What Is Cherry Eye in Puppies?

One morning you notice a red, glossy lump in the corner of your puppy's eye. It looks like a small cherry. Your puppy seems fine, but you're not.

This is cherry eye, and it's mostly a young dog's condition. It looks alarming but it has a clear fix. Here's what's going on and what to do next.

What is cherry eye in puppies?

Dogs have a third eyelid, tucked inside the lower lid in the inner corner. It sweeps across the eye like a windshield wiper. A gland attached to it produces a large share of the tears that keep the eye moist and clean.

The gland is held in place by a small fibrous anchor. In cherry eye, that anchor is weak, and the gland slips out and rolls over the edge of the lid. Vets call it a prolapsed third eyelid gland. Owners call it cherry eye because of how it looks.

Why puppies get it

The anchor is still developing in a young dog, and in some breeds it's weaker from the start. AKC says the exact cause is unknown, though there's probably a genetic part, and head shape may play a role. Allergies or irritation can swell the gland and make it more likely to pop out.

Imagine a button on a shirt with a loose thread. Every tug makes it looser, until it comes off.

How common is it in young dogs?

Very. AKC reports that most cases happen in dogs under two years old, and around 75 percent before the first birthday. If your puppy is going to get it, you'll often see it in the first year.

Signs of cherry eye in a puppy

• A smooth, red or pink lump in the inner corner of the eye, near the nose
• A lump that comes and goes at first, then stays
• Watery or sticky discharge
• Pawing or rubbing at the eye
• Redness around the eye

It may affect one eye first. Many dogs end up with the other eye affected later, so it's worth watching both.

Breeds most at risk

VCA notes that flat-faced breeds in general are more susceptible. AKC says purebred and flat-faced dogs have higher rates. If you have a puppy from one of these breeds, check their eyes regularly.

English Bulldog puppies

Bulldogs are the best-known group. If you own one, make it a habit to look at both inner eye corners each week. Catching a prolapse early gives your vet more options.

Is it painful?

The lump itself isn't often very painful. But it irritates the eye, and puppies are great at making things worse. They rub with a paw, rub on carpet, or scratch with sharp little nails. That can scratch the surface of the eye or injure the gland.

Why surgery is the answer

Years ago, vets simply removed the gland. It seemed easy. But the gland makes up to half of the watery part of the tear film, and without it dogs are much more likely to develop dry eye.

VCA describes dry eye as red, painful eyes with squinting, blinking and thick yellow discharge. It often needs lifelong drops. So the current advice from both VCA and AKC is clear: don't remove the gland. Replace it.

What the surgery involves

AKC describes making a little pocket from nearby tissue and stitching the gland back in with absorbable sutures. Your vet picks the technique. For a tricky case, or if the gland keeps coming out, a veterinary ophthalmologist is the right specialist.

Before surgery

You might wait a few days. Meanwhile:

• Keep your puppy from rubbing, using a cone if your vet says so
• Keep the gland moist with the ointment or gel your vet recommends (VCA mentions artificial tear ointment, AKC a gel lubricant)
• Don't try to push it back in
• Check the eye each morning and night, and note any change

Recovery and common mistakes

Most dogs recover within a few weeks. Expect a cone, eye drops, and a recheck. Some redness and swelling right after surgery is common. Call your vet if swelling worsens, the eye weeps heavily, or the gland pops out again.

A re-prolapse happens in a minority of cases. VCA gives 5 to 20 percent, and AKC 5 to 10 percent. Many dogs also develop cherry eye in the other eye. Don't be discouraged if that happens, because the same treatment works.

What to expect at the vet

Your vet will look at the eye and confirm that the lump is the third eyelid gland. They'll also check the surface of the eye for scratches, since puppies rub at it. They'll talk through surgery, timing and aftercare.

Puppies need anesthesia for the operation. Ask about pre-op checks and about the clinic's experience with your breed. Flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs have short airways, so they need extra care under anesthesia.

Questions worth asking

• How soon should the surgery be done?
• Which technique do you use, and how often does it need repeating?
• Should my puppy see an eye specialist?
• What should I put on the eye while we wait?
• What signs after surgery should make me call you?

Common mistakes with a puppy's cherry eye

Owners mean well, but a few habits make things worse.

Waiting to see if it goes away

Some glands pop in and out for a while. That can look like it's healing. It isn't. Every episode exposes the gland to drying and irritation.

Pushing the lump back in

It might work for a moment, but the weak anchor means it comes straight out again. You also risk hurting the eye. Leave it to the vet.

Asking for the gland to be cut out

It sounds faster and cheaper. But the long-term risk of dry eye is why vets now advise against it. Ask for replacement surgery, or a referral to someone who does it often.

Using human eye drops

Redness-relieving drops and steroid products can cause harm, especially if the eye surface is scratched. Use only what your vet gives you.

Cherry eye and your puppy's future eye health

Once the gland is back in place, most puppies go on to have normal, comfortable eyes. The goal of surgery is to keep the tear supply intact for life. That's the reason vets avoid removal, even though it was once common.

Keep an eye on the other side as your puppy grows. Because many dogs eventually develop cherry eye in the second eye, a quick look at both inner corners each week is a habit worth building. If you ever see squinting, thick yellow discharge or a dull, dry-looking surface, call your vet, since those can be signs of dry eye or an ulcer.

Regular vet checkups through the first year also give your vet a chance to spot early changes before they become a bigger problem.

Cherry eye or another red-eye problem?

A red lump in the inner corner is the classic sign. But a red eye without a lump can mean conjunctivitis, a scratch or an infection. Puppies also get eye discharge from colds and other illness. Our guide to red eyes in dogs helps you sort the possibilities, and our main page on cherry eye in dogs covers the adult version in more detail.

Tips for new puppy owners

• Ask the breeder whether cherry eye runs in the line
• Learn what a healthy inner eye corner looks like so you notice a change
• Keep sharp nails trimmed
• Don't wait. Book a visit as soon as you see a lump

When to see a vet

Puppies change quickly, so it's better to ask early than to wait.

Book a visit within a day or two for any red lump in the corner of your puppy's eye. It's not a middle-of-the-night emergency, but fast treatment protects the gland and the eye.

Go the same day if your puppy is squinting, holding the eye shut, has a cloudy or bulging eye, heavy discharge, or a lump that looks dry, torn or bleeding. For more guides, visit our ears and eyes section.