How Common Is Distichiasis in Dogs?

As a cavalier owner distichiasis is something I’ve come across before. Two of my dogs have been diagnosed with mild cases of distichiasis (luckily) so I’ve done some research.

There are different eye disorders such as entropion, ectopic cilia, distichiasis, and trichiasis which all have the same kind of symptoms. But they are different and often mixed up. Entropion is an eyelid disorder and ectopic cilia, distichiasis and trichiasis are eyelash disorders.

So in this article, we will take a closer look at distichiasis: what distichiasis means in dogs, what causes it, and how to get rid of distichiasis in dogs.

What Is Distichiasis in Dogs?

Distichiasis is an eyelash disorder where extra eyelashes grow from the eyelid margin rather than the skin. Normally eyelashes don’t grow from the eyelid margin. The eyelid margin is where women apply kohl pencil when doing their makeup.

Distichiasis doesn’t mean that the dog has a second row of eyelashes. Oil-secreting meibomian glands are located along the eyelids as well as the lash line and sporadic lashes grow abnormally from near those meibomian glands.

In good cases, the abnormally growing eyelashes grow outwards from the eye, and there are only a few extra lashes or they are soft and thin, therefore distichiasis has very little effect on the dog’s life.

In bad cases, the eyelashes are thick and they grow towards the eye, causing symptoms and harm to the dog. In this case, the veterinary ophthalmologist examines the situation and recommends treatment accordingly.

Distichiasis vs Trichiasis in Dogs

Distichiasis means abnormally growing extra eyelashes where they should not grow. Certain dog breeds are more likely to develop distichiasis than others.

Trichiasis means that the hair grows normally around the eyes or snout but is misdirected and therefore getting into contact with the eyes. The trichiasis that affects the brachycephalic breeds is called nasal fold trichiasis and breeds with long facial hair are affected by medial caruncular trichiasis.

Signs And Symptoms of Distichiasis

Distichiasis can be seen with the naked eye and bright light when inspected closely. In our case, the veterinary ophthalmologist discovered my dog’s distichiasis while we were doing the recommended health tests.

Signs of distichiasis are:

• Excessive blinking
• Redness of the eyes
• Pawing at eye
• Watery and runny eyes
• In severe cases corneal ulcers
• Irritation mentioned above can lead to infection

Is Distichiasis Hereditary in Dogs?

Distichiasis is caused by genetics and is a hereditary disease. The incidence of inheritance is clear but the exact inheritance pattern is not known. When comes to breeding, reducing the incidence is the desired goal. Distichiasis is a challenge for breeding because the disorder has a polygenic inheritance meaning that multiple genes are involved.

How Rare Is Distichiasis?

Distichiasis is a common eye disorder among dogs. The abnormal eyelash growth can affect any breed but distichiasis can be seen occurring in some breeds more often than others.

List of breeds that are prone to have distichiasis:

• Boxers
• Bulldogs
• Cocker spaniels
• Cavalier King Charles spaniels
• Dachshunds
• Golden retrievers
• Poodles
• Shetland sheepdogs
• Shih Tzus
• Staffordshire bull terrier

How Distichiasis Is Treated in Dogs?

Distichiasis usually develops early in dogs and can be diagnosed before one year of age. Asymptomatic dogs do not require treatment. Those are the good cases described above.

But if the extra eyelashes constantly irritate the dog’s eye, it’s best to consult a veterinarian for solutions. Over time the constant friction and scraping of the cornea can lead to infections and scarring.

Ways To Treat Distichiasis in Dogs:

There are different methods to treat distichiasis in dogs, and only few need surgical help. Let’s look at the treatment methods.

Lubricants and Ointments:

If the symptoms are minor, topical lubricants like eye drops and ointment cream can help protect the cornea. If this helps and the symptoms like redness and tearing of the eyes go away, this method can be applied indefinitely.

Plucking:

Mechanically plucking the excess eyelashes can give immediate relief to the dog. Unfortunately, this is not a permanent solution, because the eyelashes will grow back within 4-6 weeks from plucking.

Cauterization:

Cauterization is a medical procedure where tissue is destroyed by using a hot or cold instrument or an electrical current. For example, laser hair removal is done with this technique.

Cryotherapy: This can sound extreme but cryotherapy is a common method to treat distichiasis. In cryotherapy, a freezing agent is applied over the affected gland when the dog is under anesthesia. The freezing agent destroys the hair follicle and prevents eyelashes from growing back. In cryotherapy results are permanent.

Electrolysis: A very fine electrolysis burns and destroys the hair follicle. The sporadic eyelashes won’t grow back. Electrolysis gives permanent results just like cryotherapy and is done under anesthesia.

What To Do After Distichiasis Treatment?

Cauterization of the hair follicles near the eyes often causes swelling and leaves a small pink scar. The swelling will go away and the scar will fade. To prevent rubbing and scratching, an Elizabethan collar is handy and should be used as instructed by the vet.

Use the eye drops or ointment cream that the veterinarian prescribed for your dog. Antibiotic drops are often given to prevent infections. That’s why it’s also important to keep your dog’s eyes clean. You may go and visit the vet after 1-2 weeks for a follow-up appointment. The veterinarian will check the healing process and give further instructions if needed.