School nurses start getting scarcer, due to Medicaid problems

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Students in many Kentucky counties will find it harder to see a school nurse due to changes in the state Medicaid program and lack of payment from managed-care companies.

Takirah Sleet, 7, and school nurse Michelle Marra looked at Takirah's
lunch tray to calculate her insulin dosage at Lansdowne Elementary
in Lexington. (Lexington Herald-Leader photo by Pablo Alcala)

In Crittenden County schools, budget woes have forced the Pennyrile District Health Department to request additional money from the school district to keep its school health clinics fully-staffed and open, reports Jason Travis of The Crittenden Press. Allison Beshear, director of the health department, told Travis one reason from the budget crunch is a lack of payment from Kentucky Spirit, which owes the health department $266,000.

Without additional money from the school district, Beshear says, the health department cannot maintain the current level of service at school clinics through the end of the school year.  Proposals have been made to offer services to the district that entail reducing clerical staff without reducing the number of nurses; but in order to do so, trained school staff would have to handle daily medication distribution and help to answer the phones for the clinic.

"Kentucky Spirit has filed two appeals with the Cabinet of Health Services and the Finance Cabinet in which it claims to not be financially responsible for healthcare given in school clinics," reports Drew Adams of WKMS-FM in Murray reports in a story about similar problems in Hopkins County.

Other school districts facing similar problems include those of Bell, Clark and Pike counties. Eleven school health clinics in Bell County could be shut down by the end of this school year, reports WBIR-TV of Knoxville. In Clark County, a lawsuit between the state and Kentucky Spirit has put a halt to reimbursement for health services provided in county schools, reports Rachel Gilliam of The Winchester Sun.

Last month, the Pike County Board of Health filed a lawsuit against Kentucky Spirit because the managed-care firm has stopped reimbursing the Board of Health for school-nurse programs, reports Jordan Vilines of WYMT-TV in Hazard. The money has to be reimbursed in order to provide school nurses.

“I think having someone in the school to ensure that our children are healthy is imperative for the quality of life of our kids, especially in a very rural area," Pike Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford told Vilines.  He said that without reimbursement, school nurses could lose their jobs, which would leave hundreds of kids without immediate medical care.

Kentucky Health News is an independent service of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, with support from the Foundation for a Health Kentucky.

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Students in many Kentucky counties will find it harder to see a school nurse due to changes in the state Medicaid program and lack of payment from managed-care companies.

Takirah Sleet, 7, and school nurse Michelle Marra looked at Takirah's
lunch tray to calculate her insulin dosage at Lansdowne Elementary
in Lexington. (Lexington Herald-Leader photo by Pablo Alcala)

In Crittenden County schools, budget woes have forced the Pennyrile District Health Department to request additional money from the school district to keep its school health clinics fully-staffed and open, reports Jason Travis of The Crittenden Press. Allison Beshear, director of the health department, told Travis one reason from the budget crunch is a lack of payment from Kentucky Spirit, which owes the health department $266,000.

Without additional money from the school district, Beshear says, the health department cannot maintain the current level of service at school clinics through the end of the school year.  Proposals have been made to offer services to the district that entail reducing clerical staff without reducing the number of nurses; but in order to do so, trained school staff would have to handle daily medication distribution and help to answer the phones for the clinic.

"Kentucky Spirit has filed two appeals with the Cabinet of Health Services and the Finance Cabinet in which it claims to not be financially responsible for healthcare given in school clinics," reports Drew Adams of WKMS-FM in Murray reports in a story about similar problems in Hopkins County.

Other school districts facing similar problems include those of Bell, Clark and Pike counties. Eleven school health clinics in Bell County could be shut down by the end of this school year, reports WBIR-TV of Knoxville. In Clark County, a lawsuit between the state and Kentucky Spirit has put a halt to reimbursement for health services provided in county schools, reports Rachel Gilliam of The Winchester Sun.

Last month, the Pike County Board of Health filed a lawsuit against Kentucky Spirit because the managed-care firm has stopped reimbursing the Board of Health for school-nurse programs, reports Jordan Vilines of WYMT-TV in Hazard. The money has to be reimbursed in order to provide school nurses.

“I think having someone in the school to ensure that our children are healthy is imperative for the quality of life of our kids, especially in a very rural area," Pike Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford told Vilines.  He said that without reimbursement, school nurses could lose their jobs, which would leave hundreds of kids without immediate medical care.

