Reynolds BD, Annear MJ, Caruso KA, Whittaker CJ, Irving WM, McCarthy PM, Smith JS.
Feline distichiasis treated with cryoepilation: A retrospective study of 15 cats (27 eyes).
Vet Ophthalmol 2024. [PMID:
38424032 DOI:
10.1111/vop.13202]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical features of cats diagnosed with distichiasis and report on the outcomes following cryoepilation.
ANIMALS STUDIED
Fifteen cats (27 eyes).
PROCEDURES
Medical records of domestic cats with distichiasis that underwent a double freeze-thaw cycle with a -80°C cryoprobe applied to the palpebral conjunctiva, with hair then epilated were retrospectively studied. The patient signalment, distichiae locations, concurrent ocular diseases, recurrences, complications, and outcomes were recorded.
RESULTS
The mean (std dev) age at the time of diagnosis and treatment was 2.2 years (2.8 years). All (15/15) cats were of the domestic shorthair (DSH) breed. Concurrent ocular findings at the initial examination were observed in 17/27 (63%) eyes, with upper lateral eyelid hypoplasia the most prevalent, present in 9/27 (33.3%) eyes. Recurrence of distichiae occurred in 8/27 (29.6%) eyes. The clinical presentation in the instances of recurrence was judged as asymptomatic and not of a clinical concern in 3/27 (11.1%) eyes, with a second procedure deemed necessary to alleviate symptoms in 5/27 (18.5%) eyes. All eyes treated with a second procedure had no recurrence of distichiae or symptoms. Complications following cryoepilation occurred in 4/27 (14.8%) eyes, with two cats developing bilateral entropion post-procedure.
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of distichiasis in cats utilizing cryoepilation was effective at alleviating symptoms, though some cats needed a second procedure. The development of post-procedural entropion was seen occasionally.
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