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Cherry Eye in Dogs This article is verified by a vet

Written by Franziska G., Veterinarian
Cherry Eye in Dog

© Justyna / stock.adobe.com

A so-called Cherry Eye in a dog presents itself as anything from a pale to a deep cherry red.

Encountering red swellings on a dog’s eyes can be quite alarming at first glance. But how serious is the so-called Cherry Eye in dogs? Discover all there is to know about the triggers and symptoms of this eye condition and what affected dogs need.

Table of contents

  1. What is Cherry Eye in Dogs?
  2. Is Cherry Eye Dangerous and Painful for Dogs?
  3. Which Dogs Are Prone to Cherry Eye?
  4. Recognising Cherry Eye in Dogs: Symptoms of the Eye Condition
  5. Diagnosis: How is Cherry Eye in Dogs Identified?
  6. Treatment: How is Cherry Eye in Dogs Treated?
  7. Causes: What Leads to Cherry Eye in Dogs?
  8. Prognosis: What Are the Chances of Healing?
  9. Prevention: Can Cherry Eye in Dogs Be Avoided?
  10. Recognising and Avoiding Painful Breeding Practices

What is Cherry Eye in Dogs?

Dogs have a third eyelid located at the inner corner of the eye, also known as the nictitating membrane. This membrane houses the nictitans gland, which is responsible for tear production.

When the nictitans gland swells for various reasons, it can protrude beyond the white edge of the membrane. Veterinarians refer to this as nictitans gland hypertrophy or Cherry Eye, due to the resemblance of the gland’s base to a red cherry.

Is Cherry Eye Dangerous and Painful for Dogs?

Let’s start with the good news: Cherry Eye is generally painless for your dog and is not an immediate emergency. Nonetheless, it’s worth letting your vet take a look at your pooch’s changed eye. This is because it can be indicative of various underlying health conditions.

Also, an untreated Cherry Eye can dry out your dog’s eyes, leading to Keratoconjunctivitis sicca—a chronic dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea. This can be very uncomfortable for your pet and cause damage to the eyes.

Which Dogs Are Prone to Cherry Eye?

While Cherry Eye in dogs can develop due to various causes, and thus affect any dog, it often appears in younger dogs.

Furthermore, it’s believed that breed plays a role in the incidence of Cherry Eye in dogs. Veterinarians frequently diagnose the condition in two particular groups:

Rottweiler dog with nictitans gland prolapse or © Mary Swift / stock.adobe.com
A nictitating membrane gland prolapse can occur in one eye or, as with this Rottweiler, in both eyes.

Recognising Cherry Eye in Dogs: Symptoms of the Eye Condition

Cherry Eye in dogs can occur in one or both eyes depending on the cause. You’ll easily spot it by the red swelling that appears beneath the third eyelid. Since this condition bothers your dog, it might frequently scratch its eye or squint. Consequently, the affected eye may redden and produce tears.

When Should I Visit the Vet?

If you notice such changes in one or both eyes of your dog, it’s important to consult your vet early to prevent health issues such as blindness.

Diagnosis: How is Cherry Eye in Dogs Identified?

? Cherry Eye is immediately noticeable and hence, can be recognized at first glance by veterinarians. Therefore, further diagnostic steps are usually not necessary.

However, finding the underlying illness is crucial, which may require additional diagnostic tests. An eye exam is advisable for identifying any injuries or tumors in the eyes.

What’s the Difference Between Cherry Eye and Prolapse of the Nictitating Membrane in Dogs?

Dog owners often use the terms Cherry Eye and prolapse of the third eyelid interchangeably. Strictly speaking, though, they refer to two different occurrences.

  • With Cherry Eye, on the other hand, the gland of the third eyelid protrudes, presenting as a red swelling.
  • In a prolapse of the third eyelid, the third eyelid itself prolapses and extends as white to slightly reddish skin to the middle of the eye.

Treatment: How is Cherry Eye in Dogs Treated?

In the best-case scenario, the nictitans gland will settle back down on its own, eliminating the need for further treatment. If it doesn’t, the vet can assist. A local anaesthetic will be used to tuck the slightly swollen nictitans gland back into place.