Kentucky Health News is an independent service of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, with support from the Foundation for a Health Kentucky.

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The Pre-Financial U.S. collapse began today with U.S. Government gun confiscation laws

 

The INTOLERABLE ACT of 1774 or 2013?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intolerable_Acts

It may be a well known fact that governments like to weaken the masses before the x%$# hits the fan, and when inflation comes, and comes hard, you can bet your last worthless dollar that the U.S. Government wants to know who has the best firearms, how many, and where they live!

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/038512_2013_predictions_insanity.html

 

And since the Sandy Hook shooting DID NOT INVOLVE A SEMI AUTOMATIC WEAPON, and since the accused didn’t buy weapons illegally, or need a criminal background check to borrow his mother’s 4 HANDGUNS, we NOW know that the whole incident is being used as a ploy to get ready for the mass revolts and riots that will come when the greedy “1%” of Americans who run the show let the whole system implode.

 

http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=2E10716E6FD870ADECD5461A6778F3AB

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/038512_2013_predictions_insanity.html

 

 

The concept of state backed confiscation of civilians' firearms and ammunition has once again gained impetus after the Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut. After several innocent students and teachers lost their lives in the incident, the government is more stubborn than ever to strip U.S. citizens of their right to own guns for self defense. Whether or not it is a feasible way of curtailing such heinous acts is a matter of controversy, but one thing is certain that if all firearms are confiscated from the citizens, they will be left defenseless in front of psychopaths who, by hook or by crook, will gain access to guns in order to serve his purpose.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038417_Piers_Morgan_disarmament_Revolutionary_War.html#ixzz2Fc9EP3yB

 

Private ownership of guns can make American citizens a lot safer from killers

 

Natural News reports that there are several well known people who think that mere confiscation of firearms from civilians will not put a halt on such incidents. Instead, many are advocating arming school principals with firearms in order to protect students and teachers from the insanity of psychopaths. Recently, the governor of Texas stated that he thinks it will be more viable to arm school principals with firearms if incidents like Sandy Hook are to be averted in the future.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038418_Rick_Perry_concealed_carry_schoolteachers.html

 

It has been revealed by Natural News that the shooter at Newton Elementary School was under the medication of the anti-schizophrenic drug Fanapt. It may sound absurd but it is the truth that Fanapt was given approval by the FDA only after two short trials that were unable to determine the drug’s side effects in the long run. However, the side effects associated with Fanapt are aggression, restlessness, hostility and major depression. It has been opined that had the shooter been treated with proper nutritional foods, he could have responded more positively than succumbing to the side effects of Fanapt.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038415_school_shootings_nutrition_psychiatric_drugs.html

 

 http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1192&bih=512&tbm=isch&tbnid=OPVM6sqmzHVzzM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cr-cath.pvt.k12.ia.us/lasalle/Resources/8th%2520Websites/Liz%2520Shelby%2520Addi%2520David%2520rev%2520war/Liz%2520L%2520Rev%2520War/Intolerable_Acts.html&docid=nesyULNBQ9JeKM&imgurl=http://www.cr-cath.pvt.k12.ia.us/lasalle/Resources/8th%252520Websites/Liz%252520Shelby%252520Addi%252520David%252520rev%252520war/Liz%252520L%252520Rev%252520War/Images/britishpost.jpg&w=300&h=200&ei=ACH4UMG_B4qn0AH8iIH4Dw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=604&vpy=189&dur=293&hovh=160&hovw=240&tx=108&ty=86&sig=107647081272092790821&page=4&tbnh=142&tbnw=237&start=51&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:66,s:0,i:304

 

The INTOLERABLE ACT of 1774 or 2013?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intolerable_Acts

It may be a well known fact that governments like to weaken the masses before the x%$# hits the fan, and when inflation comes, and comes hard, you can bet your last worthless dollar that the U.S. Government wants to know who has the best firearms, how many, and where they live!

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/038512_2013_predictions_insanity.html

 

And since the Sandy Hook shooting DID NOT INVOLVE A SEMI AUTOMATIC WEAPON, and since the accused didn’t buy weapons illegally, or need a criminal background check to borrow his mother’s 4 HANDGUNS, we NOW know that the whole incident is being used as a ploy to get ready for the mass revolts and riots that will come when the greedy “1%” of Americans who run the show let the whole system implode.

