


Ultimately, surgical therapy will be necessary if these eye conditions occur more than once. If dry eye is present, there are medications to help lubricate the eyes. If dry eye is suspected, Schirmer tear testing is easily performed to help rule it out.ĭogs with corneal ulcers or keratitis will require topical eye ointments or drops to help treat it. Blood and urine testing are important baseline tests, but in some cases, more invasive testing like muscle tissue biopsies will be necessary in order to diagnose a neuromuscular disorder.įor any dog with reddened conjunctiva, eye discharge, squinting, or other acute eye problems, corneal stain testing is necessary to rule out an ulcer or abrasion over the cornea. For an adult or senior dogs, the sudden appearance of ectropion will indicate an underlying cause, and testing will be necessary to rule out various illnesses. When diagnosed in a young dog, it is most likely genetic in origin. Sometimes, this results in mucoid discharge around the eyelid margin and/or tear staining on the fur just beneath the eyes. The lower lid will droop downward and outward, exposing pink conjunctival tissue. It can also result in the drooping of the face and eyelids in dogs and even in people.Įctropion is easily diagnosed based on physical examination. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, and this leads to the slowing down of important body functions. It is especially noticeable when only one side is affected because the opposite eyelid will appear normal. Facial nerve paralysis can affect the muscles that move the face and open the eyelids, so paralysis will cause the eyelids and often the entire face to droop. Sometimes, dogs can develop ectropion due to other illnesses. Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, and Newfoundlands are some of the most common breeds. This means that certain breeds are more susceptible to developing it before one year of age. This can increase the risk of infection and cause a lot of pain since the cornea is so sensitive. It can also contribute to dryness of the cornea and inflammation of the cornea, aka keratitis. The lower eyelid rolls outward and exposes sensitive pink tissues known as the conjunctivae. Has your dog developed ectropion? What sort of corrective measures helped fix the issue? Tell us all about it in the comments below.Ectropion is an abnormality of the lower eyelids that causes them to appear droopy.
DROPPY EYE DOG FULL
Additionally, vets may also prescribe medication to soothe the eyes as part of the recovery process.Īs always, if your vet prescribes any medicine for your dog, it is vital that you stick to the precise dosage and frequency instructions and complete the full course of medication. While recovering from surgery, dogs are required to wear Elizabethan collars. The surgical process to correct droopy eye involves attempting to shorten the eyelids.

In mild cases, the use of eye drops can help to manage the condition although, more severe cases will require surgery. They’ll also order blood and urine tests if your vet suspects that an underlying cause might be prompting the condition. If you start to suspect that your dog is developing ectropion, then your veterinarian will want to conduct a detailed examination of their eyes.
