Cherry Eye West Midlands
Cherry Eye Treatment in the West Midlands
Welcome to Rock House Vets in the West Midlands, where we understand how concerning Cherry Eye can be. When the gland of the third eyelid (nictitating membrane) prolapses, your dog may have redness, swelling, and discomfort. Our team is here to offer compassionate care and the latest veterinary techniques to restore comfort and eye health.
Recognising Cherry Eye Symptoms: What to Look Out For
Rock House Veterinary Clinic sees this more often in younger dogs (often under one year old), especially in breeds predisposed due to anatomy or genetics. Breeds commonly affected include Bulldogs (French & English), Beagles, Pugs and other brachycephalic breeds.
Cherry Eye (or “prolapsed third eyelid gland”) is when the tear gland under the third eyelid slips out of its normal position. Typical symptoms of cherry eye include A raised, red or pink swelling in the inner corner of one or both eyes. Excessive tearing, discharge, or mucus accumulation. Squinting, blinking, or rubbing at the eye due to irritation.
How do you correct Cherry Eye?
Rock House offers Cherry Eye Repocketing, removal and replacement of cherry eyes. Our practice is famous throughout the UK for its cherry eye procedures and has been for many years now. We see people from all over the country daily for these procedures. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent chronic irritation, inflammation or infection. It protects the tear gland to maintain tear production and avoid dry eye. And reduces the risk of corneal ulcers and associated pain or vision loss.
You can also rest assured that our Cherry Eye Repocketing procedures will never be carried out while your dog is awake! All of our procedures are carried out while your dog is happy sleeping, meaning zero pain or stress for your best friend.
Medical Management or Cherry Eye Surgical Intervention
At Rock House Vets, our experienced team is well-equipped to diagnose and treat Cherry Eye effectively. Through a tailored treatment plan, which may include medical management or surgical intervention, we aim to alleviate discomfort and restore optimal ocular health for your furry family member. Trust Rock House Vets to deliver exceptional care and support throughout your pet’s Cherry Eye treatment journey.
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Cherry Eye Treatment FAQs
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHERY EYE?
Dogs with cherry eye suffer from a condition where the gland of the third eyelid protrudes forward and forms an identifiable red mass resembling a cherry.
One of the main symptoms includes noticeable redness and swelling in the corner of the dog’s eye, along with the development of the engorged gland. In addition to signs of discomfort and irritation, dogs may also experience weeping, squinting, or rubbing of the affected eye.
Occasionally, cherry eye affects the dog’s natural tear production, resulting in a thick, mucus-like discharge. Pet owners may also notice a decrease in tear output, which may cause dryness and pain in the afflicted eye. Early detection and treatment are necessary to avoid complications from cherry eye, including chronic inflammation or secondary infections.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR CHERRY EYE?
Treatment for cherry eye typically involves surgical correction, called Cherry Eye Repocketing. This is commonly known as “cherry eye surgery. The veterinarian will carefully reposition the third eyelid gland protrusion to its original location and secure it in place. The procedure is to prevent any future recurrence and aims to restore normal eye function and reduce any discomfort or irritation the dog has.
Following the surgery, you will be advised on post-operative care , to aid in your dogs fast recovery
WHAT NOT TO DO AFTER CHERRY EYE SURGERY
For a successful recovery following cherry eye surgery, it is critical dog owners adhere to post-operative aftercare advice.
First and foremost, avoid any excessive physical activity with your dog immediately following their surgery. Rigorous exercise, jumping, or rough play can significantly strain the procedure incision and cause difficulties.
Avoid letting your dog paw at or scratch at the treatment area. Use a protective Elizabeth collar or a soft cone to prevent the dog from reaching close to the eyes. Scratching will damage the healing tissues and lead to inflammation or infection.
Please don’t administer over-the-counter eye drops or medications without first corresponding with your veterinarian. Inappropriate medications may worsen the dog’s condition and interfere with post-operative care.
WHAT WILL MY DOG'S EYE LOOK LIKE AFTER CHERRY EYE SURGERY?
Following your dog’s cherry eye surgery, the operated eye is likely to show slight swelling and redness, as well as some clear discharge. This is a normal reaction of the body and should improve within the days following the procedure.
At Rock House Vets, we offer postoperative care instructions that may include prescription eye drops or ointments to help in healing and avoid infection.
WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE FOR CHERRY EYE TREATMENT?
Overall, this technique has a very high chance of success (95%) providing post-op care instructions are followed correctly. These involve:
- Ensure the patient wears an Elizabethan buster collar (not an inflatable) so they can’t rub or scratch their eye for 14 days and stick to instructions on medication being prescribed regularly.
- Avoid any activities that will raise the pressure in their eyes, such as excessive walking, running, jumping, or playing.
- Remove your dog’s regular neck collar while they are recovering, and use a harness instead. They can cause the pressure on their neck can raise the pressure inside their eyes.
Get in touch for Cherry Eye Treatment at Rock House Veterinary Clinic in the West Midlands
WHAT IF THE CHERRY EYE SURGERY DOES NOT WORK?
The purpose of cherry eye surgery is to correct an abnormality in the tear gland. When the tear gland protrudes, the eye doesn’t produce enough tears. This can lead to eye dryness, inflammation, and often infections. If the cherry eye surgery fails to resolve the problem, the eye may continue to display similar symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT THE CHERRY EYE WILL RETURN AFTER SURGERY?
Cherry eye surgery, is typically an effective treatment, but can occasionally fail. The likelihood of cherry eye reoccurrence all depends on factors such as the breed of the dog, the surgical technique used, and the anatomy of each individual dog. On the rare occasion that the gland may re-prolapse, your dog would require further surgery.
Being attentive to the postoperative care from Rock House Vets, such as taking recommended medicines and obeying activity restrictions, is very important for avoiding complications and ensuring a full recovery.
We recommend regular follow-up visits to the vet to monitor the health of the eye and promptly address any problems.
For Cherry Eye Treatment at Rock House Veterinary Clinic in the West Midlands, click here
WHICH DOG BREEDS ARE MOST LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM CHERRY EYE?
While any dog breed can suffer, the following breeds are most likely to suffer from this ailment. Puppies under one are also at a higher risk.
- Bulldog
- Mastiff
- Great Dane
- Shih Tzu
- Lhasa Apso
- Cocker Spaniel
- Bloodhound
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE A DOG TO RECOVER FROM CHERRY EYE SURGERY?
It takes roughly two weeks to recover from surgery. An e-collar or cone will be required to protect the surgery site during this period. Keep your pet calm for up to 10 days by keeping activities to a bare minimum. Lead walks should be avoided if the animal strains on the lead, as pressure on the neck will induce the gland to reappear. As a result, a walking harness could be a good investment. To minimise inflammation and prevent infection, you will be given oral and topical medications before returning home after surgery.
Do you offer cherry eye surgery near me?
We offer Cherry Eye Surgery at our clinic in Old Hill, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8QB. We have many dog owners travelling from all over the West Midlands for our professionalise in Cherry Eye Surgery including:
Dudley – Kinswinford and Stourbridge.
East Midlands – Derbyshire,
Sandwell – Wednesbury, and West Bromwich.
Staffordshire – Cannock, Stoke On Trent.
Warwickshire – Lichfield, Stratford Upon Avon.
West Midlands – Bridgnorth, Coventry, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Solihull, Stafford and Telford.
Worcestershire – Bromsgrove and Redditch