Distichiasis is one of the more commonly missed explanations for a French Bulldog that keeps getting eye ulcers.
Why it is easy to overlook
The hairs are fine, often pale, and grow from the eyelid margin itself rather than the normal lash line. Without magnification they are genuinely difficult to see, so a dog can go through several rounds of ulcer treatment before anyone finds the cause.
If your dog has had more than one unexplained corneal ulcer in the same eye, ask specifically whether the lid margins have been examined under magnification.
Not every case needs treating
Plenty of dogs have distichia that are soft, lie flat against the eye and cause no irritation at all. Those are best left alone. Treatment is for hairs that are stiff, that point directly at the cornea, or where there is demonstrable damage.
Why plucking is not the answer
Pulling the hairs gives a few weeks of relief and then they regrow, often stiffer. Cryoepilation destroys the follicle itself, which is why it is the durable option despite being more involved.
Signs to look for
- Persistent watering and tear staining
- Squinting or excessive blinking
- Rubbing the eye
- Recurrent corneal ulcers with no other explanation
- Fine hairs visible along the eyelid margin under good light
What causes it
- Abnormal differentiation of the meibomian glands, producing hair where oil should be
- Inherited predisposition in brachycephalic breeds
How it is diagnosed
Examination under magnification, often with a slit lamp, since the hairs are fine and easily missed. Fluorescein staining identifies any corneal damage they have caused.
Treatment options
- No treatment where the hairs are soft and causing no irritation
- Cryoepilation — freezing the follicle — which is the treatment of choice
- Electroepilation for small numbers of hairs
- Manual plucking as a temporary measure only, since hairs regrow within weeks
- Lubricants and antibiotic drops for secondary ulceration
Reducing the risk
- Not preventable in an individual dog
- Avoid breeding from severely affected animals
- Treat before repeated ulceration causes corneal scarring
Insurance: Often identified during investigation of a recurrent corneal ulcer, so it may be linked to that claim rather than treated as a new condition.
What we would actually buy
Lifetime cover with per-condition limits that hold up against a single IVDD surgical episode. Compare the per-condition limit rather than the headline annual figure.
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Common questions
What is distichiasis in dogs?
Extra eyelashes growing from the oil gland openings on the eyelid margin, angled inwards towards the cornea. Where they are stiff enough to contact the eye, they cause chronic irritation and recurrent ulceration.
Does distichiasis always need treatment?
No. Soft hairs that lie flat and cause no irritation are best left alone. Treatment is indicated where they contact the cornea, cause discomfort, or produce recurrent ulcers.
Related reading
This page is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different. If you are worried about your French Bulldog, speak to your vet.