Cherry eye is a condition that up to 10% of dogs may experience, although it is more common among certain flat-faced, brachycephalic breeds such as English Bulldogs and Mastiffs. While any dog at any age can become afflicted with cherry eye, it is most common in younger dogs.
What is cherry eye exactly?
Cherry eye refers to a prolapsed eyelid. Clinically, it’s known as nictitans gland prolapse or prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid.
Dogs have a third eyeli
The most noticeable symptom associated with cherry eye is a lump of reddish or pink tissue on the lower eyelid. However, other symptoms include pus coming from the eye, a swollen eye, a dry eyelid, tears that appear more like mucus, or if a dog is pawing at an eye.
Cherry eye isn’t a condition that can be prevented, as it is known to be hereditary. However, the chance of it happening can be reduced when dogs with the condition don’t breed.
In some cases, cherry eye can heal with non-surgical intervention. But, more often than not, surgery is needed for cherry eye removal.
Affordable Cherry Eye Removal
Dogs with cherry eye can experience discomfort from the condition, in addition to other impacts to their day-to-day life. Cherry eye can cause vision impairment, which makes it more difficult for dogs to judge distance and height — meaning they may bump into things or misjudge spaces if and when they jump.
In addition, cherry eye can make a dog more susceptible to eye infections. And, because the condition affects the tear glands, a dog can experience dry eye as the gland isn’t able to operate properly.
The best course of action for cherry eye treatment is generally cherry eye surgery. It is one of the more common surgeries we perform at Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, where we specialize exclusively in surgical treatments for pets.
Cherry eye surgery used to involve the removal of the gland altogether, but updated practice involves tucking the gland back in and suturing it in place. In most cases, a single procedure corrects the condition.
The cost of cherry eye removal surgery can vary, depending on who performs it and how severe the condition is, but it could cost up to $1,900 in some cases. As part of our commitment to provide affordable surgical care for pets, we are generally able to save pet parents several hundred dollars by performing cherry eye removal surgery at Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit.
We usually charge between $550 and $650 for the procedure, as part of our dedication to keep cherry eye removal surgery affordable. At Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, we’re able to keep our costs lower, and our prices for treatment lower, because we focus exclusively on surgical procedures.
If your dog is experiencing cherry eye, there’s no reason to wait for surgical treatment. Reach out to our team to schedule an appointment and get your pup on the road to recovery.
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit is a trusted veterinary team serving the Phoenix, Peoria, East Mesa, Queen Creek, and Tucson metro areas, with accessible locations in each market, offering highly specialized surgery, quality spay and neuter procedures, and accessible dental care for pets. Contact us to learn more about our specialized services or to schedule an appointment.
