Entropion in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Puppies
Entropion in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Puppies
Entropion in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Puppies is an inward rolling of the eyelid edges and is common to the breed. The severity of the entropion is in direct correlation to the amount of skin and wrinkles covering your bulldog puppy head/face region, as well as the weight of the folds.
ULCER: The inward eyelid folds and related eyelashes will often rub your bulldog puppy cornea, which creates a painful wound (ulcer).
This corneal wound can be detected by placing a fluorescent dye on the cornea and then viewing the wound uptake with ultraviolet light. In a mature bulldog and French Bulldog, a surgical procedure is required to remove a narrow segment of skin from under the eyelid with stitches used to revert the eyelid to a normal position.
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Entropion Bulldog Maintenance:
Entropion surgery on a bulldog by Dr. Kraemer (repairing top eyelid)
In Bulldogs the excessive skin folds around the eye area can cause skin fold dermatitis, a skin condition that can make your bulldog and french bulldog puppy itchy, and cause him to want to rub his face near the eye. This rubbing can lead to unwanted trauma to the cornea, resulting in injury. Thus, keeping the facial fold dry and clean with wipes like our V4B Skin Fold Wipe w/PS can help to protect both your bully’s skin and eyes.
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Entropion Bulldog Rule of Thumb:
Entropion in bulldogs can begin as a sudden squinting combined with red, teary eyes are often an indication of an emerging corneal ulcer, and should be considered an emergency. I recommend you seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Entropion Bulldog Tips & Warnings
Entropion inverted eyelid surgery on a bulldog by Dr. Kraemer (repairing bottom eyelid)
Entropion in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Puppies Tip #1: Entropion in bulldogs and French Bulldogs can happen at any age. in order to avoid the risk associated with anesthesia in young bulldogs puppies, I will typically delay the surgical correction until the dog is more fully grown. Instead, I will place temporary suture with only light sedation to evert the eyelids as a temporary fix.
Entropion in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Puppies Tip #2: Most times both eyes are affected either simultaneously or one shortly after the other. Thus, I often correct the opposite side as a preventative measure while repairing the injured side. Doing so eliminates the risk of a second anesthetic necessity and is less costly.
Entropion in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Puppies Warning #1: Injury to the cornea due to entropion can lead to partial or complete loss of vision.
Entropion in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Puppies Warning #2: Place a buster collar on the head as soon as you become aware of an eye lid, entropion or an corneal problem. The pain of the ulcerated cornea can lead to pawing and rubbing, inflicting additional trauma.
*This guide was compiled courtesy of Dr. Kraemer, a “must read” for any current or future bulldog owner.