Abnormally Painful Bulldog Eyelash with Ulcer  Question

Answer for  Abnormal Eyelash in Bulldogs

Dear Rita

Merely treating your bulldog's corneal ulcer without addressing the root cause is insufficient. Your veterinarian should promptly eliminate the underlying cause by removing the abnormal eyelash.

COMMON ABNORMAL EYELASHES ARE:

• Distichia: an abnormal growth of eyelash from the edge of the eyelid.
• Trichiasis: misdirection of eyelash growth.
• Ectopic Cilia: growth of eyelashes inside the eyelid

These irregular eyelash conditions can be uncomfortable and painful, potentially leading to ulcers.

Ectopic cilia, located deep within the eye, pose a higher risk of corneal injury and are particularly challenging to detect.

It is advisable to have your bulldog undergo tear production testing as well.

It is advisable to have your bulldog undergo tear production testing as well. (Schirmer Tear Test) to rule out KCS

Answer for Abnormal Eyelash in Bulldogs MELTING CORNEA ULCER

A melting corneal ulcer occurs when a severe infection, such as harmful bacteria, establishes itself, causing a gradual deterioration of the cornea that can ultimately lead to complete perforation.

BULLDOG MELTER CORNEAL ULCER WARNING:

URGENT ALERT

Corneal ulcers in bulldogs and French bulldogs should be treated as emergencies.

INTENSIVE INTERVENTION:

Prompt and aggressive treatment is essential for bulldog and French bulldog corneal ulcers, given their tendency for rapid corneal degradation.

MELTING CORNEAL ULCER ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT:

A melting ulcer in bulldogs typically results from the presence of resilient bacteria that often show resistance to commonly used ophthalmic antibiotics.

MELTING CORNEAL ULCER GRAFT:

Treating a melting corneal ulcer may require a graft; this is a specialized surgical procedure that should be performed by a proficient ophthalmologist.

Bulldog Abnormal Eyelash TREATMENT:

Step #1 REMOVE ABNORMAL EYELASH:

It can be done manually with a tweezer, surgically, or by cryo-freezing it

EYELASH PLUCKING WARNING:

Employing tweezers to extract abnormal eyelashes may provide temporary relief, but there's a likelihood of new abnormal eyelashes regrowing from the same gland.

Utilizing cryofreezing or heating the gland after eyelash removal can prevent regrowth and provide enduring relief.

Opting for surgical dissection of the gland is also a choice, albeit a more invasive procedure that demands expertise, prolonged anesthesia, and sutures.

I will often also use a temporary entropion staples to rotated they eye outward

Step #2 TREAT THE MELTING CORNEAL ULCER:

Considering melting ulcers as emergencies is crucial. Commence with topical ophthalmic medication, such as...

1. Topical Antibiotics: ideally based on a culture sensitivity test
2. Autologous serum: your bulldog's own serum may support the regenerative processes, help reduce inflammation, and facilitate the healing of the corneal tissue.
3. Collagenase inhibitors: are medications that work to inhibit the activity of collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen
4. Grafting
5. Pain medication: analgesics, topical and oral

 

Melting corneal ulcers is very painful, so pain relief medication is critical

Step #3: AVOID SELF-TRAMUA:

Avoid itching and rubbing the eyes.

BUSTER COLLAR

Place a protective E-collar

BULLDOG SKINFOLD DERMATITIS:

Manage existing nasal & facial bully skinfold dermatitis with

• bulldog antiseptic skinfold wipes,

BULLDOG ALLERGIES & ITCH:

Control allergies with itch control medication

Step #4 PAIN MANAGEMENT:

Your bulldog may experience significant discomfort from abnormal eyelashes irritating the cornea, and melting corneal ulcers can cause exceptional pain. Therefore, it is advisable to employ both topical and oral pain management strategies.

Answer for  Abnormal Eyelash in Bulldogs  TREATMENT

Distichiasis is the abnormal growth of an eyelash on the eyelid, usually arising from the meibomian glands on the inner part of the eyelid. Among various treatment choices, cryosurgery emerges as the most commonly selected, straightforward, and cost-effective method.

SOLELY PLUCKING:

While plucking the distichia from the bulldog may provide temporary relief, there's a likelihood of regrowth. Therefore, opting for freezing the gland and eliminating the hair follicle should be regarded as a more effective and lasting solution.

PLUCKING & CROYSURGERY

Both can be done under mild sedation; there is usually no need for general anesthesia, and it's simple, effective, and inexpensive.

Answer for Reoccurrence of Abnormal Eyelash in Bulldogs:

Your reoccurrence question is valid; distichiasis may recur, and new eyelashes can emerge from different glands. In such instances, if necessary, the straightforward cryosurgery procedure (removing the abnormal eyelash and freezing the hair follicle) can be repeated.

ENTROPION SURGERY:

I frequently pair temporary or permanent entropion surgery with cryosurgery. Entropion surgery involves rotating the eyelids away from the cornea.

The rotation of the eyelids might potentially postpone or prevent future cryosurgery, even if a new distichia develops.

Answer for Abnormal Eyelash in Bulldogs: EYE ENUCLEATION

Enucleation, the removal of the eye, should only be considered as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted, and there is no possibility of saving the eye.

To learn more about bulldog abnormal eyelashes and corneal ulcers, please read my Abnormal Eyelashes & Ulcers in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs

Best of luck

Dr. Kraemer Vet4Bulldog

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