Itchy lashes eye-opener
QMy two-year-old retriever has some abnormal eyelashes that have been causing him to squint and rub at his eyes. My vet has removed them a few times but they keep growing back. She recommends a specialist to see if something permanent can be done. Do you have experience with this problem?
AThis condition is called distichiasis. It causes abnormal eyelashes to grow from the eyelids and rub against the outer layer of the eye.
How much of a problem this is depends on the number of abnormal eyelashes and how thick they are.
In mild cases there is minimal irritation which can be managed by using an eye lubricant on a daily basis.
If the irritation becomes more severe it causes pain and discomfort, and symptoms such as eye rubbing, excessive tears and squinting.
This can lead to serious consequences, such as corneal ulceration.
I used to pluck these lashes and try to destroy the roots using electrocautery, but this was rarely successful. What often happened was that the hairs grew back within six weeks. But improvement, even if temporary, had the advantage of confirming the diagnosis.
Another condition, ectopic cilia, can produce similar signs, but they are often more severe. Ectopic cilia grow from an abnormal position on the inside of the eyelid and irritate the cornea, and are difficult to locate and treat without a surgical microscope.
Specialist surgical removal of abnormal eyelashes and roots has a very high success rate.
QIt’s been very upsetting to lose my two young cats recently, which my vet diagnosed as probable antifreeze poisoning. I’d be grateful if you could remind other cat owners about possible signs of poisoning.
ATo lose two cats in this way is very sad and upsetting, and unfortunately not uncommon.
The toxic ingredient in antifreeze is most commonly ethylene glycol. Cats can come into contact with antifreeze from accidental or careless spillage.
They may like the taste and lick it, or simply walk through a small puddle and then groom their paws.
Very small amounts are potentially lethal without prompt emergency treatment, within a few hours of ingestion. Signs of poisoning appear within an hour with vomiting, and over the next 12 hours the cat may display a staggering gait, and tremors.
This is followed in 12-24 hours by extreme dullness, breathing difficulties and a very fast pulse.
Between 24-72 hours, kidney failure occurs with further vomiting, collapse and a poor prognosis.
Kidney failure is caused by calcium oxalate crystals severely damaging kidney tissue. The crystals are formed by the breakdown of ethylene glycol in the body.
Diagnosis is based on a history of contact with antifreeze (if known), blood tests and presence of crystals in urine, but this is often too late, even with intensive treatment.
Antifreeze needs to be handled and disposed of carefully.
Any unused product must be locked in a cupboard, not on a shelf, as a cat may dislodge it.
Spills must be cleared up immediately.