Distichiasis in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Distichiasis
Organ System: Nervous/sensory

A congenital abnormality of the eyelashes. They grow from unusual places or in unusual direction on the eyelids. Normally, eyelashes are growing from the upper eyelid margin, directed away from the eyeball. Dogs affected with distichiasis have additional rows of eyelashes, multiple eyelashes growing from one opening and even emerging from the lower eyelid. When the eyelashes are directed towards the eyeball, they are irritating and damaging the cornea. The vet will proscribe eye drops to protect the cornea or surgical correction of the distichiasis to eliminate the problem altogether. The prognosis is good and most dogs recover completely.

Breeds exposed to Distichiasis – Research Reference
German Shepherd Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Alsatian Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Cairn Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boxer Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Newfoundland Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Welsh Corgi – Pembroke Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Scottish Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund- Long Haired Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Welsh Corgi – Cardigan Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – Smooth Haired Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – Wire Haired Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – Wire Haired – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boxer – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Cairn Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dachshund – Long Haired – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – Smooth Haired – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Great Dane – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Newfoundland – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Scottish Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Welsh Corgi – Cardigan – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Welsh Corgi – Pembroke – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
German Shepherd – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Alsatian – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund- Long Haired – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Great Dane Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dachshund – Long Haired Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Distichiasis or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.