How Much Does Entropion Surgery for Dogs Cost?
Entropion has been documented in many dog breeds such as the Pug, Chow Chow and Saint Bernard. Usually present by the age of six or eight months, this common condition can cause problems to the eye that may lead to an eye removal. This disease will cause the eyelids to roll inward, which can then lead to pain and swelling in the eyes because of the scraping of the eyelashes against the eyeballs. The cost of the surgery will vary depending on the severity of the surgery, the vet, and where you live.
Entropion will usually happen to the lower eyelid, all or a portion of the eyelid folds, and it can either happen in both or one eye only. Eventually, if it were left untreated, it could cause painful corneal ulcers, which could lead to a loss of vision, scarring or even blindness.
How much does it cost for entropion surgery?
On average, the procedure is going to vary anywhere from $200 to as much as $1,500 depending on the situation. A general vet will usually cost about $350 to $550, while an ophthalmologist could charge $500 to $1,500.
According to EmbracePetInsurance.com, the costs can be anywhere from $300 to as much as $1,500.
A forum member on Basset.net claimed that a vet said it would cost anywhere from $600 to $800.
Entropion surgery overview
In most cases, your veterinarian should be able to perform the procedure; however, in some complex cases, an ophthalmologist may be required.
Before your vet even considers the procedure, he or she will first administer local anesthetic eye drops and will perform a basic eye exam. If the vet notices any abrasions or ulcers inside the cornea, then they may perform what’s known as a fluorescient test, a test where a drop is placed on the cornea, and these drops will adhere to any present damage.
An entropion involves the eyelashes rubbing the eye because the lower lid does not have any lashes. With a number of surgical corrections out there, a vet will generally remove a tiny strip of the skin and muscle near the affected portion of the eyelid, and from there, they will suture the skin while your pet is under a general anesthesia. Other techniques include tightening the lower eyelid, but the problem with this is that many have seen this procedure as ineffective. It will come down to your vet and your preferences as to which treatment will work for your pet.
What are the extra costs?
After the surgery has been performed, medication will be prescribed for up to four weeks. This is generally a simple painkiller to help your animal relax during the recovery process. It should take upwards of three weeks for a full recovery.
The vet will most likely want a few follow-up visits a few weeks after the surgery to make sure your pet is healing correctly. During this time, your vet will continue to take an eye exam to track the progress. This may or may not be included in the estimates your vet provides.
Tips to know:
Common symptoms may include red eyes, inflammation near the eye, squinting, tearing, eye discharge, ulcers or a depressed-like state.
If a dog has been diagnosed with this type of condition, do not attempt to breed the dog. Breeding the dog will only lead to problems down the road with new litters since it is usually a genetic trait.
If you are finding that your dog or cat is constantly itching its eyes, you may want to consider switching its food. Low-grade foods can often lead to excessive scratching, and many owners often think that their animal has this type of condition, but in reality, your pet is suffering from a small allergic reaction.
This type of condition tends to be very popular with breeds such as the Akita, Pekingese, English Bulldog, Pomeranian, Pug, English bulldog, Labradors, Irish Setters and the Great Dane.
Oftentimes, this condition does not appear alone. In fact, nine times out of 10, it can occur with other eye diseases.
How can I save money?
Call a few different vets in your area to see what they charge. As long as you know for certain this is the procedure your pet requires, most offices will be able to give you a ballpark quote over the phone if you simply tell them the type of animal and the extent of the condition.
While you may think that your dog has this type of disease, this is not always the case. By consulting with the vet, you may find that there are other affordable options out there you can take advantage.
To prevent large bills in the future, consider signing up for a pet insurance policy. Some can be very affordable and can save the headache of a major bill. See: “How much does pet insurance cost?“. Even though pet insurance will cost a monthly or yearly premium, it can also save you a lot of money if something major happens to your pet.
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Average Reported Cost: $537.5
How much did you spend?
- Mary (El Paso, Texas) paid $407 and said:
I had Entropion done on my 13 month old female bear coat shar pei. It was a total of $407 . She has recovered well, money well spent for her health!
Was it worth it? Yes
- toni orionsantini (peralta, New Mexico) paid $668 and said:
At a shot clinic, the vet noticed the dog’s eye and said to come see him. that it was a fairly simple and inexpensive procedure. At the presurgery exam, the Dr said that it would cost $250 with the take-home meds adding close to $100. On the day of surgery, the paperwork stated $460 plus $100 take home meds, and then another $108 in misc charges.
Was it worth it? Yes
