Trichiasis, Distichiasis, and Ectopic Cilia in Dogs  

Trichiasis, distichiasis, and ectopic cilia are eyelash disorders that are found in dogs. Trichiasis is in-growth of the eyelashes; distichiasis is an eyelash that grows from an abnormal spot on the eyelid; and ectopic cilia are single or multiple hairs that grow through the inside of the eyelid. In all of these conditions, the eyelash hair can come into contact with and damage the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye.

These conditions are commonly seen in young dogs but dogs of any age or breed may be affected. However, trichiasis does tend to appear more frequently in Pekingese, English cocker spaniel, pugs, and bulldogs; distichiasis is common in cocker spaniels, miniature long haired dachshunds, English bulldogs, golden retrievers, toy and miniature poodles, Shetland sheepdogs and Pekingese; and ectopic cilia are more commonly found in dachshunds, lhasa apsos, shih tzus, boxers, golden retrievers, and Shetland sheepdogs.

Symptoms and Types Trichiasis

• Change in pigmentation of the iris (colored portion of the eye)
• Abnormal ticking or twitching of the eyelid (blepharospasm)
• Overflow of tears
• Swelling of eyes

Distichiasis

• Mostly no symptoms can be seen
• Stiff cilia (eyelash)
• Pawing at eye
• Abnormal tick or twitch of eyelid (blepharospasm)
• Overflow of tears (epiphora)
• Increased blood vessels in the cornea
• Change in iris pigmentation
• Corneal ulcers

Ectopic cilia

• Eye pain
• Severe abnormal ticking or twitching of the eyelid (blepharospasm)
• Overflow of tears (epiphora)

Causes

• Facial conformation and breed predisposition
• Unknown etiology in many cats

Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will carefully inspect the eye structures and eyelashes to discern exactly which eyelash disorder your dog has. The diagnosis is usually straightforward in most cases. Your veterinarian will perform a Schirmer tear test to measure tear production and evaluate whether the affected eye is producing enough tears to keep it moist, and a fluorescein stain over the surface of the eye to make corneal ulcers visible. Determination of intraocular (within the eye) pressure is also an important test in evaluating the eye. This test will allow your veterinarian to evaluate the level of fluid pressure inside the eye. More specific testing may be performed to evaluate both the superficial and deep structures of eye.

Treatment
Eliminating the eye irritation will resolve symptoms in most cases. In case of trichiasis, in some patients the hair will be cut short to prevent eye irritation. In others patients surgery may be required for correction of the defect.

In distichiasis no treatment is usually required. Hairs that have been mechanically plucked will regrow within four to five weeks, and will need to removed again. In some cases of distichiasis, surgery may be required. For example, in cases where the hair is a frequent irritation to the surface of the eye.

In case of ectopic cilia, surgery is the preferred method for removing the ectopic eyelash hairs.

Living and Management
Observe your dog's eyes and consult your veterinarian if you notice any recurrence of symptoms. Keep the eyes clean, either with fresh water, or with a veterinarian recommended eye wash. In cases of distichiasis, re-growth is common, in which case you may need to revisit your veterinarian for follow-up care.

Interstitial Cystitis in Cats, Feline Interstitial Cystitis (FIC)
Feline interstitial cystitis, sometimes called feline idiopathic cystitis or FIC, is an inflammation of the bladder that causes symptoms of lower urinary tract disease. However, in the case of interstitial cystitis, a definitive cause for the disease cannot be identified.

Feline interstitial cystitis can occur in both female and male cats. It is a chronic disease that can be difficult to treat and frustrating for cats and cat owners alike.

Symptoms and Types
Symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis include:

• Frequent attempts to urinate
• Straining to urinate
• Urinating in inappropriate places in the house
• Crying out during attempts to urinate
• Blood-tinged urine

Causes
Though the cause of feline interstitial cystitis is not fully understood, stress and the changes inherent in the body as a result of stress are thought to play a large part in interstitial cystitis. Some researchers believe that interstitial cystitis is only one of the manifestations seen in cats suffering from stress and may only be the “tip of iceberg” in terms of symptoms that may be caused by stress. Abnormalities have also been found in the nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems of cats in addition to the urinary system. It remains unknown why some cats develop symptoms of FIC and others do not.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis relies on ruling out other diseases that may cause similar symptoms, such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and other bladder abnormalities in cats. Testing that is frequently performed include:

• A blood screen, including a complete blood cell count (which examines the different types of cells circulating in the blood stream, such as red blood cells and white blood cells) and chemistry profile (which is useful in evaluating the function of major organs such as the liver and kidneys)
• A urinalysis, which checks for abnormalities in the urine, including blood, crystals, protein and other abnormal substances as well as testing the pH (which determines how acidic the urine is),  and the urine specific gravity (which determines whether the urine is concentrated or not)
• An abdominal X-ray and/or an ultrasound exam of the bladder to rule out stones and other abnormal structures in the bladder

TreatmentTreatment consists primarily of modifying the environment to help reduce stress levels, dietary modifications, medications for pain, and other pharmaceuticals that may alter your cat’s mental state.

