What Entropion Is
Entropion is a condition in which a dog’s eyelid, most often the lower lid, rolls inward toward the eye, causing the fur along the lid margin to continuously rub against the surface of the eyeball.
This constant friction irritates the cornea, the clear surface of the eye, and can lead to painful inflammation, scarring, and in severe or untreated cases, corneal ulcers that threaten a dog’s vision.
It can affect one or both eyes, and severity ranges from a mild inward roll that causes minor irritation to a more severe rotation that causes significant, ongoing pain and eye damage.
Entropion is one of the more common inherited eyelid conditions in dogs and is considered a structural issue with the eyelid itself rather than an infection or temporary irritation.
Causes & Breed Predisposition
Congenital entropion, present from a young age, is largely genetic and tends to run in certain breeds, appearing as puppies grow and their facial structure develops.
Breeds with loose facial skin or deep-set eyes, including Shar-Peis, Bulldogs, Chow Chows, Bloodhounds, and Mastiffs, are especially predisposed due to how their skull and eyelid structure naturally sits.
Acquired entropion can develop later in life due to chronic eye pain from another condition (which causes squinting and muscle spasm that pulls the lid inward), scarring from previous injury, or age-related loss of tissue tone around the eye.
Because congenital entropion has a strong hereditary component, reputable breeders in predisposed breeds often screen breeding dogs and avoid pairing two dogs both showing signs of the condition.
Symptoms to Watch For
Excessive tearing, squinting, or holding one eye partially or fully closed are usually the earliest and most noticeable signs, especially in bright light or windy conditions.
Redness, discharge, or a visibly cloudy or bluish tint to the surface of the eye can indicate irritation or the beginning of a corneal ulcer from ongoing friction.
Pawing at the face or rubbing the eye against furniture or bedding is a common behavioral sign that a dog is trying to relieve discomfort from the constant rubbing.
In puppies, mild entropion sometimes resolves on its own as the face fills out and matures, but any sign of eye pain, cloudiness, or pawing at the eye should be checked by a vet rather than assumed to be temporary.
Diagnosis & Surgical Treatment
A vet or veterinary ophthalmologist diagnoses entropion through a physical eye exam, sometimes using a special stain to check for corneal damage caused by the inward-rolling lid.
Mild cases, especially in puppies, may be managed temporarily with lubricating eye drops or temporary tacking sutures that hold the lid in a normal position while the dog continues growing.
Surgical correction, involving removing a small amount of skin below the eyelid to roll it back into a normal position, is the standard permanent treatment for dogs with true structural entropion.
Most dogs recover well from entropion surgery with a cone to prevent rubbing during healing, and the procedure has a high success rate at eliminating the ongoing irritation and pain the condition causes.
Recovery & Outlook
Recovery from entropion surgery typically takes about two weeks, during which the eye area may look swollen or bruised before settling into its corrected position.
An e-collar is almost always needed during recovery to prevent a dog from rubbing or scratching at the surgical site, which could disrupt healing or reopen sutures.
Some puppies who have temporary tacking sutures placed for mild entropion may still need full surgical correction later if the condition doesn’t resolve on its own as they mature.
With prompt treatment, most dogs go on to have a normal, comfortable eye long-term, though breeds with a strong genetic predisposition sometimes need the procedure again later in life if new folds develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is entropion surgery necessary, or can it be left untreated?
Left untreated, the ongoing friction from entropion can cause chronic pain, corneal scarring, and vision loss, so surgical correction is generally recommended once a dog is showing signs of eye irritation.
At what age can puppies have entropion surgery?
Vets often wait until a puppy is closer to full facial growth, sometimes using temporary tacking sutures in the meantime, though the exact timing depends on severity and is best decided with your vet.
Can entropion come back after surgery?
In breeds with a strong genetic predisposition, new skin folds can occasionally develop later in life, sometimes requiring a second procedure, but most dogs have long-lasting results after one surgery.
Is entropion painful for dogs?
Yes, the constant friction of fur rubbing against the eye’s surface is uncomfortable to painful, and dogs often show squinting, tearing, or pawing at the eye as a result.
How much does entropion surgery cost?
Costs vary by region, severity, and whether one or both eyes need correction, generally ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, particularly if a veterinary ophthalmologist performs the procedure.