Dog Distichiasis Symptoms and Treatments

Dog Distichiasis is an eyelash that arises from an abnormal spot on the eyelid. Distichiasis usually exit from the duct of the meibomian gland at the eyelid margin. They are usually multiple and sometimes more than one arises from a duct. They can affect either the upper or lower eyelid and are usually bilateral.

Distichiasis in dogs usually causes no problems to the infected dog because the lashes are soft, but they can irritate the eye and cause tearing, squinting, inflammation, and corneal ulcers. Treatment options include manual removal, electrolysis, electrocautery, cryotherapy, and surgery.

A normal treatment usually begins with the application of ophthalmic lubricants to protect the cornea and coat the eyelashes with an oily film. Surgical correction may remove the eyelashes and kill the hair follicles, if they are causing corneal changes. The repeated growing of the hair after surgeries is a regular problem and may require repetitive surgeries. Some more there are chances of appearance of new follicles at new locations happening after surgery.

Another option would be to use Cryoepilation (cryotherapy or cryosurgery), the application of a liquid nitrogen probe that freezes the hair follicles, of which then are removed.

Veterinary ophthalmologists have been using cryoepilation to remove distichiatic lashes without damaging the normal lashes quite successfully. It has been found that with cryoepilation, up to 90% of the treated distichiatic lashes do not grow back, and repeat surgical treatment is rarely required. However, this form of ophthalmologic surgery may be expensive for most people, ranging from a thousand to over two thousand dollars easily.

Some of the dog breeds that are affected more frequently by distichiasis are Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund (especially the miniature longhaired Dachshund), Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Pekingese.

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