distichia/ eye lash removal?-- any experience to share?
Submitted by HOLLAND75 on June 15, 2012 - 11:02pmi think we will take this route with james (once the ulcer heals) jacinda shared it runs about $400-- what is the revovery time, side effects etc.? What is the procedure ? Any input is greatly appreciated!
__________________
Silverback's Immaculate Interception, "James"
General Anesthesia
They are not put totally under. They laser each lash. Not a big thing, you should have some eye drops or ointment to make sure no infection sets in and he will get some little crusties on his eye lids as it heals. A warm damp cloth compress, helps to get the crusties off. But this is nothing like entropian surgery. If he has lots of lashes, then they may have to do it again at some point down the road, but don't worry about that now.
Just did it
We just had cryoepilation done on our 8 month old at UC Davis. We have had an exceptional experience at UCD and the staff there. I cannot recommend them enough.Truth be told Ruby wasn't having any complications due to the extra lashes--yet (they were present on all 4 eyelid margins--oyi) but her face was constantly wet with tears...so we were hoping that would clear up. So far, we haven't noticed any real improvement with that...but I also know she won't be getting any ulcers due to the issue or that she's uncomfortable being super lash-y. Who'd want lashes rubbing their eyes, ulcers or not?!? Not me. As for price...well, we've spent >$1500 including the initial visit, procedure, meds and follow up visits. But we also have insurance on her that has paid for about $1000 of it. My only suggestion is going to an opthamologist that has a great reputaion with bulldogs and doesn't rush to split the lid...cryoepilation is the preferred method of treatment at this time. Like I said, we went to UCD which has an impeccable reputation. I will also mention that during Ruby's intital exam they found her lower tear duct wasn't open...so this was opened while she was getting her lids done.
DISTICHIASIS AND ECTOPIC CILIA - Cryoepilation
DISTICHIASIS AND ECTOPIC CILIA. Eyelids of dogs can grow abnormal hairs. These hairs grow from the oil glands (Meibomian glands) of the lids and are called distichia if the hair protrudes from the oil gland opening onto the edge of the eyelid. Distichia are often irritating, especially if the hairs are long and stiff. Ectopic cilia are also hairs growing from oil glands on the eyelid, but the hair protrudes from the inner surface of the eyelid and is very painful, often causing corneal ulcers.
Dogs with distichiasis may or may not show signs of discomfort, ranging from slight intermittent squinting and/or rubbing of the eyes, to severe squinting and discomfort. Dogs with ectopic cilia are always uncomfortable. Most dogs with ectopic cilia are young adult dogs or older puppies. Both conditions are common in Shih Tzus. Many other breeds have problems with distichia. At Animal Eye Care, both conditions are treated surgically under general anesthesia, with a procedure called cryoepilation. With this procedure, the abnormal hair follicles are frozen using a liquid nitrogen probe, and the hairs then removed.
After surgery, the eyelids are swollen for 4-5 days, and the eyelid margins will depigment and turn pink. Usually, the lid margins will repigment within 4 months. It is important to understand that new abnormal hairs can grow from new sites after surgery, but this is uncommon in dogs older than 3 years old (unless the dog is a Shih Tzu). With cryoepilation, 85-90% of the treated hair follicles will not regrow. Repeat surgical treatment is rarely required, unless the animal is a puppy (and grows new hairs in new sites) or a Shih Tzu
Good Info - That's Expensive
But its UCD. I would suspect in Hawaii that she doesn't have too many options.
THANK YOU everyone...good(ish) news...
the swelling went down and the eye looks better. still treating the ulcer but the lid looks normal-ish. we are going to make a race to get pet insurance and hope to hold this off for at least a little while. james meanwhile is so angry about being in the cone of shame that he wont even look at me!
the vet we saw friday thought the lashes looked good. our regular vet, the local bulldog doctor, seems to jump the gun. i asked my friend who works there to explain i am extremely nuerotic when it comes to my baby and statements like "he will need surgery" freak me out.
i cannot believe we have gone this long without insurance. well i guess i need someting to spend all the money growing on my money tree on!
Silverback's Immaculate Interception, "James"
Just fyi on pet insurance -
Just fyi on pet insurance - all companies are a bit different regarding deductibles/copays/waiting periods/coverages. But, I think they all have one thing in common - they don't cover pre-existing conditions (we have Trupanion and it definitely does not cover pre-existing conditions).
Double check before you buy it - it'll surely come in handy at some point in the future, just might not cover his current eyeball/eyelid issue.
thanks for the heads up--
i've heard the coverage can be pretty limited.
Silverback's Immaculate Interception, "James"
We recently had Maggie's done for the 3rd time
The vet's office did the cryo twice, but Maggie still had watery and bloodshot eyes. The vet suggested we consult with the opthamologist to see if they had a stronger cryo machine since the vet's machine had only one level of strength. The opthamologist did have a stronger machine & warned us that Maggie's eyes would be swollen and she would likely lose pigmentation for a few months. We had her surgery about a month ago and her eyes are SO much whiter and barely any watering now. I think it's made a huge difference for her. It cost us $775 at the opthamologist, but we have Trupanion also so we were reimbursed right about $700.