You & Your Pet by Dr. Wise

Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association 11 South Angell Street #347 · Providence, RI 02906 (877) 521-0103 (866) 277-0238 Toll-Free ·Fax

My 12-week-old Cocker Spaniel suddenly developed a red swelling along the lower part of his eye.  It doesn't appear to bother him.  I called the breeder and she said it was probably a cherry eye.   What is a cherry eye?

Congratulations on your new purchase.  I am sure he will give you many years of love and enjoyment.  You raise a very good question about your pet's eye. 

Dogs, like other domestic animals, have an extra eyelid called the third eyelid.  This extra eyelid lies behind the lower lid near the inside corner of the eye.  In most dogs you must look closely to see this structure.   Within the third eyelid is a gland which secretes tears that help to lubricate the eye and prevent it from drying.

A cherry eye happens when this gland becomes dislodged from its normal area within the third eyelid.  It protrudes from behind the third lid and looks like a small cherry, hence the term cherry eye.  This condition almost always happens in young dogs and is not painful.  Certain breeds such as the cocker spaniel, bulldog, beagle, lhasa apso, and shih tzu have a greater incidence of this condition.  It may occur in both eyes.

Treatment involves surgically replacing this gland into its proper location and suturing it in place.  Veterinarians in the past removed the gland to treat this condition, but in recent years have learned that this gland is important in tear production.  Therefore, removing the gland could result in a dry eye at an older age.  Visit with your veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment for your pup.

This information, prepared as a public service by the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, answers problems Rhode Island veterinarians currently are seeing in their practices, as well as new developments in animal care.