Eyelids protect the eye from dirt and moisture. All eyes have an upper and a lower lid. Eyelashes on the edge of the eyelid keep dirt out of the eye. These hairs on the eye cause the eyelid to go down. Several eyelid problems can occur in dogs. These can be caused by illness, an injury, or an unusual build of the dog breed,
which can make an animal more likely to have problems with the eyelid. Common conditions include entropion, ectropion, abnormal eyelash growth, eyelid inflammation, eyelid swelling, stye, and chalazion formation, and eyelid tumors.
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entropion
Entropion occurs when the eyelids curl inward. This is a common abnormality in several dog breeds. Some breeds that can be affected by this condition include the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Bloodhound, the Bulldog, the Chow Chow, the Great Dane,
the English Cocker Spaniel, the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard, and the Sharpei. The eyelids may also curl up if there is an eye infection or scar tissue. Entropion leads to irritation and damage to the cornea.
Symptoms
Dogs that suffer from curled eyelids suffer from red and watery eyes and squint a lot. The cornea darkens due to the stimuli. The eyelid slowly curls inward, making symptoms worse.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A vet makes the diagnosis by dropping a dog’s eye. It soon becomes clear whether there is entropion. If there is no entropion, the squinting of the eyes passes. This is not the case if this condition is present. The curly eyelids are remedied by a surgical procedure.
The animal must have grown for this. The vet removes a strip of skin from the eyelid so that the eyelid is immediately returned to a normal position. In younger animals that cannot yet be operated on, temporary sutures are placed so that the eyelids no longer rub against the cornea. In addition, protective eye ointments are prescribed.
Ectropion
An opposite condition of entropion is ectropion. This causes the dog’s eyelids to curl outwards. In this way, the conjunctiva of the eye becomes visible. Several dog breeds are deliberately bred this way. Outward curling eyelids leave the pink conjunctiva susceptible to dirt,
inflammation, and injury. Entropia is common in bloodhounds, basset hounds, spaniels, and large, bulky dog breeds such as Saint Bernard. Eyelids can also fold outward due to natural aging, reducing the elasticity of the skin.
Symptoms
Ectropion is clearly visible because the eyelids curl outwards. A dog loses a lot of tears, causing tear stripes. There is also pus flowing from the eye.
Diagnosis and Treatment
This condition is common in older dogs. Owners can help their pets by keeping the eye-clean. This is done by dabbing the exposed conjunctiva with a piece of cotton wool soaked in salt water or an eyewash. In rare cases, surgery follows, in which the surgeon tightens the eyelids.
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Abnormal eyelash growth
Some dogs do not have normal growth of eyelashes. In distichiasis, the eyelashes grow out of the edge of the eyelids. It is also possible that the eyelashes curl from the inside out and thus stimulate the eyelids. This is called trichiasis. This creates continuous irritation.
This in turn can lead to inflammation of the conjunctiva or damage to the cornea. Breeds commonly affected include the Bulldog, Dachshund, English Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese, Poodle, and Weimaraner.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Abnormal eyelashes can be removed with tweezers. This only provides temporary relief and this action must be repeated regularly. A dog usually doesn’t like that. The best treatment is therefore a surgical procedure. The hair follicles are removed. Freezing and electrolysis can also be used to ‘turn off the hair follicles.
Eyelid inflammation
The most common eye complaint in dogs is eyelid inflammation. This condition is also known as blepharitis. Puppies are most prone to eyelid inflammation. Blepharitis also occurs in older dogs. The inflammation is then accompanied by an underlying skin condition, such as Demodex mites, an autoimmune disease, or a malfunctioning thyroid gland.
Symptoms
The dog’s eyelid becomes red and swollen with inflammation. Fluid and pus can also ooze out. This creates an ugly crust. If it is not removed, the eyelids will stick together.
Diagnosis and Treatment
An eyelid infection is caused by bacteria. The vet will culture tissue to see which bacteria is active. Thus, an antibiotic can be prescribed that fights the causative agent of blepharitis. The crust should be soaked with a soft cloth. Then apply the prescribed eye ointment. The eyelid inflammation disappears afterward.
Eyelid swelling
A dog’s eyelid can sometimes swell acutely. In most cases, this happens after an allergic reaction. This can be the case with an insect bite, an injection from the vet, or a food reaction.
Symptoms
In acute eyelid swelling, the eyelid quickly thickens. The dog gets itchy and starts chafing with his head and eyes. A swollen eyelid usually occurs after thirty minutes after, for example, an insect bite.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A vet can quickly tell if a dog is suffering from a swelling eyelid. He usually prescribes two medications, namely an oral antihistamine or corticosteroid eye ointment or droplets to be administered several times a day.
Chalazion and styes
Sebaceous glands cover the eyelids. Sometimes one of these glands becomes infected. At that moment a ‘stye’ is formed. This is a swelling that turns red and is very tender. This creates a blockage. An insensitive lump containing pus forms. This swelling leads to a chalazion, a lump on the edge of the eyelid.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It is quickly clear to a vet whether there is a style or a chalazion on the eyelid. A style can be punctured by the animal doctor. Beforehand, the owner should place a warm cloth on the sty three times a day, so that the lump gets ahead. Then the bulge can be punctured. A chalazion can only be removed through surgery. After this, antibiotics and painkillers may be prescribed.
eyelid tumor
There are several types of tumors that can settle on a dog’s eyelid. The most common cancer on the eyelid is the adenoma from a sebaceous gland. These glands have a special type of cells that are only found on the skin fold in the eye. These cells make a kind of oil that prevents tears from evaporating quickly.
The adenoma causes a cauliflower-like matter to grow from the affected sebaceous gland. Often sebaceous gland tumors occur at the same time in the eyelid. Vets also see many benign melanomas in older dogs. These tumors arise in the skin cells that contain pigment.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If a tumor on the eyelid is suspected, a vet can remove tissue to see what type of tumor it is. In most cases, the cancer is removed by surgery. With an adenoma, the vet works with a blepharoplasty in which the tumor is removed. The surgeon then makes a new eyelid margin using plastic surgery. Eyelid tumors should be removed as soon as possible.
