Feline distichiasis treated with cryoepilation: A retrospective study of 15 cats (27 eyes).

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.