My dog had distichiasis surgery. Will the abnormal eyelashes grow back?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Buddy he has been through a lot! A dermoid cyst is normal tissue located on an abnormal spot, on the eye is tends to be hair that grows on the surface of the eye. The dermoid cyst is removed via a keratectomy. That is usually curative. I think what your vet says Buddy has now are ectopic cilia, which are tiny hairs that have grown in an abnormal location and are irritating his eye causing pain. They can cause excessive tearing, blinking and can even scratch the cornea (surface of the eye). Another possibility is distichia. Distichia are abnormal rows of eyelashes that, due to abnormal conformation, rub against the cornea. If Buddy has symptoms the hairs should be removed. Electrolysis or cryosurgery is used to remove the offending hairs and is done at an Veterinary ophthalmologist. I hope this helps and I wish Buddy the very best! https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/health/distichiasis-and-ectopic-cilia https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2684

Hi there. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am not exactly sure what you mean. The eyelashes are not cut or removed for entropion surgery. The surgery entails taking a piece of skin from above or below the eye (depending where the issue is) and then the skin that is left is sewn back together to pull the eyelids into a more open position. The eyelashes are not touched. If you are referencing the hair that was shaved for surgery around the eyes, then yes, that hair will grow back. Can you post a photo of what you are talking about? Thank you.

Unfortunately this is a condition in which one of several procedures are recommended and they all require general anesthesia. There is no way to treat this at home without removing the offending eyelashes that are growing the wrong way. If you have not looked into CareCredit yet, this is a great option if you are having financial constraints. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

It looks like your pup is experiencing quite a bit of irritation from this problem. Unfortunately, if it is bothering his eye this much that it is watering and squinting, treatment is recommended, which involves using a special tool to kill the hair follicles so the hairs will not regrow. Other possible causes can be the eyelid rolling slightly inward (called entropion) resulting in lashes rubbing on the eye and this requires surgery to correct the eyelid conformation. Every vet doesn't have access to this equipment so you may need a specialist. This condition can predispose your dog to getting eye ulcers, which is another reason to have it treated if it is bothering him. Here is more info on this condition FYI http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2684

It is a little difficult to assess this based on the picture, but if that is a hair growing from the lid or the eye, this is what we call distichia. It is more commonly seen in dogs, but is rarely seen in cats. If untreated, the condition will eventually result in dry eye and ulceration of the corneal surface. While it is generally a surgical procedure to resolve the issue, the surgery is typically curative and something that you will not have to deal with ever again. Some veterinarians will not perform surgical procedures of the eye, so depending on where you go you may be referred elsewhere. In the meantime, try and keep Blueberry's eye nice and moist with artificial tears. Do not use anything medicated until you and your vet have determined that there is no ulceration on the eye's surface. Good luck with Blueberry!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Regardless if benign or malignant, removal should be considered to try to make her more comfortable. How likely it is to come back after removal will depend on what kind of growth this is and how malignant it is. Good luck and have a good night!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Often times skin growths like this one which appears to be a wart like growth do tend to come back even if they have been removed. These usually are nothing to be very worried about but can be a bit unsightly and may grow larger over time. These can be removed surgically or can also be removed by cryotherapy (or cold therapy) which is a less invasive way of removal. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!