Entropion surgery addresses a painful condition where your pet’s eyelids roll inward, causing fur and eyelashes to rub against the cornea. At Veterinary Vision Specialists, Dr. Ann Bosiack specializes in correcting this uncomfortable condition to restore your pet’s comfort and prevent long-term eye damage. Our surgical approach is tailored to your pet’s specific needs, whether they’re a bulldog with facial folds or another breed experiencing this common issue.
Entropion Surgery for Pets: Relieve Pain & Restore Eye Health
Understanding Entropion Surgery
Entropion surgery is a specialized procedure that corrects an inward-rolling eyelid by removing a small portion of skin below the affected eyelid. This creates the proper tension to pull the eyelid back into its normal position. The surgery is particularly common in certain breeds with excessive facial skin folds, such as bulldogs, but can be necessary for any dog experiencing this painful condition. Early intervention through entropion surgery can prevent serious complications like corneal ulcers, scarring, and potential vision loss.
Benefits of Entropion Surgery
Our Entropion Surgery Process
Comprehensive Eye Evaluation
During your first visit, Dr. Bosiack will perform a comprehensive eye examination to determine the severity of your pet’s entropion. We’ll evaluate the extent of the inward-rolling eyelid and assess any damage to the cornea or surrounding tissues. This detailed assessment helps us determine whether your pet needs immediate surgical intervention or if temporary treatments might help in mild cases.
Creating Your Pet’s Surgical Plan
Based on your pet’s specific condition, breed, and medical history, we’ll develop a personalized surgical approach. For bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds, we consider the unique facial structure when planning the procedure. Your treatment plan will include pre-operative care instructions, information about the surgical technique we’ll use, and expected outcomes specific to your pet’s situation.
The Surgical Procedure Explained
The entropion surgery itself typically takes 30-60 minutes under general anesthesia, with your pet monitored closely throughout. Dr. Bosiack will precisely remove a small crescent-shaped section of skin below the affected eyelid to create appropriate tension. Fine sutures are then placed to secure the eyelid in its new, corrected position, ensuring proper healing and alignment.
Recovery Care for Your Pet
Post-surgery care includes administering prescribed medications and preventing your pet from rubbing or scratching the surgical site. We’ll provide you with an Elizabethan collar (cone) and detailed instructions on keeping the area clean and infection-free. Most pets require follow-up appointments to remove sutures and monitor healing, though in some cases we use dissolving sutures that don’t require removal.
Monitoring Healing and Results
A follow-up examination is scheduled 10-14 days after surgery to evaluate healing and remove non-dissolving sutures if used. Dr. Bosiack will assess whether the correction is adequate or if any adjustments might be needed. Regular annual check-ups are recommended following entropion surgery to ensure the correction remains stable and to monitor your pet’s overall ocular health.
Why Choose Us for Entropion Surgery
At Veterinary Vision Specialists, our team led by Dr. Ann Bosiack has extensive experience performing entropion surgery on dogs of all breeds, with special expertise in brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs that frequently suffer from this condition. We utilize the most current surgical techniques that minimize scarring and recovery time while maximizing successful outcomes. We treat every pet with care—before, during, and after surgery.
Pet Entropion Surgery FAQs: What You Need to Know
What is entropion in dogs?
Entropion is a condition where a dog’s eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes and fur to rub against the cornea. This creates constant irritation, tearing, squinting, and can lead to corneal ulcers if left untreated. The condition can affect either the upper or lower eyelid, and sometimes both, creating ongoing discomfort for affected pets.
What causes entropion in dogs?
Entropion often has a genetic component, especially in breeds with excessive facial skin like Shar-Peis, Bulldogs, and Chow Chows. Other causes include facial trauma, nerve damage, or significant weight loss that changes the facial structure. Chronic eye pain may also cause muscle spasms that pull the eyelid inward, creating a cycle of increasing irritation.
Can entropion correct itself in dogs?
Entropion rarely corrects itself naturally once it has developed in adult dogs. In puppies, what appears to be entropion might sometimes be developmental and could improve as they grow and their facial structures mature. Professional veterinary intervention is almost always necessary for permanent correction and relief from the painful symptoms.
How common is entropion in dogs?
Entropion is relatively common, particularly in certain breeds with facial skin folds or deep-set eyes. Approximately 1 in 50 dogs will develop entropion during their lifetime, with much higher rates in predisposed breeds. The condition is one of the most frequently diagnosed conformational eyelid abnormalities seen in veterinary ophthalmology practices.
How long does entropion surgery take for dogs?
The typical entropion surgery procedure takes between 30-60 minutes to complete, depending on whether one or both eyes require correction. The entire process, including pre-surgical preparation and post-anesthesia recovery, usually requires about 2-3 hours at the clinic. Most pets can return home the same day once they’ve recovered sufficiently from anesthesia.
Give Your Pet the Gift of Clear, Comfortable Vision
Your pet doesn’t have to endure the constant irritation that entropion causes. With a simple surgical procedure, Dr. Ann Bosiack can transform your pet’s daily life, eliminating pain and preventing serious eye damage. You’ll see it in their eyes—and in the tail wags, zoomies, and snuggles you’ve been missing.
Ready to help your furry family member see the world clearly again? Veterinary Vision Specialists is just a phone call away at 804-636-0246. Schedule your consultation today and take a crucial step toward your pet’s improved quality of life.
Book Appointment
