Entorpion is a condition that can affect different species of animals, such as dogs, horses and cats. However, it is important to note that cats are shy animals that usually take cover when they start to feel bad and, many times, when we detect that something is happening, it is already quite advanced.
Paying attention to our feline on a daily basis and ensuring good facial hygiene will help us detect any problem promptly.
However, if you suspect that your cat may suffer from entorpion, in this article on our site we will help you by explaining what is entropion in cats - causes and treatmentsso you can act on time.
What is entropion and why does it occur?
Firstly, it is important to note that when we talk about entropion we must differentiate it from ectropion that despite only differing by one letter, in the practice, it is much more than that:
Entropion occurs when the upper or lower eyelid rolls or folds inward on the eye. Unlike ectropion, in which the direction is out. The latter is very common in dogs such as the boxer or the basset hound, where the solution is a small and quick suture and, as it is more of an aesthetic problem than anything else, it is not as urgent as in the case of entropion.
Entropion can occur in several ways:
- Spastic entropion is due to prolonged eye pain due to foreign bodies in the cornea, chronic conjunctivitis, ulcers or keratitis, diseases for those who often keep their eyes closed.
- Secondary or scarring entropion appears after conjunctival injuries or diseases.
- In hereditary causes It is usually bilateral, that is, it occurs in both eyes, but it is very rare in cats and, Being congenital, it usually affects young cats. If we have to name any breed, remembering that this cause is very rare in domestic felines, we must say that the Persian is the one that registers the most cases, and especially, in its lower eyelid.
Symptoms of entropion
The rubbing of the eyelashes and the hairs on the cornea will cause an injury to the cornea if not treated in time. We can go from a keratitis to a corneal ulcer if we don't act quickly. When we detect any of these or several symptoms, we should go to our veterinarian for a check-up and thus begin treatment:
- Inversion of one or both eyelids
- Hair loss in the area of contact with the cornea
- Excessive tearing
- Mucopurulent discharge from the eye
- Hooked Eyes
- Photophobia (prefers the dark)
- Cornea vascularization
We can also observe the appearance of blepharospasm, which is an almost involuntary constant opening and closing, reflecting discomfort or pain.
Diagnosis
For a correct diagnosis we must go to our veterinarian who will assess the severity and damage to date. In general, only a simple observation is enough, but sometimes a few drops of proparacaine (local anesthetic) must be placed to be able to see the eye correctly without pain.
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Entropion treatments
If we are facing a congenital or hereditary entropion in a small cat, the only thing we can do is protect the cornea with lubricants to avoid lesions and thus wait for the growth of the head to finish.
In case of a secondary entropion we can treat other eye problems that are present at the time and that for that reason occur the entropion. They can be conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis, etc. and resolving the primary pathology will only return to normality.
The surgical solution is always present and in cases where it started as secondary and did not return to normal with treatment, it should also be considered. The technique is very simple and fast, it will depend on the veterinarian who takes the case to do it himself or you may need a veterinary ophthalmologist to help you.
