Distichiasis

bubbilygum

bubbilygum

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 January 2012
Messages
354
Location
Oxfordshire
Visit site
My 1 year old Airedale has just been diagnosed with Distichiasis. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this or advice they could give me? My vet has advised that I pluck the hairs out every month or so, and if the condition gets worse then we can consider options such as having the follicles frozen or cut out under general anaesthetic.

Any advice/comments anyone can offer would be much appreciated!
 
Well, I can't find very much information from the Airedale Terrier Health Fund - I know they record instances of distichiasis but other than that I can't find out much more about it!
Most of the information I can find elsewhere on the internet points towards surgery but they seem to be talking about the most extreme cases, where scratching of the cornea, infection and even ulcers are occurring. Lily doesn't have any of this, the vet was perfectly happy with her eye health with the exception of the three eyelashes which were causing her trouble.
An optometrist (for people) friend suggested that if we carry on plucking them out they might eventually cease to grow back - much like waxing hair thins it to a point where the follicle dies. Hopefully this will be the case!
 
I think there is a form of elecrolosis (sp) to help stop them growing back. Dont think I would like to pluck them myself surely its painfull for the dog. I have only heard of it being done under GA
 
The vet plucked them last night and she didn't mind at all... I was surprised as I thought it would bother her but she didn't fuss at all! People with minor distichiasis also pluck the hairs out themselves quite easily - I imagine the brief sting of plucking them out is nothing compared to them constantly rubbing on their eyeballs!
We will see how it goes when we do it ourselves next month - if she doesn't like it we will book her in to have them removed under general anaesthetic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top