German Shepherd pup eye problem, HELP!!

[kitkat3478]

I have a shepherd pup that is 2 months old. He is a real nice little dog, here's the problem, He has hair growing on his inner eyelid. Not just a few hairs either. They don't seem to be rubbing in his eye, but they are definately out of place. Do I try to get them removed or just leave them alone. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

[Dobified]

What is up with the loin ?


Only the vet can help you with this. Take your dog in and see what he says.

[AussiesCollies]

I agree with Dobified. Call your vet.

[Aria]

I agree with what they are saying, definatly a vet thing, and more than likley they will want to take that hair off the eyelid so that it doesn't cause ulders to form when they constantly rub it.

[rutylr]

Could be entropion

Entropion is a genetically based disease of the eyelid. It is common in Basset Hounds and
other wrinkled face dogs. Short snouted dogs like Pugs can also be victims. Dogs with entropion
have eyelids that "roll in" or invert. Both the upper and lower eyelid can be affected, but it
is most common on the lower. Ectropion, having eyelids that "roll out," is the opposite
condition to entropion. It is not unknown for a dog to have one eyelid with entropion, and
one with ectropion -- on the same eye!

Entropion can be very serious in some dogs, even causing corneal ulcers. These dogs are
also in a lot of pain. Some can suffer vision loss. Mildly affected animals don't appear to be in
pain, and in fact, if the dog has a very wrinkled face, you might not even notice the condition.
Usually, however it causes tearing of the eye, blinking, and head rubbing. After all, the
hairs of the eyes are rubbing across the surface of the eye, and that doesn't sound very
comfortable.

Treatment nearly always involves a simple surgical procedure. The doctor will take out a
bit of tissue near the affected eyelid; then stitch it back together in a "mattress stitch."
Removing the correct amount is critical. If the vet takes out too much, the dog
can acquire ectropion. In a few cases, where the skin is extremely wrinkled, several surgeries
may be required! The good news is that your afflicted dog probably doesn't need to see
a veterinary ophthalmologist. Most general practitioners are equipped to deal with this
common surgery. In fact, your dog can probably have the surgery as an outpatient! The
dog will need general anesthesia, however.

[GermanShepherds]

My German Shepherd Dakota had entropion where the inner eyelid rolled in and caused the hairs to rub against his eye. It will take a surgery. So the vet can take extra skin out of his face and pin it back then sue it up.

[kitkat3478]

The lion is Kitty-Kat. She was a member of the family. I breed German Shepherds, my kennel is Big Cat Kennel. I thank everyone who responded to me. I am going to take my pup to the vet, I just would like to be a little educated on what the eye problem is and any and all solutions to it. The pup is 8 weeks old, I want to let him get a little older before he gets any surgery. So far, the hairs don't seem to be bothering him at all. None of his 8 brothers and sisters have this problem, nor have I ever had a pup with this problem before. Some vets like to charge you extra if you don't know what your dealing with. I vaccinate and worm all my pups myself. I just, like I said, like to know as much about this problem as possible before I go to the vet. AGAIN, thanks

[sheplovr]

Honey since this is NOT a German Shepherd gene trait I am not that familar with it, so looked it up and genetic as usual if only one if a dozen in a litter, comes along genetically.



What is entropion?

Entropion is the inward rolling of the eyelid, most commonly the lower lid. This irritates the surface of the eye (the cornea) and may ultimately cause visual impairment.

Entropion is a common hereditary disorder in dogs. Selection for a particular conformation, of exaggerated facial features with prominent eyes and/or heavy facial folds, has created or worsened this problem in many breeds.

How is entropion inherited?

It is likely that ectropion is influenced by several genes (polygenic inheritance)that affect the skin and other structures that make up the eyelids, the way the skin covers the face and head, and the conformation of the skull.

What breeds are affected by entropion?

This problem occurs in many breeds. It is particularly severe in the mastiff, bullmastiff, Shar pei, and chow chow.

Entropion is seen in the Akita, American Staffordshire terrier, Pekingese, bulldog, pomeranian, pug, Japanese chin, Shih tzu, Yorkshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, dalmatian, old English sheepdog, rottweiler, Siberian husky, vizsla, weimaraner, toy and miniature poodle. It is also seen in hounds ( basset hound, bloodhound), spaniels ( Clumber spaniel, English and American cocker spaniel, English springer spaniel, English toy spaniel, Tibetan spaniel), and sporting breeds (Chesapeake Bay retriever, flat-coated retriever, golden retriever, Gordon setter, Irish setter, Labrador retriever).

Entropion is common in giant breeds such as the Great Dane, Bernese mountain dog, mastiff, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Pyrenees. In these breeds the central lower lid is often ectropic while the lid at the corners of the eye is entropic.

For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.

What does entropion mean to your dog & you?

The problem is usually evident before a year of age. Discomfort from entropion will cause increased tearing and squinting. Your dog may be sensitive to light and may rub at its eyes. Chronic irritation by the turned-in eyelid may cause corneal ulceration and scarring which is painful and, if not corrected, can impair vision.

Dogs who have had surgical correction for a defect such as entropion may not be exhibited in the show ring.

How is entropion diagnosed?

The inrolling of the eyelid is readily apparent. Generally both eyes are affected. Depending on the degree of corneal irritation and the duration, there will be other signs such as those mentioned above. Your veterinarian will evaluate the degree of entropion and use flourescein dye to determine if there is any corneal ulceration.

FOR THE VETERINARIAN: The use of topical ophthalmic anaesthetic to anaesthetize the cornea and conjunctiva will enable eliminatation of the spastic component of the entropion in order to better evaluate the anatomic component. This is important before surgery is performed.

How is entropion treated?

Entropion is corrected surgically. If possible it is best to delay surgery until the dog is an adult since the involved facial structures are still growing and changing.

More than 1 operation may be required. It is better to correct the entropion conservatively and repeat the operation later if necessary, than to overcorrect causing ectropion. In breeds such as the chow chow that have particularly severe entropion related to heavy facial folds, several surgeries may be required.

Breeding advice

Entropion is one of the eye conditions that is a result of selection by breeders and a demand by the public for such features as excessively prominent eyes and heavy facial folds. A responsible breeding programme will choose animals for breeding with a more normal head conformation, so as to select away from these exaggerated facial features and the problems associated with them.

The Vizsla Club of America has recognized entropion as an unacceptable problem in their breed, and advises breeders not to breed affected animals. Such leadership by breed clubs is important in discouraging this and other undesirable traits.


ALERT YOUR BREEDER AND THEY SHOULD PAY AT LEAST HALF THE VET EXPENSE SINCE IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT NOR THE DOGS. IF IT HAPPENED TO ONE OF MY PUPS I WOULD GLADLY FOOT HALF THE BILL IF NOT ALL OF IT SINCE IT IS GENETIC, NO MATTER HOW MANY IN A LITTER HAS IT ALERT THE BREEDER SO THEY STOP BREEDING THE ONE THAT IS THROWING THIS DISEASE. WHY KEEP PASSING IT ON IT WILL GROW UNTIL AN ENTIRE LITTER HAS IT. GOD BLESS.