Dealing with a Dog's Cherry Eye: What to Do?

Should a Dog Undergo Cherry Eye Surgery? How Can We Determine If a Dog Will Develop Cherry Eye? Today's article will delve into the world of a dog's cherry eye.

What is Cherry Eye?

It's not just a piece of flesh that resembles a cherry. Inside a dog's third eyelid, there's a piece of tissue without muscle that secretes fluid to keep the eyes moist and clear of dust and debris. When this tissue becomes overly vascular, oversecretive, inflamed, obstructed by foreign objects, or affected by genetics, it can detach from the third eyelid, forming what we call cherry eye.

Cherry eye, like many diseases, is common in specific dog breeds, such as American Cocker Spaniels, Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and dogs with Mastiff ancestry.

So, what does cherry eye affect?

Rest assured, aside from affecting a dog's appearance, a typical cherry eye rarely leads to other diseases. However, there are exceptions. If left untreated and un cared for, conditions like corneal ulcers, dry eye, and eye inflammation can occur.

Don't worry, even though this glandular tissue has detached from the third eyelid, the part that remains beneath it still secretes fluid to keep the dog's eyes lubricated.

If the dog's parents have cherry eye, will the puppy get it too?

The likelihood of inheriting the condition is indeed high, but please note: if your dog hasn't developed cherry eye by the age of two, it's unlikely they will ever develop a hereditary cherry eye.

In other words, if a dog suddenly develops cherry eye after the age of two, it's likely that there's an underlying eye issue, and a vet visit is in order.

The Doctor Suggests Surgery – Is It Reliable?

Decades ago, doctors worldwide would recommend removing this piece of tissue. However, with advancements in technology, many veterinarians have found that removing cherry eye doesn't cure the condition and has a high recurrence rate.

More importantly, many dogs develop dry eye after surgery, which is exactly what happens when a dog's eyes are not properly lubricated – they become dry, itchy, and very uncomfortable. It can also leave scars on the cornea, potentially damaging the dog's vision.

So, what should we do?

Today, many hospitals recommend correcting cherry eye rather than simply cutting it out. However, because the surgery is complex and difficult to perform on the eye, the recurrence rate of this method, which involves suturing the tissue back beneath the third eyelid, is also high. Consider your options carefully.

Finally, should we just ignore it?

As mentioned earlier, cherry eye is not可怕, but if the tissue is left exposed to the air for a long time, it can dry out. This can lead to inflammation, causing damage to the cornea and ulcers. Additionally, inflamed eyes are more susceptible to infections, even blindness.

So, what can we conclude?

If a dog frequently develops cherry eye, it's advisable to seek veterinary care. If it only occurs occasionally, there's no need to worry; just ensure proper cleaning.