How to Treat Cherry Eye in Dogs

Dogs have a third eyelid that houses a tear gland, located in the corner of each eye. This third eyelid can sometimes prolapse, and the result is commonly known as cherry eye. There is no definitive reason for this condition, but it is suspected that a weakness of the connective tissue that attaches the gland to the neighboring structures of the eye is the cause. The appearance of cherry eye is a round pink or red mass bulging from the corner of the eye closest to the nose. You can take steps to temporarily remedy this condition.

Instructions

1. Use a clean rag and warm water to create a warm compress. Close the dog's outer eyelid, and gently push on the corner of the eye where the cherry is located. This method sometimes pushes the gland back into place.

2. Take your dog to a veterinarian. Tacking the gland back into place with a suture most often remedies cherry eye in dogs. This procedure can be discussed and scheduled by you and your veterinarian.

3. Keep a close watch on your dog's eye to make sure the condition does not reappear. No matter what procedure is chosen, a follow-up visit with the veterinarian is needed to be sure there are no complications.

Tips & Warnings

• Certain dog breeds such as the beagle, shar-pei, bloodhound, bulldog and Boston terrier have a higher occurrence of cherry eye.

• If your dog presents with this condition, consider not breeding him, because the condition appears to be genetic.

• Even with surgery, there is a chance of the condition recurring.

• Dogs who have cherry eye can later develop dry eye, a condition resulting from slowed tear production. Signs of dry eye are redness around the affected eye as well as a thick mucus discharge.

References

• VetSpecialistsOfRochester.com: Ophthalmology Canine Conditions