Understanding Cherry Eye in Dogs: Why This Sweet Cane Corso Struggles to Find a Home
Cleo, a Cane Corso with a gentle nature, has been waiting over a year for her forever home at Sacramento’s Norcal Bully Breed Rescue. Despite her sweet temperament and striking dark coat, Cleo’s eye conditions have kept potential adopters away.
For more than a year, Cleo has struggled to find interest from adopters, largely due to her noticeable cherry eye in both eyes. Unfortunately, her eye issues have worsened, and she now suffers from entropion, a painful condition where her eyelashes grow inward, causing irritation and discomfort.
Cleo’s best chance at a pain-free life and finding a family hinges on receiving surgery to correct both conditions. The rescue estimates the procedure will cost around $3,000. In an effort to raise funds, Norcal Bully Breed Rescue has turned to social media, asking supporters to donate and help cover the cost of Cleo’s much-needed surgery.
Cleo Now Suffers From Entropion
What Cleo needs is eye surgery as soon as possible. The rescue aims to treat the canine’s entropion and also fix the cherry eyes so that she could soon have better chances of landing a forever home. The total cost of the surgery is estimated to be $3,000.
In order to get help for the surgery costs, the rescue posted on Instagram urging people to come forward and donate whatever amount they can towards Cleo’s surgery.
Source: @norcalbullybreedrescue
Awaiting Surgery and Hoping for a Brighter Future
Many people responded positively to the rescue’s appeal and donated funds for Cleo. More than a week later, the rescue posted an update on Facebook. They shared that they were grateful for the donations and are in the process of scheduling the dog’s surgery.
In the meantime, Cleo is enjoying her time at her foster home, where she gets immense love and care. She plays with her foster fur sibling, Cairo, and receives plenty of belly rubs from her foster mom. The rescue hopes she will be free of her eye problems soon and will go to a loving forever home.
Cleo’s large size may seem intimidating, but her heart is just as big. She’s incredibly affectionate with both humans and other dogs, and she truly deserves a loving home. If you can help, please consider donating to her Instagram fundraiser to cover the cost of her much-needed surgery, or even better, give this wonderful girl the forever home she deserves.
If you’d like to know more about cherry eyes in dogs, keep on reading.
What is Cherry Eye in Dogs?
Cherry eye is a condition where the third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, prolapses, according to Small Door Veterinary’s medical experts. Normally hidden in the corner of a dog’s eye, this membrane produces tears. In dogs with cherry eye, the membrane becomes enlarged and protrudes, resulting in a swollen pink mass appearing in the corner of the eye.
Symptoms of Cherry Eye in Dogs
As you may see in images of cherry eye in dogs, the eye condition is characterized by a distinctive “cherry pit” appearance in the corner of your dog’s eye, nearest the nose. This swelling may be intermittent or permanent, and if left untreated, can lead to complications.
Common symptoms to watch for:
- A smooth, round, pink-colored mass in the corner of the eye
- Thick eye discharge
- Your dog trying to paw at the affected eye
It’s crucial to seek veterinary attention if you notice any unusual eye symptoms, as they can also be indicative of more severe conditions, such as eye trauma, foreign objects in the eye, and potential vision loss or even eye loss.
What Causes Cherry Eye in Dogs?
Dr. Ryan Llera and Dr. Ernest Ward assert that the cherry eye occurs when the third eyelid gland prolapses due to a weak fibrous attachment to the lower inner rim of the eye. This anatomical vulnerability affects certain breeds, including:
- Brachycephalic breeds (e.g., English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug)
- Cocker Spaniel
- Boston Terrier
- Beagle
- Bloodhound
- Lhasa Apso
- Shih Tzu
The weak attachment allows the gland to easily protrude, resulting in cherry eyes in dogs.
How to Diagnose Cherry Eyes?
A veterinary diagnosis of cherry eye typically involves a comprehensive eye examination, particularly in young dogs and susceptible breeds. Your veterinarian may perform:
- Clinical examination: Visual assessment of the dog’s eyes
- Schirmer tear test: Measures tear production because cherry eyes can develop dry eye
- Fluorescein stain test: Detects corneal scratches or ulcers
These tests ensure the overall health of the eye and help identify potential complications in dogs with cherry eyes, such as reduced tear production, corneal scratches or ulcers, and risk of infection or perforation.