 

http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=2E10716E6FD870ADECD5461A6778F3AB

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/038512_2013_predictions_insanity.html

 

 

The concept of state backed confiscation of civilians' firearms and ammunition has once again gained impetus after the Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut. After several innocent students and teachers lost their lives in the incident, the government is more stubborn than ever to strip U.S. citizens of their right to own guns for self defense. Whether or not it is a feasible way of curtailing such heinous acts is a matter of controversy, but one thing is certain that if all firearms are confiscated from the citizens, they will be left defenseless in front of psychopaths who, by hook or by crook, will gain access to guns in order to serve his purpose.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038417_Piers_Morgan_disarmament_Revolutionary_War.html#ixzz2Fc9EP3yB

 

Private ownership of guns can make American citizens a lot safer from killers

 

Natural News reports that there are several well known people who think that mere confiscation of firearms from civilians will not put a halt on such incidents. Instead, many are advocating arming school principals with firearms in order to protect students and teachers from the insanity of psychopaths. Recently, the governor of Texas stated that he thinks it will be more viable to arm school principals with firearms if incidents like Sandy Hook are to be averted in the future.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038418_Rick_Perry_concealed_carry_schoolteachers.html

 

It has been revealed by Natural News that the shooter at Newton Elementary School was under the medication of the anti-schizophrenic drug Fanapt. It may sound absurd but it is the truth that Fanapt was given approval by the FDA only after two short trials that were unable to determine the drug’s side effects in the long run. However, the side effects associated with Fanapt are aggression, restlessness, hostility and major depression. It has been opined that had the shooter been treated with proper nutritional foods, he could have responded more positively than succumbing to the side effects of Fanapt.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038415_school_shootings_nutrition_psychiatric_drugs.html

 

 http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1192&bih=512&tbm=isch&tbnid=OPVM6sqmzHVzzM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cr-cath.pvt.k12.ia.us/lasalle/Resources/8th%2520Websites/Liz%2520Shelby%2520Addi%2520David%2520rev%2520war/Liz%2520L%2520Rev%2520War/Intolerable_Acts.html&docid=nesyULNBQ9JeKM&imgurl=http://www.cr-cath.pvt.k12.ia.us/lasalle/Resources/8th%252520Websites/Liz%252520Shelby%252520Addi%252520David%252520rev%252520war/Liz%252520L%252520Rev%252520War/Images/britishpost.jpg&w=300&h=200&ei=ACH4UMG_B4qn0AH8iIH4Dw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=604&vpy=189&dur=293&hovh=160&hovw=240&tx=108&ty=86&sig=107647081272092790821&page=4&tbnh=142&tbnw=237&start=51&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:66,s:0,i:304

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Participating in a clinical trial can give patients access to advanced health care

Access to advanced care does not require big bucks or Cadillac insurance; it is offered on a limited basis through trials of new medical procedures at the University of Kentucky.  People in the university's health-service region can access cutting-edge health care through participation in clinical trials, according to a UK press release. The University of Louisville also does clinical trials.

Clinical trials are necessary to evaluate a drug, device or mode of therapy for a disease. UK investigators recruit individuals willing to contribute to science to participate in various types of trials; some may require participants with specific conditions, while others require healthy participants.  These participants are able to reap the benefits of advanced medical treatment while gaining access to top clinicians and the latest medical information.

"I would tell anyone who has a condition and is thinking about becoming part of a clinical trial that it is one of the most empowering things that people can do," said Dr. Leslie Crofford, chief of the UK Division of Rheumatology and director of Center for the Advancement of Women's Health. "It allows you to learn about a condition that may afflict you or a family member. It allows access and contact with investigators that are very knowledgeable about the condition. It allows a sense that you are doing something active to help not only yourself, but other people with the condition."

As a research insititution, UK is careful about the safety, privacy and oversight of clinical trials and it's important that participants understand the trial methodology, purpose and procedures. The UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science has compiled a helpful list of questions for clinical-trial participants. There are several ways to connect with clinical-trial opportunties and anyone can view currently available clinical trials at the university. Participants may also connect with clinical trials through their physician, or through national listings. (Read more)

Access to advanced care does not require big bucks or Cadillac insurance; it is offered on a limited basis through trials of new medical procedures at the University of Kentucky.  People in the university's health-service region can access cutting-edge health care through participation in clinical trials, according to a UK press release. The University of Louisville also does clinical trials.

