Painful Cherry Eye

Cherry eye is a condition that can occur in dogs. It affects one or both of a dog's eyelids. It results when the nictitans gland in the eyelid slips out of place and swells, appearing red in color. The gland is responsible for tear production. Regardless of its unpleasant appearance, cherry eye isn't painful unless the exposed gland becomes infected. Surgery is usually needed to replace or remove the gland.

  1. Occurrence

    • According to Petplace.com, the condition is prevalent in younger dogs under the age of 2. While any dog can get cherry eye, American cocker spaniels, beagles, Newfoundlands and miniature poodles are among the breeds most prone to the condition.

    Causes

    • Peteducation.com says the precise cause is unknown, however, cherry eye is most often attributed to a weak ligament attached to the gland causing it to become prolapsed. Some dogs inherit the condition from their parents. It can also happen when the eye becomes inflamed from an injury.

    Signs

    • The most obvious sign of cherry eye is a red tumor projecting from the corner of your dog's eye. The dog's eye may also appear watery and a mucus discharge sometimes drains from the eye. Redness around the lining of the eyelid is possible. The dog may paw at its eye to provide relief.

    Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian generally performs a complete exam of the eye and compares its function with the normal eye to assess the extent of the damage to the eyelid.

    Treatment

    • A dog with cherry eye needs surgery to either reposition or remove the gland completely. Gland repositioning is preferred to removal as the gland provides needed moisture to the eye.

      Drug therapy alone isn't an effective remedy for gland replacement; however, an anti-inflammatory medication is commonly used to reduce eyelid and gland swelling prior to surgery. Your dog may be fitted with a protective collar post surgery to prevent it from pawing at its eye until it's fully healed.

      When the gland stays in place for at least a month following surgery, then the condition likely won't reoccur and the long-term prognosis is good.