Cherry Eye Is A Common Term For Prolapse Of The Third Eyelid Gland.
The telltale sign of cherry eye or prolapse of the tear gland of the third eyelid is a fleshy pink swelling at the corner of the eye, she explains. Some dog breeds carry a higher risk of developing cherry eye than others. When a tear gland prolapses, we call it ‘cherry eye’ because it can look a bit like a cherry sitting in the corner of the eye!
Treatment Should Not Be Delayed.
In fact, 83% of canine patients who present with cherry eye are less than 1 year old. Cherry eye in dogs occurs when the connective tissue of the nictitating membrane tear gland is damaged or weak. The main symptom of cherry eye in dogs is the swollen and protruding third eyelid resembling a cherry pit.
How To Know If Your Dog Has Cherry Eye.
Cherry eye in dogs is a disfiguring, but not painful, condition in which the third eyelid containing a tear gland has prolapsed causing a red bulge in the corner of the eye. Cats are rarely affected, but it has been reported in burmese and persian breeds. The most common breeds affected are cocker spaniels, bulldogs, beagles, bloodhounds, lhasa apsos, mastiffs, shih tzus, and other brachycephalic breeds.
The Swelling May Come And Go, But Can Lead To Complications If Left Untreated.
As a result, you will notice a red or pink swollen mass. Although an eye injury can lead to cherry eye in dogs, this is not the most common cause. The gland is held in place by connective tissue.
While Cherry Eye Cannot Be Prevented, It’s Treatable With Surgery, And The Prognosis Is Best When It’s Caught Early.
Cherry eye can affect any dog, but different factors can cause it to happen. Cherry eye is caused by the rupture of the ligaments that keep the third eyelid in place. In simple words, cherry eye in english bulldogs is the nonmedical term that describes a prolapsed “nictitating membrane” or third eyelid.
