Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Thermal electrocautery treats dog eyelid hair problems safely
By Zimmerman, Kelli L & Reinstein, Shelby L·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2019·University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of transconjunctival thermal electrocautery for treatment of canine distichiasis: 88 eyelids (2013-2016).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with a condition called distichiasis, where extra eyelashes grow in the wrong place and irritate the eye, underwent a treatment called transconjunctival thermal electrocautery (TCEC). Out of 50 eyes treated, 96% showed improvement after just one treatment, and 69% had no further issues at follow-up. Some dogs did experience mild swelling or temporary changes in eyelid color after the procedure, but most remained symptom-free. This treatment proved to be effective and straightforward for managing distichiasis in dogs.
People also search for: dog eye problems distichiasis treatment · TCEC for dogs · dog eyelid surgery recovery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a successful, simple treatment for canine distichiasis. ANIMALS STUDIED: Client-owned dogs presenting to Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Levittown, Pennsylvania. PROCEDURE: Retrospective analysis of medical records for canine patients that underwent transconjunctival thermal electrocautery treatment (TCEC) for distichiasis alone or with concurrent eyelid surgery between 2013 and 2016. Fifty eyes of 26 dogs (n = 88 eyelids) were included in the study. Sixty-five eyelids (74%) were treated for distichia only, while 23 eyelids (26%) underwent concurrent eyelid surgery. Successful treatment was defined as resolution of clinical signs attributable to distichiasis. Forty-eight of 50 eyes (96%) were successfully treated with a single TCEC treatment (mean follow-up 187 ± 222 days). Sixty-one of 88 eyelids (69%) had no distichia at any follow-up time. Twenty-two eyelids (25%) had recurrence at or near a previously treated site (mean 150 ± 152 days). Of the eyes with recurrent distichia, all but 2 (91%) remained asymptomatic, requiring no further treatment. One dog with extensive TCEC treatment had significant recurrence on all eyelids requiring retreatment that resulted in focal entropion of 1 eyelid. Transient eyelid margin pigment loss and mild-to-moderate eyelid swelling were noted in all treated eyelids postoperatively. Suspected treatment site infection occurred 2 days postoperatively in 2/50 eyes (4%) of 1 patient. Two of 10 eyes (20%) with extensive eyelid treatment developed qualitative tear film deficiency OU (554 days postoperatively) and responded to topical tear stimulant therapy. CONCLUSION: TCEC is a successful, simple treatment for canine distichiasis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29493866/