Cherry eye in dogs: symptoms and treatment

Key takeaways

• Cherry eye occurs when the tear gland inside a dog's third eyelid slips out of its normal position, creating a red or pink swelling in the corner of the eye.

• The condition is more common in certain breeds, including Bulldogs, Beagles, Shih Tzus and Great Danes, but any dog can develop it.

• Animal Trust lists cherry eye surgery at £535 for one eye and £740 for both eyes, including specified anaesthetic, inpatient care and medication costs.

• Some pet insurance policies cover cherry eye, but hereditary conditions, pre-existing conditions and bilateral exclusions may affect your cover.

• Contact your vet as soon as you notice signs of cherry eye. Don't try to treat or reposition the gland yourself.

What is cherry eye?

Cherry eye is a condition where the tear gland inside a dog's third eyelid prolapses, meaning it moves out of its normal position and becomes visible.

Dogs have three eyelids: an upper eyelid, a lower eyelid and a third eyelid, which sits in the inner corner of the eye. The third eyelid contains a gland that produces tears to help keep the eye lubricated and healthy.

When this gland slips out of place, it creates a red or pink lump that resembles a cherry, which is how the condition gets its name.

Cherry eye can affect one eye or both. Although the swelling may initially seem minor, the exposed gland can become irritated and inflamed. If the condition isn't properly managed, your dog may be at greater risk of developing dry eye and other eye problems.

If you think your dog has cherry eye, contact your vet for advice rather than waiting for it to disappear on its own.

What causes cherry eye in dogs?

The exact cause of cherry eye isn't fully understood, but the condition is often associated with inherited weakness in the connective tissue that holds the tear gland in place.

This is why certain breeds are more susceptible than others. Cherry eye is also commonly seen in younger dogs, although it can develop at other ages.

The condition isn't generally caused by poor diet, a lack of exercise or something you've done wrong as an owner. However, keeping your dog healthy and arranging veterinary care when you notice symptoms can help support their overall wellbeing.

What breeds are more likely to get cherry eye?

Any dog can develop cherry eye, but some breeds are more prone to the condition because of their inherited characteristics.

Breeds that may be more susceptible include:

• Basset Hounds

• Beagles

• Englishand French Bulldogs

• Cocker Spaniels

• Great Danes

• Mastiffs

• Pekingese

• Pugs

• Rottweilers

• Shih Tzus

This isn't an exhaustive list, and being a member of one of these breeds doesn't mean your dog will definitely develop cherry eye.

If you're considering getting a dog from a breed that's more prone to the condition, it's worth understanding the potential veterinary costs and comparing pet insurance options before taking out a policy.

What are the symptoms of cherry eye in dogs?

Cherry eye is often recognisable because it causes a visible red or pink swelling in the inner corner of the eye. However, other eye conditions can cause similar symptoms, so it's important to get your dog checked by a vet.

Signs to look out for include:

• A red or pink lump: A rounded swelling appears in the corner of the eye.

• Redness and irritation: The eye or surrounding tissue may look inflamed.

• Eye discharge: You may notice watery eyes or discharge around the affected area.

• Rubbing or pawing: Your dog may try to rub their face or scratch at the affected eye.

• Squinting or blinking: Your dog may blink excessively or keep the eye partly closed because of discomfort.

• Dryness: Problems with tear production can affect the health of the eye.

Cherry eye can occur in one or both eyes, and symptoms may vary in severity.

When should I take my dog to the vet with cherry eye?

Contact your vet as soon as you notice a new lump, swelling or other change around your dog's eye. Eye problems can worsen quickly, and prompt assessment can help prevent complications.

Seek urgent veterinary advice if your dog appears to be in significant pain, is keeping their eye closed, has a cloudy-looking eye or develops sudden changes in their vision.

Don't attempt to push the gland back into place yourself or use human eye drops unless your vet specifically advises you to.

Is cherry eye painful for dogs?

Cherry eye can cause irritation and discomfort, although the level of discomfort varies between dogs.

Some dogs may initially show few obvious signs beyond the visible lump. Others may rub their eyes, squint or become distressed as the gland becomes inflamed.

If the condition persists, it can interfere with normal tear production and increase the risk of dry eye and other complications.

It's important not to assume cherry eye is painless just because your dog is still eating, playing or behaving normally. Contact your vet if you notice any symptoms so they can assess the condition and recommend appropriate treatment.

How is cherry eye treated in dogs?

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and your vet's assessment.

Eye drops and medication

In some mild cases, your vet may recommend lubricating or anti-inflammatory eye drops to help manage irritation and keep the eye comfortable.

These treatments may help in selected cases, but they don't necessarily correct the underlying problem. Your vet will advise whether monitoring or further treatment is appropriate.

Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment when the gland remains prolapsed or is causing ongoing problems.

The procedure usually involves repositioning the tear gland and securing it inside the third eyelid. Preserving the gland is important because it contributes to tear production, and removing it can increase the risk of dry eye.

Most dogs recover well after surgery, although the gland can occasionally prolapse again and require further treatment.

Your vet may recommend a specialist veterinary ophthalmologist if the condition is complicated or hasn't responded to previous treatment.

What is recovery like after cherry eye surgery?

