14/07/2021
Cherry eye is where there is a mass protruding from under the third eyelid of dogs or cats. It is a swelling of the lymphoid tissue of the third eyelid gland. The third eyelid is like a windscreen wiper for the eyes of cats and dogs that sweeps across the eye every time the animal blinks. In Cherry eye, the lymphoid tissue becomes swollen due to chronic inflammation such as allergic conjunctivitis or some other allergic condition. This swells so much it flips over the third eyelid and looks like a red “cherry” that disfigures the dog.
The condition is non-life threatening but does disfigure the dog or cat and cause pain and we strongly recommend any animal with this issue is seen by our Barfy Animal Clinic Vet team. It can cause chronic discomfort, is prone to eye infections and reduced vision if it covers enough of the eye. Often it happens in the other eye at a later date or can occur in both eyes simultaneously.
Treatment with a cortisone containing ointment may be initially prescribed but this may have a poor response. Surgical treatment involves placing the third eyelid gland into a pocket created surgically for the gland to sit down into.
It’s a very delicate, skilled surgery, had a beautiful job done by Dr. Jean.
He was soon back in the recovery ward being cared for by the nursing team and looking forward to life without a Cherry eye.