Caruncular Trichiasis in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Caruncular Trichiasis
Organ System: Integument

Also called aberrant dermis, this is a condition characterized by the growth of long soft hairs from the lacrimal caruncle. The clump of hairs acts as a wick that allows tears to stain the face of the affected dog. The hairs don’t seem to cause damage to the dog’s cornea because of the very soft texture, however there are experts that believe them to be a potential source of corneal pigmentation and chronic mild keratitis. Brachycephalic dogs are predisposed to the condition. The line of treatment involves surgical removal of the caruncle, or destruction of the associated hair follicles using cryotherapy. The latter mode of treatment can lead to localized depigmentation.

Breeds exposed to Caruncular Trichiasis – Research Reference
“Golden Retriever Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Rubin 1989
“Labradoodle Cross – (Rubin 1989
“Cheasapeake Bay Retriever Cross – (Rubin 1989
Anatolian Karabosh Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Chow Chow Cross – (Beachley & Graham 1973)
“Labrador Retriever Cross – (Rubin 1989
American Akita Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Boston Terrier Cross – (Rubin 1989
Siberian Husky Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Beachley & Graham 1973)
Akita Inu Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
St Bernard Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Setter Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Shetland Sheepdog Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Morgan 1989)
Irish Red and White Setter Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Akita Inu – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Australian Shepherd – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Golden Retriever – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Rubin 1989
Irish Setter – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Shetland Sheepdog – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Morgan 1989)
Siberian Husky – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Beachley & Graham 1973)
St Bernard – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Red and White Setter – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Anatolian Karabash – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
American Akita – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Golden Doodle (Groodle) – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Rubin 1989
Japanese Akita – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Labrador Cross – (Rubin 1989
Great Dane Cross – (Speiss et al. 1998)
Australian Shepherd Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Samoyed Cross – (Beachley & Graham 1973)
“Labrador – (Rubin 1989
Chow Chow – (Beachley & Graham 1973)
Samoyed – (Beachley & Graham 1973)
Great Dane – (Speiss et al. 1998)
“Cheasapeake Bay Retriever – (Rubin 1989
“Boston Terrier – (Rubin 1989
“Labrador Retriever – (Rubin 1989
“Labradoodle – (Rubin 1989
Japanese Akita Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Caruncular Trichiasis or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.