Distichiasis, An Eye Disease in Dogs
Improperly Placed Eyelashes Which Cause Problems in the Canine Eye
Jul 18, 2009
Distichiasis is one of many diseases which can affect the eyes of a dog. In the case of distichiasis, eyelashes are found growing on the margin of the eyelid and these abnormally placed eyelashes can cause irritation to the eye itself, resulting in corneal ulcers or abrasions and/or conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the eye).
Causes of Distichiasis in the Canine Eye
The extra eyelashes or hairs which characterize distichiasis in dogs grow out of the Meibomian glands that are located on the eyelid margin. All dogs have Meibomian glands, a part of the normal anatomy of the eyelid. However, in cases of distiachiasis, two or more hairs grow out of these Meibomian glands in an abnormal fashion. The eye problem arises when these abnormally located eyelashes or hairs contact and irritate the eyeball itself and the surrounding tissues.
Distichiasis produces symptoms similar to those seen with other eye problems. Entropion is an eye disease of the dog which is frequently confused with distichiasis. However, whereas distichiasis is the result of extra eyelashes, entropion results when there is extra skin around the eye which allows the eyelid to roll inward toward the eye. Entropion results in conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers or abrasions due to the irritation of the eyelashes or normal hair contacting the surface of the eye, which does not occur in dogs with healthy eyes.
Sypmtoms of Distichiasis in the Eye of a Dog
The symptoms associated with distichiasis in the dog can vary depending on the texture of the extra eyelashes, where the extra eyelashes are located, how long the eyelashes are and how many extra eyelashes are present. Distichiasis can cause symptoms ranging from minor to quite severe and extremely painful for the affected dog.
Symptoms often observed with distiachiasis in the eye of the dog include:
- corneal ulcers
- chronic pain in the eye/eyelid
- excessive tearing resulting in an ocular discharge
- squinting/holding eyelids closed or partially closed
- increased blinking
Distiachiasis is most often seen in young dogs and puppies. Though distichiasis can be seen in any dogs, certain breeds seem to be over-represented. Distichiasis can be an inherited eye disease in these breeds of dogs. Breeds commonly affected include:
- Cocker Spaniel
- Cocker Spaniel, American
- English Bulldog
- Flat-coated Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Lhasa Apso
- Miniature Longhaired Dachshund
- Miniature Poodle
- Pekingese
- Poodle
- Pug
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Shih Tzu
- Toy Poodle
- Yorkshire Terrier
Dogs diagnosed with distiachiasis affecting their eyes should not be bred because of the heritability of the problem and the likelihood of passing the eye problem on to the progeny.
Treatment for Distichiasis in the Dog Eye
Treatment for distichiasis in the canine eye involves destroying the hair follicles which produce the abnormal eyelashes, preventing the hairs from growing back. Methods available to destroy the follicle and prevent regrowth of the eyelashes include:
- cryotherapy (freezing the eyelid margins where the extra eyelashes grow)
- surgery to remove the extra eyelashes
- electrolysis
Plucking the hairs from the eye margins will not cure distichiasis in affected dogs since plucking does not destroy the follicle and the hair will regrow with time.
Once the hair follicle is destroyed, prognosis for the affected eye is good.
Distichiasis is a commonly encountered eye problem in dogs which is often congenital in nature and is considered to be a heritable canine eye disease. Distichiasis causes a great deal of ocular discomfort for those dogs affected, but can be treated by destroying the abnormally located hair follicles and preventing regrowth of the eyelashes which irritate the affected canine eye.
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