Clinical trials are necessary to evaluate a drug, device or mode of therapy for a disease. UK investigators recruit individuals willing to contribute to science to participate in various types of trials; some may require participants with specific conditions, while others require healthy participants.  These participants are able to reap the benefits of advanced medical treatment while gaining access to top clinicians and the latest medical information.

"I would tell anyone who has a condition and is thinking about becoming part of a clinical trial that it is one of the most empowering things that people can do," said Dr. Leslie Crofford, chief of the UK Division of Rheumatology and director of Center for the Advancement of Women's Health. "It allows you to learn about a condition that may afflict you or a family member. It allows access and contact with investigators that are very knowledgeable about the condition. It allows a sense that you are doing something active to help not only yourself, but other people with the condition."

As a research insititution, UK is careful about the safety, privacy and oversight of clinical trials and it's important that participants understand the trial methodology, purpose and procedures. The UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science has compiled a helpful list of questions for clinical-trial participants. There are several ways to connect with clinical-trial opportunties and anyone can view currently available clinical trials at the university. Participants may also connect with clinical trials through their physician, or through national listings. (Read more)

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Among health providers having difficulty with Medicaid managed care, Cumberland Valley District Health Department stands out

The financial struggle that recently led to 14 layoffs and an increase in furlough days for the Cumberland Valley District Health Department continues. Other health departments have reported such difficulties, but it may be one of those hurt most.

With its deficit standing at $503,266,  a review of the department’s financial summary from the latter half of last year shows that a large part of the deficit is caused by lack of payments from Kentucky Spirit, a Medicaid managed-care company, according to an article in the Manchester Enterprise.

As recently as September, Kentucky Spirit owed the department over $300,000 for Medicaid services that had been provided. In the December report, Kentucky Spirit had only paid $698 and has since quit cooperating with the state, according to the Enterprise.

Adding to the cash flow problem, another managed-care firm pays a month late, according to department Interim Director Lynett Renner. She said that since 2011, health departments must also pay back to the state a Medicaid match, and are the only health care providers that must do so. 

Those factors, she said, are why the layoffs plus an increase in furlough days are necessary. Beginning Jan. 21, employees will be on a 32-hour workweek. In addition to those two money-saving actions, the department has also eliminated two positions, director of nursing and director of environmental services, the Enterprise reports. 

"What we do touches the lives of everyone in our country,” said Renner and the district will provide its services however it can.

The financial struggle that recently led to 14 layoffs and an increase in furlough days for the Cumberland Valley District Health Department continues. Other health departments have reported such difficulties, but it may be one of those hurt most.

With its deficit standing at $503,266,  a review of the department’s financial summary from the latter half of last year shows that a large part of the deficit is caused by lack of payments from Kentucky Spirit, a Medicaid managed-care company, according to an article in the Manchester Enterprise.

As recently as September, Kentucky Spirit owed the department over $300,000 for Medicaid services that had been provided. In the December report, Kentucky Spirit had only paid $698 and has since quit cooperating with the state, according to the Enterprise.

Adding to the cash flow problem, another managed-care firm pays a month late, according to department Interim Director Lynett Renner. She said that since 2011, health departments must also pay back to the state a Medicaid match, and are the only health care providers that must do so. 

Those factors, she said, are why the layoffs plus an increase in furlough days are necessary. Beginning Jan. 21, employees will be on a 32-hour workweek. In addition to those two money-saving actions, the department has also eliminated two positions, director of nursing and director of environmental services, the Enterprise reports. 

"What we do touches the lives of everyone in our country,” said Renner and the district will provide its services however it can.

Read More

New U of L public-health dean has rural health background

Craig H. Blakely, dean at the School of Rural Public Health at Texas A&M University, has been named dean of the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences. U of L has a role in rural health in Western Kentucky, overseeing the Area Health Education Centers in the region.

Blakely, who has a Ph.D. and a master's in public health, has researched and published extensively regarding access to care and rural health. His research has focused on under-served expectant mothers and juvenile delinquents, and includes substance-abuse prevention and community-based change. Blakely has also evaluated major initiatives such as a school-based prevention program targeting at-risk youth.