Your vet will give you instructions for caring for your dog after surgery. This may include:

• Giving prescribed medication or eye drops as directed.

• Using a protective collar to prevent your dog from rubbing or scratching their eye.

• Keeping the affected area clean and following your vet's aftercare advice.

• Attending any recommended follow-up appointments.

Contact your vet if your dog's eye becomes increasingly swollen, painful or discharges more than expected during recovery.

How much does cherry eye treatment cost?

The cost of treating cherry eye depends on the veterinary practice, whether one or both eyes are affected and the treatment your dog needs.

Animal Trust lists cherry eye surgery at £535 for one eye and £740 for both eyes. Its prices include general anaesthetic, standard inpatient care, medication given during admission, fluids if required and standard take-home medication, including pain relief. You can check the details on Animal Trust's cherry eye surgery price list.

These prices provide a useful guide, but they aren't representative of every veterinary practice. Your total bill may vary depending on your location, the complexity of the procedure and whether your dog needs additional consultations, medication or follow-up treatment.

Ask your vet for an estimate that explains what's included and whether any extra costs may apply.

Top tip: If you're concerned about the cost of treatment, speak to your vet about your options and check whether your pet insurance covers cherry eye surgery before proceeding, if your dog's condition allows.

Does pet insurance cover cherry eye?

Some pet insurance policies cover cherry eye treatment, including surgery, but it depends on the policy terms and your dog's medical history.

Cherry eye can be associated with inherited characteristics, and some insurers may exclude hereditary or congenital conditions. Others may offer cover subject to specific conditions, limits or additional premiums.

Here are the main things to check before buying a policy.

Pre-existing conditions

If your dog has already developed cherry eye, or has shown symptoms before your policy starts, the condition may be treated as pre-existing and excluded from cover.

Taking out insurance before your dog develops symptoms can give you more options, although cover is never guaranteed and waiting periods and exclusions still apply.

Read our guide to what pet insurance covers to understand the types of treatment different policies may include.

Bilateral conditions

Bilateral conditions are those that affect both sides of the body. Cherry eye can develop in both eyes, sometimes at different times.

If your dog has had cherry eye in one eye before you take out insurance, an insurer may exclude the condition in both eyes or apply other restrictions. This depends on the insurer's definition of a bilateral condition and the policy wording.

Always ask the insurer how it treats conditions that can affect both eyes before purchasing cover.

Hereditary and congenital conditions

Some insurers exclude conditions that are inherited or present from birth, while others may cover certain conditions subject to their terms.

Because cherry eye is associated with inherited tissue weakness, check whether hereditary and congenital conditions are excluded, covered or subject to special limits.

What type of pet insurance might cover the cost of cherry eye treatment?

The level of cover you choose also matters:

• Lifetime pet insurance: Typically provides an annual vet-fee allowance that renews each policy year, provided you renew the policy and meet its terms. Cherry eye may still be excluded.

• Maximum-benefit insurance: May cover eligible conditions up to a set financial limit, with restrictions on how much is available for treatment.

• Time-limited insurance: May cover eligible illnesses for a specified period, subject to the policy limits and exclusions.

• Accident-only insurance: Usually covers eligible injuries caused by accidents rather than illnesses or conditions such as cherry eye.

No policy type guarantees cover for cherry eye. Read the policy documents carefully and check the limits, exclusions, waiting periods and excess before buying.

For more information, browse our pet insurance guides.

Can cherry eye be prevented in dogs?

Unfortunately, there's no guaranteed way to prevent cherry eye because the condition is often associated with inherited weakness in the tissue supporting the tear gland.

However, there are steps you can take to look after your dog's eye health:

• Check their eyes regularly: Look for unusual redness, swelling, discharge or changes in appearance.

• Arrange prompt veterinary care: Contact your vet if you notice symptoms rather than waiting for them to worsen.

• Follow aftercare instructions: If your dog has surgery, follow your vet's advice to support recovery and reduce the risk of further irritation.

• Consider inherited risk: If you're choosing a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health history and any history of cherry eye in the family.

Because the condition may be inherited, veterinary organisations advise against breeding from dogs that have had cherry eye, even if it has been surgically corrected.

Keeping your dog healthy is beneficial for their overall wellbeing, but a good diet, exercise and avoiding dusty environments cannot guarantee that cherry eye won't develop.

What happens if cherry eye is left untreated?

Cherry eye shouldn't be ignored, even if the swelling initially appears small or doesn't seem to bother your dog.

An exposed tear gland can become irritated and inflamed, and the condition may increase the risk of dry eye if normal tear production is affected.

Your dog may also rub or scratch the affected eye, causing further irritation or injury. Other eye problems, including conjunctivitis, may develop alongside the condition.

Not every case will progress in the same way, but prompt veterinary assessment helps identify the problem and determine whether treatment is needed.

If your dog has a red lump in the corner of their eye, contact your vet rather than trying home remedies or waiting for it to resolve on its own.

Why compare pet insurance with MoneySuperMarket?

At MoneySuperMarket, we take the guesswork out of choosing the right pet insurance for your financial circumstances, and show you a range of options with levels of cover you feel comfortable with from leading UK providers.

Explore your options, compare policies, and choose the insurance that gives you and your dog the security you both deserve.