Entropian Eyelids in Goats
Among the most frequent eye problems we see in newborn goat kids is entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward and irritates the cornea, the outer layer of the eye. This often presents within the first day or two of life - and quite often is present at birth. Goat kids with entropian eyes will have watery discharge from the affected eye(s) and often you will see a cloudy white spot where the eyelashes have irritated the eye. Left untreated, this can ulcerate the eye causing an open wound on the cornea. Without prompt treatement, blindness or partial blindness is likely. Secondary to the ulcerated eye is a kid not nursing frequently enough, or at all due to not being able to see to get to the teat and/or because of pain which can lead to a cold, starving or dead goat kid. If you've raised goats more than one season, you know that nursing early and often is key to getting goat kids the right start and anything that hampers their eating is life threatening.
Genetic, or Not?
While I firmly believe based on my experience that entropian eyes are hereditary, the fact of the matter is, there isn't hard data on whether this is a genetic trait, or if it's situational. I have found that while it CAN be culled out of your herd, many breeders think this is an easy enough fix that they don't worry about it so it is very easy to introduce or re-introuduce it to your herd inadvertantly. To add to that, they aren't always passed down so while one kid out of a litter may have one or both eyelids folded in, many siblings and half siblings may have perfect eyes. Because of this, entropian is very prevelant in many goat herds, and many genetic lines, so you may not see it in your herd until you bring in those genetics that carry it and unknowingly add it to your herd.
So, how do you fix this you ask? Well, some entropian will be severe and may require a vet to cut excess skin tissue and stitch the eyelid open - however, most are easily resolved by rolling the eyelid out and placing a skin staple or two using a skin stapler like this to hold the entropian eyelid in place until the kid grows enough that it's no longer an issue (this is our preferred method). The staple(s) can usually be removed within a week or two and the entropian will be "cured". This of course is only a fix for the individual animal - those genetics will remain in your herd unless you do not use that animal for breeding. So you as a breeder will need to decide if this is something you are willing to fix each kidding season, or if you cull it out. It is important to keep good records so you know which genetic lines are producing this in your herd since once it's been fixed as a kid, you will not be able to physically see this defect on breeding age animals.
To use the stapler, you simpy roll down the entropian eyelid until the eyelashes are pointing out and the and place a staple or two to hold it in place. It can be helpful to have another person hold the goat while you roll and staple, but it can be done by a single person if help is not available, it just takes a little patience and practice .
Symptoms of Entropian
Excessive Tearing (Epiphora): The eye appears very wet, often leading to staining down the face.
- Squinting (Blepharospasm): The goat closes or squints the affected eye due to pain.
- Matted/Swollen Eyes: The eye may appear closed or swollen shut.
- Cloudy Cornea/Ulcers: If left untreated, the eye may develop infections or cloudiness and may result in partial or total blindness in affected eye(s) if left untreated.
Causes
- Congenital (Newborn Kids): A common, often inherited, defect where the lower lid turns under immediately after birth.
Fixing Entropian
- Rolling the eyelid down several times a day and inserting eye ointment under the lid to ease irritation.
- Gently injecting a thick fluid, like an antibiotic in the eyelid to help it "pop" out until it is corrected.
- Using a skin stapler to tack the eyelid in the correct position until it is corrected (our preferred method).
- Severe cases may need to be corrected by a veterinarian removing excess skin from the affected eyelids and stitching it back to hold it in position.
Here is a picture of an eyelid that has been corrected using the skin stapler method. Note how you can see the "brown" line on this kids eyelid and the eyelashes are pointing out. Once the eyelid has been corrected, the eye itself will usually heal very well without more intervention, however you can apply an eye spray like Vetricyn (labeled for goats) or a Terramycin Ointment two to three times per day until healed to help sooth the eye and reduce inflammation.
The only true "cure" is to cull the lines from your herd that pass this on to prevent it from ocurring in future generations. Keeping and referencing records when planning breedings is crucial to eliminate this within your own herd.