Entropion: A Painful and Potentially Blinding
Inherited
Disease for Cavaliers
Cavaliers have a relatively high incidence of entropion, a painful and potentially blinding inherited disease. It usually develops within a few months of birth. Entropion is an inward rolling of the eyelid edges. It most often affects the lower eyelid of one or both eyes. The hair on the affected lid continuously rubs against the cornea and can cause significant discomfort and trauma to the cornea.
Studies have concluded that brachycephalic dogs may be predisposed to this condition.
All CKCSs should be examined at least annually by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. They are listed on this webpage of the website of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO).
Treatment
Entropion cannot be corrected by medical therapy, apart medication for resulting corneal ulcers. Surgical correction is always necessary. Based on the severity of the entropion and age of the Cavalier, different surgical techniques may be used.
Breeders' Responsibilities
The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (C.E.R.F.) advises that entropion is a painful and potentially blinding disease and therefore affected dogs in several breeds which have a higher incidence of entropion than do Cavaliers are denied certification. Currently, C.E.R.F. does not deny certification to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels which are affected with entropion, because the Genetics Committee of the ACVO classifies the disorder as a "breeder option" for CKCSs.
However, Cavaliers affected with entropion should not be bred to each other. Any littermates of breeding stock having entropion should be taken into consideration. All Cavalier breeding stock should be examined by board certified veterinary ophthalmologists to determine if the dogs are affected with entropion.
Related Links
Eyes
Brachycephalic Airway
Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)
Questions for
Breeders
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Veterinary Resources
Ocular Disorders Presumed to be Inherited in Purebred Dogs. A.C.V.O. 1999.
Control of Canine Genetic Diseases. Padgett, G.A., Howell Book House 1998, pp. 198-199, 240.
Guide to Congenital and Heritable Disorders in Dogs. Dodds WJ, Hall S, Inks K, A.V.A.R., Jan 2004, Section II(103).
Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs & Cats. Alex Gough, Alison Thomas. 2004; Blackwell Publ. 44-45.
Ophthalmic Disease in Veterinary Medicine. Martin C.L. Manson Publ. 2005.
Canine Inherited Disorders Database: http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/ocular%20disorders/entropion.htm
