My senior dog's eyes are droopy. Is ectropion new or age-related?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | spayed | 10 years and 3 months old | 19 lbs
My 10yr old cavalier King Charles spaniel has ectropion of both eyes along with drooping of the upper eyelids as well. Her eyes almost don’t open at all at times. Since ectropion is genetic wouldn’t she have had this her whole life and not just a new symptom within the last month?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 16th, 2017
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Lexi is such a cute girl! Ectropion is a condition that typically affects the lower eyelid. It causes the lower eye lids to droop down, exposing the conjunctiva (or the pink part inside the eye) and causing chronic exposure to the outside and thus inflammation and irritation. While there is a genetic predisposition, this only means that the condition can develop at some point. Congenital conditions are also genetically linked, but occur at birth or shortly after. Ectropion in dogs, just like in people, gets worse with age as the muscles in the face get weaker and the eye lids droop down. From Lexi's photo, I can see that she does have droopy eye lids, but I cannot see the lower ones. This condition can be corrected with surgery, similar to an eye lift in people. To keep Lexi more comfortable, you can apply artificial tears or lubricating drops to keep her eyes moist. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My older beagle/basset started having just one lower lid droop - it’s a bottom lid AND the bottom membrane around her eyeball which are drooping. Nothing is red or swollen, and it doesn’t seem to irritate her. It’s a little beyond the normal beagle e
My dog has these dark creases under her eye that have been there since we got her. They make her look sleepy.
My dog’s right eye seems droopy & as if the eyeball is being pushed sideways toward the outer edge of her face. She’s starting to keep it closed sometimes. Should I be worried about a tumor or something?
My Cocker x Beagle often has a red left eye and his bottom eyelid is dropped more than his right. It doesn't seem to bother him so I'm unsure whether I need to take him to the vet or not. A friend has suggested I use eye drops for glaucoma. Any ideas
I recently notice my 14 year old beagle mix has one puffy red eye, it’s only red and puffy in the sclera. He hasn’t been acting different at all or acting in pain
I have a 14 year old( ppl years) Jack Russell Terrier. She started having a watery eye years ago but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. They said there was no eyelash issue or tear duct plugged. But then five years later they did see she was
My 2 year old pitbull boxer mix has eyebags. Wondering if theirs an at home treatment to reduce the size. She appears to look like she hasnt slept in a few days :\ ! But I assure you she does! She does not have discharge or pain or an infection in he
Teddi had entropion corrective surgery yesterday which left his eye drooping, I know its early but did they remove too much skin and can this be fixed? I am very upset just looking at him, First photo is before and then after...
Our 11 year old pit bull as creast around both eyes what do
MY male corgi is 14 years old and had an eye oblation for glaucoma. His other eye has, what looks like a wart underneath the upper eyelid, as if something is trapped there or growing there. He also has a cataract in that eye. In all other aspects he
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
