Entropion Surgery for Dogs & Cats - Melbourne Eye Specialist Vet
Expert eyelid surgery to stop painful eye irritation in pets. Over 600 successful procedures performed by our veterinary team
What is Entropion in Pets?
Entropion is the inversion of part or all of an eyelid, and can involve upper or lower lids, or both. It is common in dogs, but only seen occasionally in cats. When the eyelid rolls inward, eyelashes and hair of the eyelid irritate the cornea (front clear part of the eye), causing significant discomfort and potential vision problems. There are two types of Entropion.
Primary Entropion
Primary Entropion: Typically affects breeds common in Australia such as Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, British Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Persian or Himalayan cats. Usually identified in young animals under one year old.
Secondary Entropion
Occurs due to underlying eye irritations, such as infections, foreign bodies, or conjunctivitis, causing eyelid spasms and inward rolling.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on severity and underlying cause:
Non-Surgical Treatments
Mild cases or secondary entropion may be managed with eye lubricants, medical treatment for underlying conditions, and temporary eyelid tacking in young animals.
Surgical Treatments
Surgical correction (blepharoplasty) is the permanent solution. The procedure involves carefully removing excess skin to reposition the eyelid correctly. Precision surgery helps avoid complications such as over-correction.
Fixed Price Entropion Surgery
Single eye surgery starts from $1,200
Both eyes typically range from $1,800 – $2,400
The above cost includes:
- Your pet’s health check
- General anaesthetic and monitoring
- Pre-surgery diagnostics
- Surgery and post-op care
- Medications for home
Factors that influence the surgery cost:
- The complexity of the surgery
- Whether it’s upper, lower, or both lids
Additional prices that may apply:
- Revisit consult with vet: $70
- Pre-GA blood test $185
- Revisit consult with vet $50
- Labortatory Tests (blood, culture etc)
- Infections of any kind
Why Choose Animal Surgery Centre?
- Dr Jas has over 21 years of experience as a vet.
- Dr Jas has performed over 600+ entropion surgeries.
- Quality care at affordable prices.
- Advanced equipment and surgical techniques
- Proven track record and exceptional patient outcomes
The Surgical Process
Pre-Surgery Evaluation
- Assessment of eyelid position and corneal health
- Check for underlying causes (especially in young pets)
- Optional pre-Ga blood test available
Day of Surgery
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and lasts 20 to 45 minutes depending on severity and whether one or both eyes are affected.
- Precise measurement of skin to be removed
- Small elliptical wedge of skin and fur removed near the eyelid margin
- Careful suturing to achieve normal eyelid position
- Most pets can go home the same day
Post-Operative Care
- E-collar worn continuously for 14 days
- Pain medication as prescribed
- Antibiotic eye ointment application
- Activity restriction
Recovery Timeline
Days 1-3
- Maximum swelling occurs within 24 hours
- Swelling and redness begin to subside after 48-72 hours
- E-collar worn continuously
Until to 2 Weeks
- Recovery starts in second week
- Post-op recheck
- Gradual return to normal activities
- E-collar is still required to be worn
- E-collar is still required to be worn
Week 2 to 4
- Swelling should completly subside within two to four weeks
- Incision healed
- Clear vision restored
Further Readings:
Risks and Complications
Risks and Complications of Entropion Surgery
Entropion surgery is safe and commonly performed, but all surgery carries some risk. Here's what to be aware of:
- Anaesthesia: Modern anaesthesia is very safe. We assess your pet beforehand and monitor them closely. Complications are rare but can include breathing issues or, in very rare cases, serious events.
- Infection: Slight risk at the incision site. Prevented with antibiotics and strict use of the E-collar. Signs include swelling, redness, heat, or pus. Most infections are mild and managed easily if post-op care is followed.
- Swelling/Irritation: Mild swelling is normal. Occasionally, pets may develop excess swelling or a small lump near the incision. These usually settle with time or warm compresses.
- Corneal Ulcers: Existing ulcers can worsen if the pet rubs the eye. Following home care and using prescribed drops helps prevent this. In most cases, surgery promotes healing.
- Under-correction/Recurrence: Sometimes we under-correct severe cases (especially in breeds like Shar-Peis) to avoid over-correction. A second minor surgery might be needed later, but most pets don’t need this.
- Ectropion (Over-correction): Rolling the eyelid outward is rare but possible if too much skin is removed. We correct conservatively to avoid this. If it occurs, it can often be left alone or revised with a small procedure.
- Scarring: The incision usually heals as a fine, barely visible line. Rarely, scarring may affect eyelid position or hair direction, which can be corrected if needed.
Most pets recover smoothly with proper care. We’ll walk you through all of this before surgery, and your follow-up visits help us ensure healing is on track.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms of Entropion
Pets with entropion often show signs of eye discomfort. Watch for:
- Excessive tearing – constant tear overflow down the face, sometimes irritating the skin.
- Squinting or blinking – affected eye may be partly or fully closed due to pain.
- Redness/swelling – the eye and eyelids may look inflamed; pets may paw at the area.
- Eye discharge – thick mucus or pus may appear; clear tears can turn yellow/green with infection.
- Corneal damage – friction can cause ulcers, scarring, or a cloudy/blue cornea. Long-term cases may show dark pigment buildup or visible blood vessels.
- Behaviour changes – pets in pain may become less active, avoid light, or seem irritable. Flat-faced breeds might not show obvious signs, so check for redness or tear stains.
See a vet if symptoms last more than a day or two. Entropion can quickly lead to ulcers or, in severe cases, eye rupture. Early treatment prevents long-term damage and relieves discomfort.
Home Care After Surgery
Recovery and Home Care After Entropion Surgery
Pets generally recover well from entropion surgery, but the first few days are crucial. Follow these care steps to ensure smooth healing:
- Medications: Give all prescribed meds as directed—usually antibiotic eye drops/ointment and pain relief. If there was an ulcer or infection, an oral antibiotic may also be included. Finish the full course even if the eye looks better.
- Elizabethan Collar: The cone must stay on 24/7 until sutures are removed (usually 10–14 days). Removing it risks serious damage. If the hard cone is a problem, ask us about softer alternatives.
- Activity Restriction: Limit activity for a week—no running, rough play, or off-leash time. Short leash walks are okay. Resume normal activity only once cleared by your vet.
- Eye Cleaning: Gently wipe away discharge with a damp cotton ball. Don’t touch sutures or apply anything unless prescribed. Contact us if you notice heavy discharge, bleeding, or bad smell.
- Monitor Healing: Mild swelling and redness are normal and may peak 24 hours post-op. Bruising can happen. Call us if swelling worsens, stitches come out, or if there’s thick yellow/green discharge.
- No Baths/Swimming: Keep the face dry until sutures are out. No bathing or swimming for at least 2 weeks.
- Follow-Up Visit: Attend the recheck 10–14 days post-op. We’ll assess healing, remove sutures (if not dissolvable), and advise when the cone can come off. Most pets don’t need further treatment.
Most pets feel much better once healed. Follow these steps, and your dog will be back to normal in no time.