Surgical Fixation

If your dog’s nictitans gland is significantly swollen and prolapsed, surgical correction should be undertaken within a few weeks. Since your dog’s eyes are very sensitive, this procedure always takes place under general anaesthesia.

Once the dog is asleep, the vet can apply various techniques, one of the most common being:

  • Small incisions to create a pocket under the eyeball
  • Carefully placing the swollen nictitans gland into this pocket
  • Depending on the degree of swelling, securing the gland with sutures

Note: The nictitans gland is essential for moistening the eye, and its removal is now considered outdated due to the negative impact on the eye through dryness.

Post-surgery Care: Supporting the Healing Process

  • Following the operation, your vet will prescribe antibiotics in the form of eye drops or tablets, anti-inflammatories, and pain relief based on how the surgery went.
  • To prevent scratching and ensure complete healing, fit your dog with a cone collar.
  • Also, keep your dog away from dusty areas. Here, special, protective dog goggles can be useful.
  • Do not bathe your dog post-operation to prevent water from getting into the eye.

What Complications Can Occur During Surgery?

Apart from redness and swelling, Cherry Eye surgery usually does not lead to further complications. On rare occasions, wound infections, suture failures, or the formation of cysts may occur. Corneal defects are also possible.

What Does a Cherry Eye Surgery Cost?

The cost of a Cherry Eye operation depends on various factors, including:

  • The chosen surgical technique (unilater pocket technique or bilateral pocket technique)
  • Possible complications during the surgery

In the UK, the cost for relocating and securing a nictitans gland typically ranges between £1200 and £2000. This total includes expenses for supplies, medication, anaesthesia and other related costs.

Tip: Obtain an estimate from your vet before undergoing the procedure.

Can I Treat Cherry Eye in My Dog Myself?

Due to the costs associated with Cherry Eye surgery, many dog owners wonder if they can massage or push the Cherry Eye back in place themselves. Although well-intended, these self-attempts generally have the opposite effect.

Since there’s a risk of injuring your dog’s eye, you should avoid self-treatment and consult a vet instead.

Causes: What Leads to Cherry Eye in Dogs?

Various causes can lead to swelling and protrusion of the nictitans gland in dogs. Often, an issue in the connection between the base of the third eyelid and the eye socket plays a role.

Inflammations and Injuries

Eye inflammations can also cause prolapse of the nictitating membrane in dogs. Additionally, injuries from foreign bodies such as grass awns are possible triggers for changes in the nictitating membrane.

Tumours as a Cause

Though rare, tumours of the nictitating membrane can lead to Cherry Eye. Lymphosarcoma is particularly significant in this regard.

Is Cherry Eye Hereditary?

Cherry Eye may have a genetic component, especially in brachycephalic dog breeds with deformed heads. The shallower eye sockets and shorter noses of these dogs lead to different spatial relationships that can affect the nictitans gland.

Prognosis: What Are the Chances of Healing?

If Cherry Eye is treated early, the prognosis for your dog is generally positive. However, the underlying disease significantly impacts the chances of recovery, making generalisations difficult.

Furthermore, symptoms can recur, which is why regular eye checks for your dog are essential.

Prevention: Can Cherry Eye in Dogs Be Avoided?

Given the numerous possible triggers, it’s impossible to completely prevent Cherry Eye. However, you can preemptively ensure good eye health for your dog by regularly checking its eyes.

Also, consider the following tips:

  • After walks, check if any foreign bodies have entered your dog’s eyes while frolicking in the sand or forest.
  • If your dog is prone to dry eyes (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca), consult your vet about suitable eye ointments or drops.

Recognising and Avoiding Painful Breeding Practices

To prevent Cherry Eye, consider the breeding practices when getting a dog. Veterinarians define painful breeding as breeding traits that cause pain, suffering, or damage to the animal. Brachycephalic dog breeds are typical examples, as they are prone to genetically induced breathing, tooth, skin, eye, and ear problems. To avoid inflicting such cruel suffering on dogs, take the time to learn about painful breeding practices in dogs before selecting a breeder.

This article from zooplus Magazine is purely informative. If your pet is experiencing discomfort, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

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Franziska G., Veterinarian
Profilbild von Tierärztin Franziska Gütgeman mit Hund

At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.

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