Dogs often get pink or red bumps in their eye corners. Vets call this condition cherry eye. It happens to many dogs of different breeds. The issue looks scarier than it actually is. No need to panic when you first notice it on your pet.
Cherry eye has specific causes and several treatment options. Learning about this problem helps you make smart choices for your dog’s health.
What Is Cherry Eye in Dogs?
Cherry eye occurs when a tear gland pops out in your dog’s third eyelid. Dogs have three eyelids, not just two like humans. The third eyelid hides in the inner eye corner. A special gland in this eyelid keeps eyes wet and protected all day.
This displaced gland appears as a red or pink lump that resembles a cherry. Vets nicknamed the condition “cherry eye” for this reason. Doctors call it “prolapse of the third eyelid gland” officially, but that’s too many words!
Cherry eyes can affect just one eye or both eyes at once. Puppies and dogs under two years old get it most often. Sometimes the bump comes and goes several times before it stays out permanently.
Dogs rarely show pain signs with cherry eye. Some rub their eyes because it feels odd. Too much rubbing can harm the eye’s surface and cause bigger problems.
Causes
Why do some dogs get cherry eyes? No one knows exactly why it happens, but it’s often because the tissues holding the gland in place are weak.
Some breeds get cherry eye more than others. These include:
- Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
- Cocker Spaniels
- Beagles
- Boston Terriers
- Boxers
- Great Danes
- Lhasa Apsos
- Shih Tzus
- Basset Hounds
Dogs with flat faces (like Bulldogs) are more likely to get cherry eyes. Puppies under one year old have the highest risk.
Could allergies cause cherry eye? Maybe sometimes. When a dog has allergies, the gland might swell up. This swelling could make it more likely to pop out of place.
Treatments
Got a dog with cherry eyes? Here’s what you can do:
See Your Vet Right Away
Cherry eye isn’t an emergency, but you should still get to the vet soon. The longer the gland stays out, the harder it can be to fix.
Massage
Sometimes, a vet can gently push the gland back into place with massage. This works best when the cherry eye just happened. But if the gland keeps popping out, surgery is the best fix.
Surgery
Surgery is the main way to treat cherry eye. The vet creates a tiny pocket in the tissue and tucks the gland back where it belongs.
This surgery works well, especially in young dogs. About 90-95% of dogs are fixed after one surgery. Some breeds, like Bulldogs and Mastiffs, might need a second try.
What Not to Do
Years ago, vets would just remove the gland. Bad idea! That gland makes about 30% of your dog’s tears. Without it, many dogs get dry eyes, which can hurt their vision.
Good vets today never remove the gland unless there’s no other choice.
At-Home Care
While waiting for your vet visit:
- Put a cone on your dog to stop them from rubbing the eye
- Use eye gel from the pet store or pharmacy to keep the gland moist
- Watch for signs of pain or infection
What to Know
Both Eyes at Risk
If your dog gets cherry eye in one eye, there’s a good chance the other eye will get it too. But vets don’t do surgery on a normal eye to prevent cherry eye. That could actually cause problems!
Success Rate
When caught early, surgery works great. Almost all dogs do fine after one procedure. But waiting too long can make success less likely.
Cost
Surgery costs vary widely depending on where you live. Ask your vet for an estimate.
Long-Term Care
After surgery, your dog might need:
- Eye drops for a week or two
- A cone collar to prevent rubbing
- Follow-up vet visits to check healing
When to See a Specialist
Most regular vets can fix cherry eye. But you might need a veterinary eye doctor (ophthalmologist) if:
- Your dog’s cherry eye keeps coming back after surgery
- The gland has been out for months or years
- Your dog is a breed known for hard-to-fix cherry eye, like Bulldogs or Great Danes
- The third eyelid has other problems too
Conclusion
Cherry eye looks scary but don’t worry as it is fixable! The key is getting treatment fast. Quick surgery keeps the important tear gland working while fixing the ugly red bump.
Don’t try home remedies or wait for it to go away on its own. This is one problem that needs a vet’s help. With proper care, most dogs recover fully and never have issues again.
Has your dog had a cherry eye? The good news is that most pups bounce back quickly after treatment. Their eyes return to normal, and they can get back to their playful selves in no time. Just remember – quick action makes all the difference!
