Species: Dog
Condition: Ectopic Cilia
Organ System: Nervous/sensory
Ectopic cilia occur when eyelashes emerge directly though the palpebral conjunctiva towards the inside of the eye, the affected dog can suffer from pain and over-production of tears. There will also be severe twitching of the eyelid, a condition known as blepharospasm. There may also be irritation of the cornea that can possibly lead to corneal ulceration. The problem is most common in the Shih Tzu. Cryoepilation has been found to be effective in treating ectopic cilia when dogs are treated after the age of 3. There are some cases when hair will grow again thereby requiring another round of cryoepilation. Since this is a genetic condition, affected dogs should not be allowed to mate.
Breeds exposed to Ectopic Cilia – Research Reference
Border Terrier Cross – (Johnson & Feeney 1984)
“Miniature Poodle Cross – (Gaudet 1985
Boston Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dachshund Cross – (ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)
Bouvier Des Flandres Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Chihuahua Cross – (Gaudet 1985
“Cardigan Corgi Cross – (Johnston
British Bulldog Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Pomeranian Cross – (Gaudet 1985
Pug Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
French Bulldog Cross – (Feldman & Nelson 1996)
Welsh Corgi – Pembroke Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Scottish Terrier Cross – (Feldman & Nelson 1996)
“Pekingese Cross – (Gaudet 1985
Welsh Corgi – Cardigan Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Yorkshire Terrier Cross – (Gaudet 1985
Boston Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bouvier Des Flandres – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
British Bulldog – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Greyhound – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pug – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Welsh Corgi – Cardigan – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Welsh Corgi – Pembroke – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
GREYHOUND RACING DOG – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Greyhound Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Sealyham Terrier Cross – (Feldman & Nelson 1996)
“Cocker Spaniel Cross – (Johnston
“Spoodle Cross – (Johnston
“Chihuahua – (Gaudet 1985
“Miniature Poodle – (Gaudet 1985
“Pekingese – (Gaudet 1985
“Pomeranian – (Gaudet 1985
“Yorkshire Terrier – (Gaudet 1985
“Cavoodle – (Gaudet 1985
French Bulldog – (Feldman & Nelson 1996)
Sealyham Terrier – (Feldman & Nelson 1996)
Scottish Terrier – (Feldman & Nelson 1996)
Dachshund – (ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)
Border Terrier – (Johnson & Feeney 1984)
“Cardigan Corgi – (Johnston
“Cocker Spaniel – (Johnston
“Spoodle – (Johnston
Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine
To learn more about Ectopic Cilia 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.
This information is accurate as at May 2014 and is subject to change without notice.
For Petmed Pet Health Insurance – pre-existing condition exclusion applies. Annual Benefit Limits and excess amounts vary based on pet health insurance plans.
