What’s commonly referred to as cherry eye in dogs is when a dog has a red, swollen, painful-looking gland in their eye. French Bulldogs and the other brachycephalic breeds are most affected with cherry eye and, though it looks excruciating, it’s more uncomfortable and itchier for your dog than painful.
With that said, it will require treatment – often of the surgical kind. PD Insurance offers cover for a range of illnesses and accidents, depending on your plan. Though we don’t specifically cover cherry eye surgery, we’re all about educating pet parents on a wide range of stuff that could affect their pets. So, let’s dig our paws into what exactly it is and how you can help your doggo treat it.
In this article
What causes cherry eye in bulldogs and other dogs?
First off, did you know that each and every breed of dog has a third eyelid?
And of course, this has a complicated medical name – a nictitating membrane. Makes you feel smart just saying that out loud doesn’t it? This third eyelid is in their lower eyelid and it offers additional protection for a dog’s eyes, as well as promoting oxygen supply and tear production to the eye.
Basically, cherry eye in dogs is a prolapsed gland of the nictitans. It’s more likely to occur in dogs under one year old, and veterinarians aren’t quite sure what leads to the prolapse.
Prolapsed gland of the nictitans? Huh!?
Let’s break it down. A prolapse is when an organ or part of the body is displaced from its normal position. So the gland of the nictitans, which is the gland of the third eyelid, is displaced.
Usually, the gland of the third eyelid is attached to the inner rim of the eye by a little fibre. The issue is that, in the breeds mentioned above, it’s believed this attachment is weak. Because of this, the gland is prone to prolapse quite easily.
PS: Know if your dog may be at risk of any hereditary and congenital conditions, here.
Treatment of cherry eye in dogs
The treatment involved in correcting cherry eye in dogs will normally be a minor surgery to reposition the gland to its normal location.
If you notice cherry eye we recommend you get your furball to your vet right away. It’s really important to treat the condition as soon as possible.
This is because the third eyelid gland produces a lot of water to keep your pooch’s eyes from drying out. In fact, up to 50%! Without this additional water production, your dog is prone to dry eye – a serious condition that can permanently impair their vision.
Regardless, if this condition is left untreated it can cause further problems such as infections like conjunctivitis. The other reason to treat cherry eye in dogs quickly is that your poor pooch may try and scratch or paw at it. This could lead to other infections and possibly more damage to the eye.
After surgery
Luckily for our furbabulous fur kids, the gland returns to normal function within a few weeks. Just bear in mind that with cherry eye in dogs there’s always the chance of a re-prolapse that might require additional surgery.
Something to keep in mind is that if an animal has a prolapse in one eye, they’ll eventually get it in the other eye.
Sadly, there’s nothing that can be done besides being aware of this and prepared for surgical replacement of the third eyelid gland. This minor surgery is always the first choice of treatment due to the risk of developing dry eye if the gland is surgically removed.
Can cherry eye go away by itself?
You may be wondering whether cherry in dogs could resolve itself without surgery. If the cherry eye is just starting, you could try carefully massaging the affected eye to reposition the prolapsed gland.
Sometimes, the gland will correct itself on its own. Your vet may also prescribe a course of medication and steroids. But usually, cherry eye in dogs will need surgery to correct.
Cherry eye FAQ
No, cherry eye in dogs isn’t contagious. It’s caused by a gland slipping out of place, not by an infection, so it can’t spread between dogs. It might affect both eyes in the same dog, but other pets won’t catch it.
It’s still worth getting a vet to look at it, as it can cause irritation if left untreated.
Yes, cherry eye is often hereditary. It’s linked to weak connective tissue that holds the gland in place, which can run in certain breeds. Dogs like Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and Shih Tzus are more prone to it.
So while it’s not guaranteed, genetics can definitely play a role.
You generally can’t fully prevent cherry eye, especially if a dog is genetically prone to it.
What you can do is reduce the chances of irritation or worsening. Avoid rubbing or pressure on the eyes, keep the eye area clean, and treat any eye infections or inflammation early. Regular vet checks help catch issues before they get worse.
If a dog is high risk, prevention mostly comes down to monitoring and early treatment rather than stopping it completely.
Transparent cover you can trust
We’re all about giving pet parents info on a wide range of health issues that can affect their fur kids – even on issues we don’t necessarily cover, or that might not be covered on a specific plan.
With that said, we’re pet people too and know how frustrating it can get when it’s not clear what’s covered or not. That’s why we keep things transparent, so you always know what you’re in for. As mentioned, we don’t cover cherry eye in dogs. But we do cover a wide range of other things that can affect your pet:
- Our Accident Plan covers accidents (like your pet being hit by a car) and damage your pet may have caused to someone else’s pet or stuff
- One level up is our Classic Plan, which covers everything the Accident Plan does plus illnesses. You also get a higher annual benefit limit.
- And finally, there’s our Deluxe Plan – which covers everything in the Classic Plan plus dental. The benefit limit is also much higher.
Choosing a pet insurance plan is all up to your budget, and you can always consult our Policy Wording and Certificate of Insurance (‘COI’) to check what’s covered or not.
PLUS, if you sign up with us, you can get 1 month free pet insurance – no matter what plan you choose. Not to mention we have some amazing discounts if you insure more than one pet. We even offer a switching fee if you’re swopping over from a different insurance provider!
For insurance that’s clear and uncomplicated, get a quote below.