How To Treat Cherry Eye in Dogs?
The best treatment for cherry eye in dogs is surgery. Treatment for early stage cherry eye in dogs typically involves surgically replacing the third eyelid gland. Dr. Llera and Dr. Ward state, “It is essential to treat the condition as soon as possible to minimize permanent damage to the eye or third eyelid gland.”
Surgery for cherry eyes in dogs is essential “because the third eyelid gland produces up to 50% of the watery portion of the tear film.” Insufficient tear production can lead to dry eye, a condition that can severely impair vision.
When replacement techniques are ineffective or a prolapsed gland has been dysfunctional for too long, surgically removing the gland may be necessary. Your veterinarian will likely consider this a last resort, as it can have long-term consequences for your pet’s tear production capabilities.
Recovery And Management After Cherry Eye In Dogs Surgery
The outlook for pets undergoing third eyelid gland surgery is generally positive. Typically, the gland returns to normal function a few weeks post-surgery.
Possible Complications and Recurrence
- 5-20% of dogs can face prolapse of the third eyelid gland again needing another surgery
- Prolapse in one eye often leads to prolapse in the other eye as well
How To Prevent Cherry Eye in Dogs?
While the cherry eye cannot be prevented, vigilant monitoring can help identify potential issues early on, especially if your dog is part of a breed prone to this condition.
Certain breeds are more susceptible to cherry eye, and these same breeds often face increased risks for other eye conditions, including:
- Entropion (eyelid rolling)
- Distichia (abnormal eyelash growth)
- Dry eye
When you regularly inspect your dog’s eyes, you can catch potential cherry eye cases early, identify other ocular conditions before they become severe, and ensure prompt veterinary care for optimal treatment outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the cherry eye in dogs painful?
Cherry eye, or prolapsed third eyelid gland, is typically painless, explains Dr. Brittany Grenus. However, it can lead to uncomfortable secondary issues, including corneal ulcers and chronic dry eye, which can cause significant distress and discomfort for your dog if left untreated.
What are home remedies for cherry eye in dogs?
Dr. Deborah Brown declares that cherry eye cannot be cured at home. You can take some measures before and after your dog’s surgery. Keep your dog’s eye surface clean with twice-daily gentle bathing using cooled boiled water and a cotton pad. Apply eye lubricant (e.g., Viskyal, Lubrithal, Lacrilube) 1-4 times daily. Use a cone collar and limit exercise to lead walks, avoiding dust and wind.
How to treat cherry eye in dogs without surgery?
As per New Hope Animal Hospital, veterinarians may use anti-inflammatory eye drops for cherry eyes in dogs “to clear up the swelling.” However, surgery is still the best treatment option because no surgical treatment can lead to reduced tear production, resulting in dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). This condition can significantly impair vision and cause discomfort for your dog.
What is cherry eye, and why do dogs develop it?
Cherry eye occurs when the third eyelid gland, responsible for tear production, prolapses due to weak connective tissue. Certain breeds, like Lhasa Apsos, are more prone to develop cherry eye due to genetic factors affecting the tissue’s strength.
What are the treatment options for cherry eye in dogs?
Treating cherry eyes typically involves surgery to reposition the prolapsed gland. While some mild cases may temporarily respond to medication, surgery is often recommended to prevent further complications. The most common surgical techniques include the pocket technique and the anchoring method.
What is the pocket technique for cherry eye surgery?
The pocket technique is a surgical approach used to treat cherry eye by creating a pocket in the tissue surrounding the gland. This allows the gland to be tucked back into place, reducing the risk of recurrence while preserving tear production.
Can cherry eye be treated without surgery?
While non-surgical options, such as anti-inflammatory medications, can reduce swelling temporarily, they do not resolve the underlying issue of weak connective tissue. Surgery is usually required for long-term treatment of cherry eye to prevent permanent damage to the eye.
Are certain breeds like Lhasa Apsos more likely to develop cherry eye?
Yes, breeds such as Lhasa Apsos are genetically predisposed to develop cherry eye due to weak connective tissue around the third eyelid gland. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help prevent complications.
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