Cherry eye in dogs is a condition where the third eyelid gland (nictitating membrane) prolapses and becomes visible, appearing as a red or pink, swollen mass in the inner corner of the dog’s eye. While it may look alarming, it's usually not painful at first—but it does require veterinary attention.
👁️ What Causes Cherry Eye?
The gland of the third eyelid is normally held in place by connective tissue.
In some dogs, this tissue is weak, causing the gland to pop out of position.
It's more common in young dogs under 2 years of age.
🐾 Breeds Prone to Cherry Eye
Bulldogs (English, French)
Cocker Spaniels
Beagles
Lhasa Apsos
Shih Tzus
Great Danes
⚠️ Symptoms
Red or pink bulge in the inner corner of the eye
Increased tear production or eye discharge
Eye irritation or pawing at the face
Dry eye (in chronic cases if the gland is damaged)
🩺 Treatment Options
Surgical Replacement (Preferred)
The vet repositions and sutures the gland back in place.
Preserves gland function and prevents dry eye.
Surgical Removal (Less common)
Only done if the gland is severely damaged or cannot be saved.
Can result in chronic dry eye (KCS), requiring lifelong treatment.
💡 Topical treatments may reduce swelling temporarily, but surgery is typically needed to fix the issue long-term.
✅ Post-Surgery Care
Use prescribed eye drops or ointments
Prevent scratching with an Elizabethan collar (cone)
Monitor for recurrence (sometimes happens in the other eye)
🛡️ Prevention
There's no guaranteed prevention, but early treatment helps avoid complications.
Dogs with one affected eye often develop cherry eye in the other eye later.
