Cherry eye in dogs will almost always need to be treated surgically. Historically, cherry eye surgery just involved the veterinary surgeon removing the gland, but vets don't tend to use this technique any more.
To manage these quite simply, gently massage the cherry eye and many will pop back in.
While it might be tempting to try and avoid surgery, when it comes to cherry eye, ointment and topical treatments won't address the root problem and your pup will likely need surgery later anyway. According to Vygantas, once the gland is out of position, it's unlikely to resolve itself without surgery.
Your vet may temporarily prescribe topical lubricant medication to keep the eye and third eyelid moist and hydrated. Topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatories will treat any associated infection and pain/inflammation respectively. Infection and inflammation should be controlled ahead of surgical correction.
In general pet owners can expect the average cost of Cherry Eye surgery to average $300 to $500 for one eye and up to $800 for both2.
“Cherry eye,” as it is commonly referred to, is a prolapsed gland of the nictitans. It occurs after a tear gland in a dog's third eyelid becomes inflamed. While it is usually not extremely painful, sometimes a dog will rub at it as if it were itchy.
What causes “cherry eye”? The gland of the third eyelid is normally anchored to the lower inner rim of the eye by a fibrous attachment. In certain breeds, it is thought that this attachment is weak, which allows the gland to prolapse easily.
Recovery and Management of Cherry Eye in dogs
In the meantime, your dog will have to wear an Elizabethan Collar, also known as E-collars, until healing is complete (usually 14 days).
Removing the damp cloth, I *very* gently moved my thumb over her eyelid, putting almost no pressure on her eye, from the center of her closed eye towards the corner of her eye near her nose. I repeated this several times until I felt the third eyelid almost suck back into the right place.
When referred to an eye specialist, these surgeries can cost upward of $2,000. At Brisbane Pet Surgery however, we perform these procedures frequently, and they only take between 10 and 20 minutes. We charge approximately $550 - $650, depending on whether you have chosen a correction or removal of the gland.
An untreated “cherry eye” will have decreased tear production and possibly incomplete closure of the eye. This can cause eye infections and dry eye. The dry eye can be severe enough to cause a lot of pain, pigmentation of the eye and blindness. The treatment for a prolapsed nictitans gland is often surgical.
Treating Cherry Eye the Right Way
Often, the first step is to use anti-inflammatory eye drops. These eye drops can clear up the swelling. Still, it is sometimes best to resolve the problem more permanently by moving the out-of-place gland into the proper position.
Cherry Eye is a condition that can manifest and progress very quickly, and symptoms are strongly tied to what stage it is in. The nictitating membrane and attached tear glands do not move out of place slowly. They tend to do so quickly, often suddenly, which is what causes the tear gland to protrude in the first place.
Dogs usually heal from cherry eye surgery in about two weeks. You should routinely check in with your veterinarian to ensure a smooth recovery.
Pet owners who spot a red swollen mass in the inner corner of their pet's eye, large or small, should bring it to their veterinarian's attention promptly. In addition to causing irritation to the dog, this condition can have lasting consequences when left untreated.
Cherry eye looks unsightly but is not dangerous in the short term. Over the long term, though, the gland may become swollen and angry-looking.
Will Cherry Eye Go Away on Its Own or Without Treatment? No. Surgery is almost always necessary. However, in certain cases and when caught early, your veterinarian may prescribe a treatment plan first targeting the inflammation.
It's sometimes said that cherry eye can be resolved by carefully massaging the affected eye to reposition the prolapsed gland. Occasionally, the gland will correct itself on its own or will do so after a course of medication and steroids. But surgery is normally required.
Although this looks dramatic it is not painful, but the longer it is exposed in this position the more irritated the gland and eyelid becomes, causing conjunctivitis and increased ocular discharge. The resulting irritation may cause the dog to rub at the eye and damage it, resulting in bleeding or infection.
Symptoms of Cherry Eye in Dogs
Cherry eye can progress quickly. Your canine companion may rub or paw at his eye which can lead to an infection or bleeding. If you notice a red bulge appearing in your dog's eye, a veterinary visit is a must.
A red swelling protruding from the edge of the third eyelid is usually the first sign of a cherry eye. This may occur in one or both eyes. Some dogs may not have any other symptoms.
This condition, as you may have deduced, is called “cherry eye”. Cherry eye can be transient, meaning it comes and goes, or constant. It can also be in one or both eyes, although just under half of dogs with a cherry eye in one eye will develop in the other eye.
Recovery of Cherry Eye in Dogs
You may see one to two weeks of inflammation before the eye begins to regain its normal appearance, but 7 to 10 days of ointment application and 5 to 10 days of oral antibiotics will assure that the eye heals properly, and infection is avoided.