Understanding Distichiasis in Dogs: Causes & Treatments

Distichiasis is when dogs get extra eyelashes that grow from their eyelid edges. This makes their eyes hurt, get red, and swell¹. It’s a genetic issue mainly seen in certain dog breeds like American Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers².

Symptoms include their eyes being red, watery, and they might blink a lot. Without treatment, they could get corneal ulcers or start losing their vision¹. It’s very important to take them for regular check-ups to catch this early¹.

Key Takeaways:

• Distichiasis in dogs means extra lashes grow where they shouldn’t, causing irritation¹.
• Breeds like American Cocker Spaniels are more likely to have this problem².
• Catching and treating it early is key to preventing severe eye issues¹.
• Treatment can involve surgery, freezing the extra lashes, or removing them with electrolysis¹.
• Keeping up with vet visits is crucial to check for new lash growth².

What Causes Distichiasis in Dogs?

Distichiasis occurs in dogs when odd eyelashes grow out of the meibomian gland openings or close by on the eyelid edge. It’s thought to be inherited, although experts aren’t exactly sure. These glands secrete eye lubricants but create abnormal lashes in affected dogs.

Distichiasis usually starts before a dog turns 1 and hits some breeds harder. It’s especially found in breeds like the American Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog, and Shih Tzu among others². Researchers are still trying to understand why some breeds are more at risk.

This condition can really bother a dog’s eyes, leading to inflammation and pain. Without treatment, it can even damage the cornea or interfere with vision. So, it’s key that pet owners catch signs early, such as red eyes or lots of tearing.

A vet will need to take a close look at the dog’s eyes to diagnose distichiasis. They may pluck the stray lashes, freeze them off, or even suggest surgery³. Non-surgical options might mean regular care with eye drops and plucking new lashes⁴. Surgery, though, tries to fix the issue for good but might not always work as hoped⁴. To stop this problem from spreading, breeding affected dogs isn’t advised³².

Distichiasis and Ectopic Cilia

Distichiasis isn’t the same as ectopic cilia, another hair growth issue. Ectopic cilia are tiny and hard to spot. They’re also bad news for young dogs, risking damage to the cornea. Surgery is usually the fix, stopping hair from coming back⁴.

To wrap up, distichiasis is passed down to dogs, causing weird eyelash growth. It’s common in certain breeds and can cause serious eye issues without treatment. There are many ways to treat it, from simple to surgical⁴³.

Breeds Prone to Distichiasis

Some dog breeds are more likely to get distichiasis. This condition means they grow extra eyelashes. These breeds include American Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and others. If you have one of these dogs, watch out for any signs of this problem.

Distichiasis mainly affects certain dog breeds because of their genes². While cats rarely have this issue, many dog breeds do. If you own one of these dogs, knowing about this risk is important. You might need to treat or manage it.

Dogs with distichiasis might have irritated eyes, discharge, or blink a lot. Without treatment, this condition can cause serious eye damage. It’s vital to catch it early and treat it right. This helps keep your dog’s eyes healthy².

Clinical Signs of Distichiasis in Dogs

Dogs can get distichiasis, where they grow extra eyelashes. This condition varies from mild irritation to severe symptoms.

The main sign of this condition is having extra eyelashes of various sizes and stiffness. Some dogs might not show symptoms if the lashes are soft and don’t touch the cornea. But, if the lashes are hard, they can really bother the eye.

A common problem with distichiasis is eye irritation. Dogs might show redness, swelling, and eye discharge. They could also feel pain, have a lot of tears, and blink or squint a lot.

Without treatment, distichiasis can cause big problems like corneal ulcers. This happens when the extra lashes rub against the cornea. It can lead to ulcers, scars, and dark spots on the cornea. Severe damage can even affect vision.

Dog owners need to know these signs. If a dog keeps having eye problems, a vet should check for distichiasis. Catching it early and treating it can prevent more issues.

Sometimes, surgery is needed. If so, following the vet’s care instructions after surgery is key. Regular check-ups are also vital. They help make sure the lashes don’t grow back and the surgery works well.

Knowing about distichiasis and getting the right vet care is important. It helps keep dogs’ eyes healthy.

