Entropion in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: PDSA, Science for Animal Welfare (UFAW), Genetic Welfare Problems of Companion Animals

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Entropion is when a dog's eyelid rolls inwards and rubs the surface of the eye.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid or eyelids roll inwards and rub the surface of the eye.^[1] Dogs with entropion nearly always require an operation to correct their eyelids.^[1]

Signs

Weepy eyes
Closing eyes
Red eyes
Rubbing the face
Frequent bouts of conjunctivitis
Recurring eye infections
Frequent eye ulcers

Causes and risk factors

Saint Bernard
Shar-Pei
Bulldog
Pug
Cocker Spaniel

How vets treat it

Surgery
Antibiotics
Anti-inflammatories
Pain relief
Eye drops or ointment
Medication

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Dogs with entropion nearly always require an operation to correct their eyelids. The procedure involves removing skin from above or below the eyelid to evert it and stop it turning inwards.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

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Common questions

What is entropion in dogs?

Entropion is a condition that causes the eyelid or eyelids to roll inwards and rub the surface of the eye.^[1]

What signs can entropion cause?

Signs can include weepy eyes, closing eyes, red eyes, rubbing the face, frequent bouts of conjunctivitis, recurring eye infections and frequent eye ulcers.^[1]

How may a vet treat entropion?

Dogs with entropion nearly always require an operation to correct their eyelids.^[1]

Sources

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages