Surgical correction of bilateral combined entropion-ectropion in a femele bloodhound.

Abstract

A four year-old female bloodhound dog was brought to the clinic in May 2001 with a history of prolonged tearing. Clinical examination revealed voluminous upper lid in both eyes. Bilateral entropion-ectropion was diagnosed together with bilateral protrusion of the third eye lid. The vision of the dog was very poor due to this condition. Chloramphenicol eye ointment had been used over a period of two months to relieve the constant irritation on the cornea. However the response had been unsatisfactory.

To correct the condition, surgery was performed on three days at 10 day intervals. On all three occasions intra muscular chlorpromazine hydrochloride pre-medication and intravenous sodium thiopentone general aesthesia was used. Gentamycin eye ointment was applied on both eyes and long acting penicillin intramuscular injection was given. Subcutaneous tissues were never sutured. The skin was sutured using a nylon suture material.

First, ectropion of lower eyelid of the right eye was corrected by removing a 'V' shaped triangular flap from the lower lid, which included the lid margin. The length of the lid margin that was included in the incision was about 0.75 em and the vertical length of incision was about 1.5cm. In 10 days time, the condition had improved on the lower lid of the right eye, wound healing was satisfactory and therefore, skin sutures were removed. Secondly, entropion of the upper eyelid of the right eye was corrected by removing a half moon shaped flap of skin, extending from medial to lateral side of the eye. The width of the incision was about 1.5 em and tapered on both sides, approximately 3em above the upper lid margin. The condition of right eye had improved and sutures were removed. Thirdly, both the above operations were repeated on the left eye. The patient was not hospitalised and the condition improved in 40 days time. The wounds also healed and from the behaviour of the animal it was found that the vision of the dog had also improved.