Statistical data reference:²,³

Diagnosis of Distichiasis in Dogs

If your dog has distichiasis, a vet will need to check its eyes carefully. This includes looking at the eyelids and the areas where extra lashes might grow. The vet will also see if these extra lashes hurt the dog’s eye. To learn more, they might use a special dye to spot any injuries on the eye surface².

They’ll also check other eye health signs, like how many tears the eye makes. This helps them make sure nothing else is causing the symptoms. Sometimes, dogs get gentle drugs to keep them still and relaxed for the exam².

An in-depth eye exam helps the vet figure out if extra eyelashes are the problem. Knowing this helps them decide how to treat your dog. It’s important to catch it early so your dog doesn’t get more uncomfortable².

Treatment Options for Distichiasis in Dogs

For dogs with distichiasis, treatment is based on how severe it is. Dogs showing mild symptoms may just need ophthalmic lubricants. These lubricants help protect the eye and ease irritation from the extra eyelashes. It’s key to remember not to pluck these eyelashes. This could cause problems and the hair might just grow back⁴.

If the dog gets corneal ulcers or keeps feeling irritation, surgery might be needed. Surgery aims to remove these eyelashes and stop them from coming back. There are a few surgical choices such as:

1. Removing the eyelid part that’s affected
2. Using electrocautery, cryosurgery, or laser to kill the hair roots²

Most surgeries use general anesthesia. If the dog has only one or two problematic eyelashes, part of the eyelid may be removed. With many abnormal eyelashes, options like electrocautery, cryosurgery, or laser help. It’s important to know surgery could lead to excessive scarring. It may also not stop the hair from growing again, possibly needing more surgeries².

In worse or tricky cases, seeing a dog eye specialist is advised. They’re trained to handle eye problems well, aiming for the best outcome for your dog’s eyesight and life quality.

The decision on how to treat distichiasis in dogs comes down to the vet’s advice. Regular check-ups and following the treatment plan are important. By teaming up with a vet, pet owners can help keep their dog’s eyes healthy.

Risks and Prognosis for Dogs with Distichiasis

Not treating distichiasis in dogs can result in serious problems. These include corneal ulcers, bacterial infections, and blindness. Knowing this, spotting the issue early and treating it right is key².

For dogs that show no signs, they usually have an excellent chance of staying healthy². Yet, for those with slight symptoms, quick and proper care is vital. This stops the condition from getting worse. Often, eye drops can lessen discomfort and prevent more serious issues².

If a dog needs surgery, they often do well afterwards. The goal of surgery is to remove the problematic eyelashes and stop them from coming back². But, it’s important to keep checking on them after surgery to catch any regrowth of eyelashes and see how well the treatment worked². In some instances, treatments like burning away or freezing the lashes are used. Yet, these methods could lead to too much scarring on the eyelids and the possibility of needing more surgeries if hair grows back².

It’s important for a dog’s health to keep up with doctor visits and stick to their treatment plan. By staying vigilant and taking action quickly, we can avoid complications and give dogs the best care².

Being a responsible dog owner means knowing the dangers of untreated distichiasis. We must take steps for prevention, early spotting, and the right treatment. This way, we look after our dogs’ sight and overall health³.

Distichiasis Treatment Options: Non-surgical Approaches

Sometimes, surgery isn’t needed for distichiasis. There are non-surgical ways to help. These methods aim to ease symptoms and protect the eye’s cornea. They stop irritation and damage.

1. Ocular Lubricants

Ocular lubricants, like artificial tears or eye gels, offer comfort for dogs with distichiasis. They moisturize the eye, easing discomfort from extra lashes. By creating a barrier, they also prevent scratches or ulcers caused by the lashes rubbing against the cornea. Using these lubricants regularly makes a big difference in a dog’s eye comfort and health.

Ocular lubricants provide a non-surgical way to safeguard the cornea and lessen distichiasis symptoms.³

2. Plucking of Distichiae

Another way to handle distichiasis without surgery is by plucking the extra eyelashes. This is done by gently pulling out the lashes with tweezers. Plucking works best for dogs with a small number of long lashes. Since these lashes grow back in about four to six weeks, they’ll need to be plucked again. Care is needed to avoid hurting the eyelid. Always talk to a vet to learn the best way to pluck.