Multi-modal environmental modifications (MEMO) is the term that is used to describe altering the cat’s environment in an attempt to reduce the cat’s stress level. See the Living and Management section below for more information about MEMO.

Pain medications are often used in treating interstitial cystitis to relieve the discomfort caused by the inflammation within the bladder and urinary tract and make your cat more comfortable while urinating.

Dietary modifications are often necessary and you should follow your veterinarian’s directions if a special diet is recommended. Increasing water consumption is an important part of treatment and feeding canned food, when possible, will help increase the moisture content in your cat’s diet.

Pheromones such as Feliway are often recommended to help reduce stress levels for your cat.

Other medications that your veterinarian may advise include amitriptyline, clomipramine or fluoxetine, all of which are antidepressants. These medications are generally reserved for cases where MEMO, dietary modifications and pain medications have failed to help.

Living and Management
MEMO involves providing for all of your cat’s basic needs.

Litter box management is a necessary part of environmental modification.

• Provide an adequate number of litter boxes. There should be one more litter box than the number of cats in the household.
• Most cats prefer a large litter box over a smaller one.
• Make sure the sides of the litter boxes are not too high for your cat. This is especially important for older cats that may suffer from arthritis or other mobility issues and for young kittens.
• Choose an appropriate litter for your cat. The ideal litter is dust-free and fragrance-free. Strongly scented litters may be pleasant for you but not for your cat. You may have experiment with different types of litters to find the one your cat prefers.
• Be sure to clean the litter boxes frequently.
• Place all litter boxes in a quiet location where your cat will not be disturbed or frightened when using the box.

Provide feeding and water stations that are accessible for all cats in your household. If you have more than one cat, you may need to provide more than one feeding and water station.

Cats prefer perches, preferably at eye-level or above, on which to rest and observe their surroundings. Be sure to provide an adequate number of perches for all the cats in your household. Consider placing one or more of these perches near a window for your cat’s enjoyment.

All cats need hiding places. Your cat should have a place to retreat where he will not be disturbed by people or by other pets. In a multi-cat household, be sure there is an adequate number of hiding places for all cats.

Provide interactive toys for your cat. Food puzzles are also helpful to provide distraction for your cat and also provide exercise.

 

Aspirin Toxicity in Cats
Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, has been found to have beneficial effects for some animals. It has been used for conditions related to blood clotting, inflammation, and for its analgesic properties. However, it can also be toxic to the body. Once ingested, aspirin forms salicylic acid, which is then distributed throughout the body. Aspirin toxicity is a particular concern in cats because they lack the enzyme critical for metabolizing salicylic acid properly. Cat owners must follow their veterinarian's orders strictly if aspirin is prescribed for any reason.

Symptoms and Types
The progression of symptoms can occur quickly. One of the first noticeable signs is loss of appetite. Other signs include vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal hemorrhagebrought on by ulceration in the stomach and small intestines. The central nervous system may also be affected, causing your cat to have trouble walking, appear weak and uncoordinated, or even collapse. Loss of consciousness and sudden death can also occur.

Since even nontoxic levels can produce these symptoms, You will need to monitor your cat for any digestive problems or changes in behavior when giving your cat aspirin for any medical reason. If a significant amount of aspirin is ingested, emergency medical treatment will be necessary.

Diagnosis
If you know, or even suspect that your cat has ingested aspirin, and your cat is showing apparent symptoms of toxicity, diagnostic tests should focus on the severity of the toxicity. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. Usually an affected cat will be anemic, with electrolyte abnormalities, in addition to showing a reduction in the blood's ability to clot properly.

Treatment
Cats treated within 12 hours of ingestion, and which are presenting limited signs of distress, can have the concentration of aspirin in the body decreased through a prescribed treatment of decontamination. The sooner this care begins, the better. Your veterinarian may recommend that you decrease the amount of aspirin in the body by inducing vomiting at home before coming to the clinic, or the vomiting may be induce in the clinic. By inducing vomiting, or pumping the stomach (gastric lavage), your veterinarian will be able to remove as much aspirin as possible, lowering the chances of permanent injury. Activated charcoal may be given after vomiting to absorb some of the remaining aspirin.

Medications to encourage healing, or to protect the gastrointestinal lining are also generally prescribed. Depending on your cat's status, fluids and other supportive treatments may also be necessary. Hospitalization and repeated blood analysis will often be standard until your cat is stable.

Living and Management
Aspirin has several clinical uses. It can be prescribed as a pain reliever, an anti-inflammatory, an anti-platelet blood thinning agent, and for lowering an abnormal body temperature. If aspirin is being used for a chronic condition, such as for preventing a blockage of the blood vessel (arterial thromboembolism), it is important to follow your veterinarian’s directions. Reducing or discontinuing the aspirin dosage may be necessary if your pet is showing a susceptibility to toxicity.