British Simmental Review 2018

ENTROPIES
Entropion is a condition where the
eyelashes contact the surface of one
or both eyes as a result of the eyelid
turning in, most commonly noted in the
lower lid. This can cause irritation and
weeping of the eye followed by clouding,
ulcers and ultimately blindness.
There are various ways to define the
condition. Primary entropion occurs
where there is too much eyelid skin for
the conformation of the skull and size
of eyeball. Secondary entropion is as
a result of another condition, such as
dehydration or pain. Secondary entropion
can also be defined as spastic entropion. It
is caused where pain on the surface of the
eye from a foreign body, such as straw, or
from trauma such as a halter injury causes
the defect.
Primary entropion is clearly a genetic
and heritable defect. Secondary entropion
is not necessarily a genetic defect but can
be as a result of a genetic predisposition.
By the very nature of the Simmental
breed - “large elastic eyelids, eyelashes are
standing in-front of more elastic, thicker,
frilled skin around the eyes”- there is a
predisposition to the development of the
condition. If it is likely that this can be
passed on genetically then animals with
this problem should not be retained for
breeding.
Surgical correction can be carried
out to correct entropion provided the
predisposing cause is also managed. This
is appropriate to alleviate suffering in the
animal but is not acceptable as a means
to disguise the condition to allow a bull
to be sold for breeding.
Gareth Boyes
SIMMENTAL REVIEW 2018
www.britishsimmental.co.uk
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