Entropion treatment without surgery?

[paw7004]

Porkchop was diagnosed with entropion a couple of years ago, at age 7. Daily treatment with Genteel Eyes was helpful. In the last week, he has been dragging his face on the carpet, both eyes are squinting, tearing and gooey in the mornings. He has become combative if I try to exam his eyes. Porkchop, now almost 10 yrs old, is too old for surgery. Are there other treatments available? I plan to take him to the vet next week so it would be nice to know if there are other options that have worked for any of you. Thanks!

 

[Manydogs]

I have not heard of any treatment other than surgery, if his eyelashes are irritating his eyes except sometimes they do pluck them-which is not permanent.

 

[cefe13]

Castor was scheduled for surgery two years or so ago but we decided against it. One thing that made us reconsider was the success of the plucking of eyelashes. The vet used a pair of tweezers and removed eyelashes with a steady hand while Castor was just sitting there, looking at her. Amazing to see. He probably could need another session with that vet but so far he has no major problems. If you have a really skilled eye vet who can do this I would recommend that as it doesn't involve any meds or sedation. The only thing as far as I understand is that the vet has a steady hand and that the dog sits still.

 

[Dollys Owner]

You can get the eyelashes permanently removed by cryotherapy, like Chip did. [MENTION=15364]oscarmayer[/MENTION]

 

[oscarmayer]

The cryo worked great for MINI, but she was being treated for distichia...similar to but not the same as entropion. With distichia, certain lashes grow towards the eye. With entropion the eyelid(and all lashes) turn inward. Both abnormalities can cause the same symptoms. Cryo still requires GA/intubation... that being the risk for an older dog.
We have treated numerous dogs over the age of 10 and I do not recall any noteworthy incidences...but I will never say there’s not more risk with an older patient. At some point, quality of life has to be considered. This is a tough decision. Pork chop does appear to be fit...which is in his favor, surgery-wise.

 

[paw7004]

I will inquire about eyelash plucking. Porkchop has had surgery twice before, neuter and nose repair, and had no problems. But I am reluctant to do that due to his age and my finances. Other steps I am taking while waiting for vet appointment- ruling out sensitivity to all of the dust and such blowing about as the leaves are now falling, so he started on Benadryl yesterday. (We live in a heavily wooded area.) It is also dry in the house with the heat on so I am running a steam humidifier starting this morning. I don't know if those two things will make a difference but no harm in trying.

 

[2BullyMama]

I will inquire about eyelash plucking. Porkchop has had surgery twice before, neuter and nose repair, and had no problems. But I am reluctant to do that due to his age and my finances. Other steps I am taking while waiting for vet appointment- ruling out sensitivity to all of the dust and such blowing about as the leaves are now falling, so he started on Benadryl yesterday. (We live in a heavily wooded area.) It is also dry in the house with the heat on so I am running a steam humidifier starting this morning. I don't know if those two things will make a difference but no harm in trying.

Hoping these things help... keep us posted on the outcome


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[paw7004]

Porkchop saw the vet this morning. His eyes are still gooey and barely opened them Vet said she didn’t see significant entropion. The stain test for scratches was negative, the Schirmer test for tears was good (no dry eye) and glaucoma test was negative. An antibiotic ointment was prescribed to see if that helps. The conjunctiva in right eye was bright pink and seemed swollen. His breath has gotten really nasty over the last few days. Vet said his gums have grown over teeth in the back, not just his front bottom teeth. She noted some irritation in his cheeks so she thought maybe he was accidentally biting them when chewing. So no diagnosis, just pinch hitting right now. When she numbed his eyes, he did open them after a few minutes. But that must’ve worn off after an hour because he squinted again. He’ll have a follow up next week.

On a similar topic of overgrown gums, I told her my SIL, a dental hygienist, said overgrown gums are seen in mouth breathers, snorers. Well, that’s Pork. My vet said that she sees this mostly in bulldogs and boxers but said she wasn’t aware of any animal studies that would link mouth breathing with overgrown gums. Maybe a vet school should do a study!

 

[2BullyMama]

Porkchop saw the vet this morning. His eyes are still gooey and barely opened them Vet said she didn’t see significant entropion. The stain test for scratches was negative, the Schirmer test for tears was good (no dry eye) and glaucoma test was negative. An antibiotic ointment was prescribed to see if that helps. The conjunctiva in right eye was bright pink and seemed swollen. His breath has gotten really nasty over the last few days. Vet said his gums have grown over teeth in the back, not just his front bottom teeth. She noted some irritation in his cheeks so she thought maybe he was accidentally biting them when chewing. So no diagnosis, just pinch hitting right now. When she numbed his eyes, he did open them after a few minutes. But that must’ve worn off after an hour because he squinted again. He’ll have a follow up next week.

On a similar topic of overgrown gums, I told her my SIL, a dental hygienist, said overgrown gums are seen in mouth breathers, snorers. Well, that’s Pork. My vet said that she sees this mostly in bulldogs and boxers but said she wasn’t aware of any animal studies that would link mouth breathing with overgrown gums. Maybe a vet school should do a study!

Hoping the ointment does the trick....


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