All dogs are born with a tear producing gland within the third eyelid. This gland produces 60% of the eye’s tears and is vital to keep the eye healthy. Cherry Eye is a painful eye condition in dogs where this gland prolapses (pops out) and stops working properly. This guide will take you through the causes, symptoms and treatment for Cherry Eye and what you should do if your pet develops the condition.
Causes of Cherry Eye
Cherry Eye doesn’t have any particular causes, although is more likely to develop in certain dog breeds such as:
Symptoms of Cherry Eye
Unlike some other eye conditions in dogs, Cherry Eye is very easy to spot. The prolapsed gland will look like a red or pink small bump sitting in the corner of your dog’s eye. This can happen very quickly and in the early stages, can pop back in and out before prolapsing permanently.
You might find that your dog is pawing or rubbing at their eye more often, or may not be able to close their eye. It can happen in one or both eyes, but will usually develop before one or two years of age.
When to Contact Knutsford Vets
Like with all eye conditions, it’s important to contact your veterinarian as soon as you spot the issue. Left untreated, eye conditions can become severe and painful, and in extreme cases, could leave your dog blind.
If you think that your dog has Cherry Eye, call Knutsford Vets immediately on 01565 337999.
Treatments for Cherry Eye
Surgeries where the gland is completely cut out (we do not recommend this) result in KCS 50% of the time, usually between 6 months and 3 years post-surgery.
The success rate of this procedure is 95%, but a very small percentage of dogs sometimes require multiple surgeries to correct the problem.
Post-Operative Care and Outlook
After surgery your dog will need to wear a buster collar to ensure that their eye can heal undisturbed. You may also be given eye drops to keep the eye moist, as well as antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection. Anti-inflammatories may be prescribed to settle any swelling.
It is important to note that if your dog has had Cherry Eye in one eye, they are at risk of developing it in the other. It is also important to keep your dog’s eyes moist. Check their tear production and use hydrating eye drops as necessary.