Plucking is another non-surgical choice for dogs with distichiasis. It helps remove the unwanted lashes but needs to be done often as they grow back.³

Always talk to a vet when thinking about non-surgical treatments. They can check how serious the distichiasis is and choose the best option for your dog. They might mix different methods or suggest something more serious if needed.

Distichiasis Treatment Options: Invasive Procedures

For severe distichiasis, some treatments need surgery. These are done while the patient is asleep, using general anesthesia. The goal is to remove extra eyelashes that shouldn’t be there. Doctors may use electrolysis or cryotherapy for a long-lasting solution.

Electrolysis destroys the hair roots with a thin electrode². Cryotherapy, on the other hand, freezes them to stop hair from coming back⁴. Both methods work well, but sometimes new hairs can grow back over time²⁴.

Since electrolysis and cryotherapy need anesthesia, they’re called invasive. A vet must check the dog first. They decide which method is best based on how bad the problem is and the dog’s health.

Surgical Treatment for Distichicasis in Dogs

For severe cases of distichiasis in dogs, or when other treatments don’t work, surgery is an option⁴. Surgical steps aim to take out the extra eyelashes. They try to stop them from coming back. This helps the dog feel better for a long time. Surgery depends on how serious it is and what the dog needs.

The first surgery method removes the hair follicles causing extra lashes. This needs careful work and a skilled vet to make sure all the unwanted hairs are gone. It’s usually chosen when a dog has many extra eyelashes⁴.

Another way to handle distichiasis is to turn the eyelid margin outward. This is called the Hotz-Celsus procedure. It moves the lashes away from the eye to stop them from causing more issues⁴. This may be the best method when there aren’t many extra lashes. Or, if the first method isn’t right. A vet eye expert usually does this surgery.

Like any surgery, treating distichiasis can have risks and might cause problems. The eyelids could scar too much, which would change how they look and work. There’s also a chance the hair might grow back, meaning the dog might need more surgery. But, the right surgical methods and care after surgery can lower these risks².

To wrap up, surgical options like removing the hair follicles and the Hotz-Celsus are good for tough cases of distichiasis in dogs. They take out the problem eyelashes and help stop them from coming back. It’s very important to have a knowledgable vet and to keep an eye on the dog after the surgery.

Conclusion

Distichiasis is where dogs grow extra eyelashes in the wrong spot. It can lead to eye pain, inflammation, and damage. Untreated, it risks their vision and comfort. Vets diagnose it through a detailed eye exam. Treatments vary from eye drops to surgery. Owners must keep up with vet visits and treatments to protect their dogs’ health.

A study showed distichiasis often runs in families of dogs. It’s quite common in English Cocker Spaniels. A Danish study from 2004 to 2013 found a 49.31% prevalence. It noted that puppies from two affected parents had a higher risk of getting it. Over ten years, 70.3% of breeding mixes included at least one affected dog. The most common pairing was one affected dog with one healthy one⁵.

In Havanese dogs, 14.5% had distichiasis, mostly mild cases. Genetics plays a role, as shown by various heritability estimates. The condition affected both male and female dogs equally. Fewer than a quarter had their eyes checked between 2005 and 2020. This underlines the need for more eye screenings and awareness. Almost half of the litters had a puppy screened in the same period⁶.

A study in Staffordshire Bull Terriers found four genetic areas linked to distichiasis. Dogs with certain genomic values had a higher risk of developing the condition. Affected dogs had more risk alleles than those without the condition. Distichiasis was associated with specific gene variations. Most dogs studied were from Norway, with some from Sweden, focusing the research regionally⁷.

Source Links

1. https://www.eyevetclinic.co.uk/app/uploads/2022/10/Distichiasis-Factsheet.pdf
2. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/distichia-or-distichiasis-in-dogs
3. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/eyes/distichiasis-dogs
4. https://www.vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/distichiasis-extra-eyelashes-fact-sheet/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4579384/
6. https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-021-00110-5
7. https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-023-00132-1