WET EYES

Below you will find the most common answers to the most common questions about wet eyes and a few simple facts about entropion. Majesty Chows makes no promise or hold any responsible and we do not claim to be a veterinarian.  We are only sharing what has worked for us and what we have learned over the years through trial and error, medical advice & recommendations from veterinarians and also from more experienced chow breeders and what has worked also for them.

1) When a chow has wet eyes does it always mean it has entropion?
The answer is no.  Please read on and find out why and treatments and why treatment early is so important.

2) Can entropion ever be stopped after it already has started?
The answer is yes.  Please keep reading and find out how & why.

3) What does it mean when a chow has wet eyes?
The answer to that question has a few answers. Read more and find out all the reasons why.

 The most common reasons why a chow has wet eyes -

• Conjunctivitis - inflammation of the inner lids and tear glands.
   
• Irritants - dust, air pollutants such as chemicals, pesticide and some cleaners can irritate the eyes which causes squinting and or damage to the dogs eyes.  When a chow has irritated eyes it causes weeping or wetness that can lead to more serious eye problems.
   
• Allergies - which is part of the irritant category.  Things such as straw, wood chips, climate changes, plants and trees that your chow could be allergic too.
   
• Entropion - one of the signs of this problem is tearing. Tearing from allergies or irritants can make the dogs lid start to curl and lasting entropion can start and stay if not treated.

Chows with any of the above aliments & left untreated that has constant wet eyes can lead to entropion where it could have been avoided.  Treatment for wet eyes no matter the cause is the eye ointment. 
I prefer the Rx ointment (Neobacimyx) that can be purchased from licensed veterinarians. The other option is which works mostly the same is (Terramycin) and can be purchased at most feed stores that carry farm and pet supplies which is close to the same.

These ointments also are great to clear up eye infections which are common with the wet eyes.

Directions for the ointment we recommend are:

Pull back the bottom lid and apply a thin line directly in the eye. Each need can vary from applying once a day, twice a day to only 3 times a week for a couple of weeks.  It will be apparent to you what your need will be.

If the Chow has gotten dust or other irritants in the eyes we rinse the eyes with contact lens cleaner/saline solution before applying the ointment.

 Entropion commonly can be stopped if treated early -

• Using the ointment - can eliminate entropion in many cases. The success of stopping the entropion depends on the reason your chow has it.  Sometimes if it is a strong genetic inheritance you can only use the ointment and help it from getting worse and to bring some relief to your chow. 
  In most cases wet eyes is caused from sensitivities and this causes the entropion to start and not inherited therefore success with the treatment is much greater and in most cases can be completely eliminated.

Another fact to keep in mind while deciding how to treat your chow is -

• Some veterinarians are quick to recommend surgery.  Whether they make this recommendation from a lack of knowledge about chows and first hand experience with entropion or entropion with chows? Some veterinarians recommend the surgery to keep their business lucrative or their gain to refer to other veterinarians that perform the surgery.
   
• Other facts to consider before deciding to have the eye surgery. Finding the right doctor is a must. Many doctors will want to perform the eyes surgery while the chow is too young.  When the surgery is done on a young chow it can either need to be done again or leave the eyes looking severely droopy.  The chow must be completely matured and developed first and hopefully ointment treatment was given a fair chance.
   
• Also when some Chows/dogs have wet tearing eyes it also can be temporary during stress such as car rides, whelping or change in schedule or routine.

Please keep in mind the sensitivity with Chows to anesthetic. For more information click this link SURGERY

Other facts about entropion.

When eyelids turn inward, they allow the dog's eyelashes to rub against the eye causing irritation, excessive tearing and pain.  Left untreated, this irritation can cause infections and painful ulcers on the surface of the eye that lead to blindness.

Entropion that is caused by a temporary eye irritation can sometimes be relieved or eliminated by using appropriate medication prescribed by your veterinarian or using over the counter eye ointment.  In some cases, though, entropion needs to be corrected surgically.

Entropion that requires surgery can crop up when the parents, grandparents and even past great grandparents were entropion free.

Baby puppies with entropion commonly outgrow the condition so experienced veterinarians prefer to delay surgery until the puppy reaches adolescence.  You should not neglect the puppy's eyes, though, while hoping the problem will go away! Treatment Treatment Treatment - Please give it a try!

Commonly a large majority of breeders do not guarantee the puppies eyes because the breeder has no control of the care of the puppies eyes once it leaves.

Updated 08/15/2007

© 2003-Present/ Majesty Chows