How Much Does Entropion Surgery Cost for Dogs?

Entropion surgery in dogs can cost between $500-$2,000⁽²⁾, depending on the case's severity and other factors. There may be some additional costs involved as well, including blood work, anesthesia charges, and prescription medications. 

We’ll discuss the cost breakup in detail, but we feel it is important for you to understand the condition, causes, symptoms and treatment options. We will also discuss a great way to to help get reimbursed on eligible expenses related to its treatment. 

Read More: Dog Surgery Costs

How Much Does Entropion Surgery Cost in Dogs?

The cost of the surgery highly depends on who is doing the surgery and where. If you’ve gone to a general vet, the cost may be around $300-$500. But if you opt for a vet surgeon or an ophthalmologist, the cost may be higher at around $500-$1,500. Some expert vet surgeons may even charge up to $2,000. ⁽²⁾

Apart from that, if the dog has other health conditions like liver disease or heart disease, the overall cost could go higher because the complexity of the case goes higher. This is because the surgery is performed under general anesthesia and having other medical conditions can make administering anesthesia difficult. 

Additional Costs 

Apart from the main surgery itself, you will have to budget for some additional expenses related to treating entropion in dogs. These include follow-up vet visits, medications, and even a chance of a repeat surgery in case the first one is not 100% successful. 

After the surgery, the dog’s affected eyelid may be swollen for 2-4 weeks, sometimes even up to 6 weeks. Once the inflammation is completely gone, you will be able to determine the true result of the surgery. 

Don’t start worrying about the costs already. We have a solution that can help with them. 

What is Entropion in Dogs? 

Entropion is an eye condition in dogs that causes their eyelids to roll inwards instead of sitting normally. What this does is cause the fur and eyelashes to rub against the eye, which indeed causes redness and irritation. Imagine a piece of dust constantly scratching your eye. It cannot just be uncomfortable but also painful. 

It is not really considered a medical emergency for which you need to run the vet immediately. But, with time, it can even cause damage to the surface of the eye. So, it’s always better to show it to the vet and start the treatment. ⁽¹⁾

The exact opposite of this condition can also happen in dogs – an eyelid rolled outward. It usually happens on the lower eyelid. In this, the pink tissue that lines the inner eyelid is exposed. This tissue can even dry out in some cases, causing inflammation and potential scarring of the cornea. 

Signs of Entropion in a Dog

 The signs that your dog might have entropion include – ⁽¹⁾

If you see any of the above, it is advised that you contact your vet for diagnosis. It can be entropion or any other serious condition like cataracts. 

The next obvious question that you may have would be what causes entropion in dogs in the first place.

What Causes Entropion in Dogs?

Hereditary - It is one of the most common reasons for a dog to develop entropion. It is quite unfortunate as you can’t do anything to prevent it. It is most seen in dogs aged under a year. Certain breeds are more prone to this condition. They include – ⁽¹⁾

In some cases, rather rare, entropion can develop due to something irritating the eye. Corneal ulcers, for example, can lead to spasms of the eyelid, which can indeed result in entropion. Old injuries can also lead to entropion in some cases. 

Why Surgery is the Best Option for Treating Entropion? 

Because your dog deserves to blink without pain and drama. Surgery addresses the underlying issue by repositioning the eyelid. It provides a permanent solution by physically repositioning the eyelid to its correct alignment. This prevents the eyelashes from rubbing against the cornea, hence preventing irritation, discomfort, and potential corneal damage. ⁽³⁾

There are multiple surgery options available for entropion in dogs. The most common one is the Hotz-Celsus procedure. In this, the vet removes a sliver of the skin and then sutures the sides of the skin back together. This pulls the eyelid out of the inverted state. 

There is a slight chance that this method could result in an ectropion because the vet may end up removing too much skin the first time. If this happens, the dog may need another minor surgery. In most cases though, the vet prefers removing too little skin as more can be removed if needed later. 

And now for the main question for which you’ve had the patience to read till now – 

How to Get Reimbursed on the Cost of Entropion Surgery in Dogs?

Pet health insurance! If you have insured your pet for accidents and illnesses, you may be able to get reimbursed up to 90% of the costs related to entropion surgery for your dog. It is important to note that the condition cannot be a pre-existing one at the time of you buying the policy and it shouldn’t develop during the waiting period (usually 14 days) of the policy. 

With Spot Pet Insurance, you can not only be able to get reimbursed up to 90% of the surgery cost but also other eligible attached costs like medications, follow-up visits, alternate therapies, specialist visit, and more. 

More About Spot Pet Insurance 

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.