Specialist insurance for dogs
Specialist insurance for dogs
Did you know that all dogs have a third eyelid (also known as a nictitating membrane) at the inside corner of their eye? This acts as a windshield wiper to help keep the surface of the eye moist and free of debris. But when the third eyelid becomes displaced, cherry eye can occur.
Vets refer to cherry eye as a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid. The third eyelid has a gland located in a deeper part of the membrane with a supporting flap of cartilage. This gland produces 30-50% of your dog’s tears, which are important to keep the eye healthy.
Cherry eye occurs when the third eyelid becomes displaced causing it to become pink and bulbous. It’s important to know that cherry eye is very different from a swollen third eyelid which tends to happen as a result of conjunctivitis or trauma.
Unfortunately, we don’t know what exactly causes cherry eye in dogs, but there appears to be a genetic component. It’s assumed that the way an eye is conformed increases the likeness of cherry eye. While any dog can develop it, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzus and other brachycephalic breeds (short-headed and flat-faced) are more predisposed.
There are a few symptoms of cherry eye you should look out for:
If you notice any of these symptoms you should visit a vet as soon as possible.
Once a dog develops cherry eye, it’s likely to develop it again. In fact, according to Eye Vet the majority of dogs that experience a prolapsed third eyelid gland in one eye will go on to have the same problem in the other eye.
If cherry eye goes untreated, dogs may face decreased tear production and difficulty in fully closing their eye. This can lead to eye infections and dry eye, which when severe enough can cause a lot of pain, pigmentation of the eye and even blindness.
Cherry eye is a treatable condition that ultimately requires an operation to replace the gland into its normal position. Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed initially to relieve swelling and discomfort.
For definitive treatment, surgery is required. It’s strongly recommended to have this completed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.
The surgery involves making a careful incision into the eyelid margin over the gland to replace the gland deeper into the orbit, then suturing the incision to close it. An Elizabethan collar will then be used to help your dog recover. If they manage to rub their eye, even when wearing the collar, they may need sedatives, home crating or hospitalisation to help them heal. Depending on how your dog heals they may need follow-up surgery.
Cherry eye surgery can cost between £300 and £1,500 depending on your vet, the type of treatment your dog needs and whether you need an emergency appointment.
Some vets may try various treatments before opting for surgery. These could include anti-inflammatory eye drops or ointments to reduce swelling and irritation. Lubricating eye drops also tend to be used. While these treatments can be helpful, it’s important to remember that they’re not a long term solution.
Unfortunately, we can’t do anything to stop cherry eye from occurring, but we can do things to stop it from happening again. This could include:
At K9 Cover, we may be able to cover specialist visits, surgery and treatments related to cherry eye. Complete our medical screening process to get a quote today and see how we can help.