Blakely’s expertise will be invaluable in tackling issues like obesity, access to care, disease management and much more, said Dr. David L. Dunn, U of L's executive vice president for health affairs. Blakely’s appointment is effective April 1 and is subject to approval by the U of L Board of Trustees. He replaces Richard Clover, who has led the school for 10 years.

Craig H. Blakely, dean at the School of Rural Public Health at Texas A&M University, has been named dean of the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences. U of L has a role in rural health in Western Kentucky, overseeing the Area Health Education Centers in the region.

Blakely, who has a Ph.D. and a master's in public health, has researched and published extensively regarding access to care and rural health. His research has focused on under-served expectant mothers and juvenile delinquents, and includes substance-abuse prevention and community-based change. Blakely has also evaluated major initiatives such as a school-based prevention program targeting at-risk youth.

Blakely’s expertise will be invaluable in tackling issues like obesity, access to care, disease management and much more, said Dr. David L. Dunn, U of L's executive vice president for health affairs. Blakely’s appointment is effective April 1 and is subject to approval by the U of L Board of Trustees. He replaces Richard Clover, who has led the school for 10 years.

Read More

Mass Disarmament in U.S.- government plans to criminalize all gun owners! Natural News ongoing coverage of this "civil war on the brink"

 

What state do you live in?

Are you depressed or on psych meds?

Do you hunt, or are you being hunted?

Do you know how Hitler killed millions of people? He took their guns first!

 

U.S.government plans to criminalize all gun owners thus curbing personal freedom

 

Natural News reports that U.S. authorities are all set with a plan to criminalize all gun owners all over the country. Senator Dianne Feinstein has already drafted a plan of gun registration and confiscation. Many are seeing this as a direct breach of personal freedom and the liberty to keep guns that has been bestowed upon U.S. citizens by the constitution. They think that the Second Amendment is thus being revoked and the right to keep firearms is being breached.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038483_Senator_Feinstein_gun_control_registration.html#ixzz2GHHUcJtF

 

The law proposed by Feinstein would outlaw the possession of all sorts of assault rifles and semi-automatic rifles. Nearly all handguns will also be outlawed and people would be able to keep only “permanently disabled weapons.” There is also a plan to raise the funding of ATF in order to facilitate more frequent raids on gun owners. Moreover, thousands of domestic gun manufacturers will be barred and their businesses would be shut down thus hitting the already struggling U.S. economy with more blows. The proposed law would ban all magazines over 10 rounds and thus criminalize thousands of Americans instantly. In the near future, U.S. citizens may need the approval of local police chiefs in order to keep guns.

 

The law proposed by Senator Feinstein seems to be designed on the plan drafted by Hitler. The Nazi army enforced gun registration before gun confiscation and unleashing genocide on the general public. Similarly, U.S. authorities also are trying to create a country wide database of gun owners through registration and fingerprinting. Natural News opines that though people may think that the government would allow them to keep their guns after completion of these processes, the entire process of registration and fingerprinting would provide the authorities with the much needed ‘confiscation list’ that would help them conduct a door to door search.

 

 

 

What state do you live in?

Are you depressed or on psych meds?

Do you hunt, or are you being hunted?

Do you know how Hitler killed millions of people? He took their guns first!

 

U.S.government plans to criminalize all gun owners thus curbing personal freedom

 

Natural News reports that U.S. authorities are all set with a plan to criminalize all gun owners all over the country. Senator Dianne Feinstein has already drafted a plan of gun registration and confiscation. Many are seeing this as a direct breach of personal freedom and the liberty to keep guns that has been bestowed upon U.S. citizens by the constitution. They think that the Second Amendment is thus being revoked and the right to keep firearms is being breached.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038483_Senator_Feinstein_gun_control_registration.html#ixzz2GHHUcJtF

 

The law proposed by Feinstein would outlaw the possession of all sorts of assault rifles and semi-automatic rifles. Nearly all handguns will also be outlawed and people would be able to keep only “permanently disabled weapons.” There is also a plan to raise the funding of ATF in order to facilitate more frequent raids on gun owners. Moreover, thousands of domestic gun manufacturers will be barred and their businesses would be shut down thus hitting the already struggling U.S. economy with more blows. The proposed law would ban all magazines over 10 rounds and thus criminalize thousands of Americans instantly. In the near future, U.S. citizens may need the approval of local police chiefs in order to keep guns.

