Perhaps you've noticed a red swelling in the corner of your dog's eye. If it doesn't look serious, you may decide to "wait and see" rather than take your pup to your veterinary clinic. What should you do if it recedes and then it reappears? This condition is known as cherry eye because it resembles a cherry. Although it often comes and goes, it's best to address it early as it can damage the eye over time.

What Causes Cherry Eye?

Instead of two eyelids like a human eye, dogs have a third eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, which is located under the lower eyelid and adds extra protection for the eyeball. This third eyelid also contains a tear gland, which is attached to the eye socket by ligaments. Sometimes this ligament detaches, and the tear gland prolapses or pops out and becomes visible. It appears as a red cherry-like bump protruding out of the lower eyelid.

A cherry eye can be very small or as large as a dime, and it can be present in one or both eyes. It is often transient, meaning it comes and goes. It is more common in breeds with short muzzles, such as bulldogs, boxers, and pugs, as well as in toy breeds.

How Do You Treat Cherry Eye?

You may be tempted to ignore the cherry eye. In its early stage, it likely doesn't bother your furry friend or causes pain. Unfortunately, because a tear duct is involved, cherry eye can affect tear production and cause dry eye, which can result in an eye infection. Over time, the dry eye will become chronic and may cause your dog to scratch at it, which can further damage the eye. Therefore, you should consult with your veterinarian about addressing it.

Your vet may prescribe ointments and a saline solution to mitigate dryness, but these are just temporary solutions; they don't treat the cherry eye itself. Generally, your vet will recommend surgery. With the surgery, your vet should be able to reposition the tear gland and preserve its functionality. It's a fairly minor surgery, and you can expect a full recovery. However, you'll need to keep your pup quiet, no rough play, and he or she will need to wear an e-collar to prevent scratching and pawing at the eye.

You'll need to return to the vet hospital for a follow-up appointment to check the surgical site and ensure proper healing. But your pup should be back to normal (without the unsightly cherry) in just a couple of weeks.