatment of ectropion in dogs?

Before even bringing the dog home for the first time, we have to be aware that it will need a series of care throughout its life, not only food, water and daily walks, but also veterinary attention.

And it is that, no matter how much we care to give him everything he needs, sometimes he will get sick. One of the most common diseases is ectropion in dogs. Let's see what it is and what its treatment is so that it is easier for us to identify it and help our friend.

What is it?

Ectropion is a canine disease in which the inner part of the eyelid, known as the palpebral conjunctiva, is exposed. As a consequence, the animal is predisposed to suffer from very different eye problems, and could even lose vision, which is why it is so important to take it to the vet as soon as we detect the symptoms that we will mention below.

What are the causes?

This disease can be caused by a marked genetic predisposition, what is known as primary ectropion; or as consequence of other factors (trauma, inflammation, infection, ulceration, facial nerve paralysis, or rapid and marked weight loss), which is secondary ectropion.

Primary ectropion appears very frequently in those large dogs and, above all, in those with very loose and folds, such as shar-pei, Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Bullmastiff, Newfoundland, Labrador retriever and Cocker Spaniel . In contrast, secondary ectropion is common in older dogs older than 8 years.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are very obvious, and are the following:

• The lower eyelid is drooping and separated from the eyeball, so the conjunctiva and third eyelid are easy to see.
• The conjunctiva is red or inflamed.
• Stains have appeared on the face caused by the flow of tears that do not pass into the tear ducts.
• There is eye inflammation.
• The eye area becomes infected by bacteria on a recurring basis.
• The animal feels irritated eyes from foreign objects.

How do you make the diagnostic?

Once we detect any of the symptoms described, we have to take him to the vet. There, the professional give you a complete eye exam to identify what has been the cause and, thereafter, decide what treatment to give it.

How is it treated?

Ectropion is a disease with a treatment that is usually simple. In fact, often with eye drops or other lubricants it can be solved well. In severe cases, the professional will choose to intervene surgically, but you have to know that the prognosis is good.

Can it be prevented?

Not 100%, but some things can be done to at least reduce the risk that our friend will suffer from it. These measures consist of:

• Take care of your eyes: starting by giving them a high-quality diet (basically, without cereals or by-products) and cleaning them regularly with eye drops -or with an infusion of chamomile and gauze-. If it is a breed dog with folds like the Shar-Pei, the frequency of eye cleaning should be daily.
• Do not use ectropion specimens as breeders: remember that this disease can be hereditary. Although it is true that the treatment is simple, it is always better if the puppies are born to healthy parents.

Ectropion is a disease that many dogs can have throughout their lives. To ensure that they are healthy and happy it is very important to make sure they receive all the care they need. This way we can help them to improve in the event that they have ectropion or any other pathology.