Why your dog might have a cherry eye

Does your dog have a red lump in the corner of their eye? This could be cherry eye, a condition where the tear glands on the inside of the dog's third eyelid become inflamed. If you suspect your dog has cherry eye, or you're just curious to learn more, keep reading!

What is cherry eye?

Cherry eye, also known as prolapsed tear gland, appears as a pinkish-red swelling in the corner of your dog’s eye, near the nose. It's called cherry eye because the swelling can look like a cherry.

Cherry eye happens when the glands inside your dog's eyelids become inflamed. This causes them to swell up and appear as a red blob. The swelling can develop quickly and sometimes grow large enough to rub against the cornea, risking corneal ulcers.

While any dog can get cherry eye, it's more common in younger dogs and certain breeds.

What should I do?

Although the swelling might look alarming, it usually doesn't bother your dog. However, you should contact your vet if you suspect cherry eye.

Sometimes, cherry eye resolves on its own without treatment. Other times, your dog might need help, such as eye ointment or even surgery. Your vet will examine your dog's eye to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes for the swelling.

If the swelling irritates your dog and they try to scratch their eye, you'll need to fit them with a cone collar to prevent further damage or worsening of the condition.