 

The law proposed by Senator Feinstein seems to be designed on the plan drafted by Hitler. The Nazi army enforced gun registration before gun confiscation and unleashing genocide on the general public. Similarly, U.S. authorities also are trying to create a country wide database of gun owners through registration and fingerprinting. Natural News opines that though people may think that the government would allow them to keep their guns after completion of these processes, the entire process of registration and fingerprinting would provide the authorities with the much needed ‘confiscation list’ that would help them conduct a door to door search.

 

 

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Surgery for entropion in cats

White JS, Grundon RA, Hardman C, O’Reilly A and Stanley RG. Surgical management and outcome of lower eyelid entropion in 124 cats. Vet Ophthalmol. 2012; 15: 231-5.

Entropion is a condition relating to inversion of an eyelid margin, most typically with resultant trichiasis, where the eyelashes rub on the surface of the eye. Entropion can be categorized as primary or secondary in nature. Secondary entropion is either spastic (from painful ocular diseases causing severe blepharospasm) or cicatricial (scarring deformities). In a retrospective study covering a 13-year period, 124 cats with surgical correction of lower eyelid entropion (a total of 200 eyes) were evaluated . The cases were reviewed for signalment, type of entropion, surgical procedure performed, and post-operative results. The authors looked at combinations of the Hotz-Celsus (HC), lateral canthal closure, and full thickness wedge techniques in the different cases (bilateral and unilateral) of lower lid entropion.
 
The most common breeds represented were domestic shorthair (72), Persian (14), Russian Blue (13), domestic longhair (8), and British Blue/Shorthair (7). Persians were the most overrepresented among the different breeds at a rate of 50% with concurrent corneal sequestra. Geriatric cats were the age group most likely to develop corneal sequestra; 37% of this group presented with concurrent entropion and corneal sequestra. A combination of the HC and lateral canthal closure techniques had the highest success rate for resolving the entropion with one surgery (99.21%). The lateral canthal closures also reduce the risk of further corneal sequestration by reducing corneal exposure. The results of the study also indicate that there is a predisposition in cats that have entropion in one eye to develop entropion in the other eye. Therefore, it is also recommended that a prophylactic lateral canthal closure in the unaffected eye be recommended. [VT]

See also: Williams D and Kim J-Y. Feline entropion: a case series of 50 affected animals (2003-2008). Vet Ophthalmol. 2009; 12: 221-6.

Related blog articles:
Feline entropion (August 2009)

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Google+

White JS, Grundon RA, Hardman C, O’Reilly A and Stanley RG. Surgical management and outcome of lower eyelid entropion in 124 cats. Vet Ophthalmol. 2012; 15: 231-5.

Entropion is a condition relating to inversion of an eyelid margin, most typically with resultant trichiasis, where the eyelashes rub on the surface of the eye. Entropion can be categorized as primary or secondary in nature. Secondary entropion is either spastic (from painful ocular diseases causing severe blepharospasm) or cicatricial (scarring deformities). In a retrospective study covering a 13-year period, 124 cats with surgical correction of lower eyelid entropion (a total of 200 eyes) were evaluated . The cases were reviewed for signalment, type of entropion, surgical procedure performed, and post-operative results. The authors looked at combinations of the Hotz-Celsus (HC), lateral canthal closure, and full thickness wedge techniques in the different cases (bilateral and unilateral) of lower lid entropion.
 
The most common breeds represented were domestic shorthair (72), Persian (14), Russian Blue (13), domestic longhair (8), and British Blue/Shorthair (7). Persians were the most overrepresented among the different breeds at a rate of 50% with concurrent corneal sequestra. Geriatric cats were the age group most likely to develop corneal sequestra; 37% of this group presented with concurrent entropion and corneal sequestra. A combination of the HC and lateral canthal closure techniques had the highest success rate for resolving the entropion with one surgery (99.21%). The lateral canthal closures also reduce the risk of further corneal sequestration by reducing corneal exposure. The results of the study also indicate that there is a predisposition in cats that have entropion in one eye to develop entropion in the other eye. Therefore, it is also recommended that a prophylactic lateral canthal closure in the unaffected eye be recommended. [VT]

See also: Williams D and Kim J-Y. Feline entropion: a case series of 50 affected animals (2003-2008). Vet Ophthalmol. 2009; 12: 221-6.

Related blog articles:
Feline entropion (August 2009)

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Google+

Read More