What is distichiasis?
Distichiasis is an eye condition linked to the presence of a row of abnormally implanted supernumerary eyelashes along the free edge of the dog's eyelid.
By rubbing on the cornea, the eyelashes can cause discomfort and pain or even cause the formation of a corneal ulcer.
All dogs can be affected by distichiasis but it seems that certain dog breeds are predisposed to it, such as the English Bulldog, the English Cocker Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel, the Boxer, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Flat Coat Retriever or even the long-haired Dwarf Dachshund.
What are the symptoms of distichiasis in dogs?
Sometimes the presence of supernumerary eyelashes does not cause any symptoms in dogs. It is then the veterinarian who accidentally highlights them during an ophthalmological examination of the animal.
But, they can sometimes be annoying by provoking:
- itchy eyes,
- eye redness,
- running eyes.
When distichiasis is accompanied by a corneal ulcer, the animal feels pain in the eye that may manifest as:
- a blepharospasm (increased blinking of the eyes and involuntary closing of the eyelids),
- a marked epiphora (eyes running a lot),
- traces of auto-trauma in the eyes.
While distichiasis can affect dogs of all ages, the first symptoms usually appear in young dogs.
Diagnosis of distichiasis in dogs
Only an ophthalmological examination carried out by a veterinarian will make it possible to diagnose distichiasis in the presence of the symptoms mentioned above.
If the veterinarian's examination reveals the presence of supernumerary eyelashes, then he can manually remove these eyelashes with tweezers to check if the dog's symptoms are indeed linked to their presence. and not to any other dog eye problem such as infectious conjunctivitis or entropion. If the animal's clinical signs disappear or lessen following this hair removal, it is because distichiasis is indeed the cause.
What treatments for distichiasis in dogs?
In case of distichiasis, it is possible to have the supernumerary eyelashes waxed regularly by a veterinarian. However, this solution is quite painful for the animal and is only temporary. It may not be satisfactory in cases of severe distichiasis.
For the latter, it is possible to use several surgical techniques among:
- electrolysis. This technique consists of inserting a fine electrode into the exit orifice of the supernumerary eyelash and then sending a weak electric current intended to destroy the hair follicle. Thus destroyed, the eyelash no longer grows back.
- cryosurgery. This technique consists of destroying the hair follicles with cold.
- surgical excision of a small piece of the inside of the eyelid where the hair follicles of the supernumerary eyelashes are located.
All these surgical techniques obviously require general anesthesia of the animal as well as post-operative care such as the application of cold compresses, the instillation of eye drops or antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye ointments or even the administration of anti-inflammatory systemically to the animal.
In case of severe distichiasis, it may be necessary to intervene twice surgically.