English Bulldog Ectopic Cilia and Cryoepilation

Christie H

Well-known member
May 29, 2014
1,084
38
Centerton, Arkansas, United States
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Wheezie Kay Wigglebottom and Zakk Abbott Wylde
Hi all -

So for the last year of baxters 2 years, he has had what I assumed was just a cute bully "squint". I noticed his right eye was always a little more closed, but everyone jokes that he's trying to look "smooth" in pictures :). I always thought he was just doing a "squishy face" squint that comes with all those rolls.

I noticed recently however that he was getting a lot more discharge out of that one eye, and when it caught the light at the park, it was glazed over with a white fog. Previously, vets (who do what doctors always do) just threw antibiotics at it, and assumed it was an infection. However doctors are never trained in finding the root cause of anything. So we went months thinking he just had some random eye infection, rather than exploring what truly was causing it.

Today I did what I do with my own health. I bypassed the pointless vets and went to an eye specialist. And it paid off.

After a thorough examination, they discovered that baxter has something called Ectopic Cilia. This is hairs that grow out of the glands around the eyelids and point inwards. This means Baxter has literally had something scraping his eyeball for over a year, and has been in extreme discomfort the entire time. Every time he blinks. Every day. All day. :( Upon hearing this I was absolutely crushed. I cant imagine having something stuck in your *EYE* every minute of every day for a *YEAR* :ashamed:

Apparently this is pretty common. He is scheduled for a surgery called "Cryoepilation". They freeze the follicle with liquid nitrogen and remove the hair. This prevents regrowth. She said all the infections would ultimately lead to ulcers and eventually blindness. See how doctors just treat symptoms and never bother trying to find the cause, and how that results in months/years of unnecessary discomfort? Glad I went to the specialist.

His surgery is on Friday, and we are finally going to neuter him that day as well. Here in San Diego hes literally not allowed anywhere public unless he's neutered. No dog parks. No dog beach. No doggy daycares. No interaction with other dogs at all. So we are stuck. But he's had prostate issues and he's well past 2 years now so I guess its okay.

I guess the bottom line is, if you notice clear discharge, a squinty red eye, and DEFINITELY if you notice fogging over of the eye - dont bother going to the vet. Google "dog eye specialists" with your city name, and bring your pup there. It may be this, and dear lord ... anyone who's had eye problems knows how horrible it is just to even function.

IMAGE_313.jpg
Our Abbott is 2 1/2 yrs old and has 3 surgeries for this and other procedures as well.He had his first surgery on both eyes.2nd on the right eye.Then he had the hairs on his right cut out and then they did a stitch procedure to fold his lid out but now its back .I was told by my optomologist that cutting is better because freezing has a higher potential for regrowth. They are talking Botox injections now but we are going to seek a more permenant fix.It just kills me to watch him squint all the time and his eye waters 24/7 so we battle fold irritation. So I feel your pain completely. Good luck with your baby [emoji2] [emoji190]
 

Most Reactions

📰 Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

Top