Hello, I have a Great Dane with cherry eye in both eyes. Can you help me with information and suggestions?
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Hello, I have a Great Dane with cherry eye in both eyes. Can you help me with information and suggestions?
“Find a veterinary ophthalmologist or take the dog to Cornell in Ithaca.”
Dr. Ernest Smith
” From a veterinarian: Cherry eye is a common condition and your regular veterinarian should be quite capable of doing the tack-down surgical procedure. However, if you want a Board Certified specialist for something like this, look for a veterinarian who is Board Certified in either surgery of ophthalmology. If there is one in your area, they should be listed in the yellow pages, or ask your veterinarian for a referral to whoever they recommend.”
Melinda R. Burgwardt, DVM
Lancaster, NY
“Cherry eye” is a condition in which the gland of the third eyelid has prolapsed. The only effective treatment is surgery. However true “cherry eye” must be distinguished from another condition which looks very similar called eversion of the cartilage of the third eyelid. Many non-specialist veterinarians still perform these surgeries, but if your vet is uncomfortable with performing the surgery then have he or she refer you to a veterinary surgeon or opthalmologist to do it. The “cherry eye” can actually recur even after surgery but this is usually only if everted cartilage was present and wasn’t removed at the time of surgery. Surgery is very effective and safe, however it is generally not a good idea to have the glands actually removed. Removal of the glands can actually set your pet up for many ocular complications in the future, namely “dry eye” also known as KCS. It is generally accepted that surgically “tacking” the glands to the very undermost area of the eye works well and has minimal complications. Best of luck.
My lab mix had cherry eye in both eyes before the age of 6 months. Most of the places I called wouldn’t guarantee anything for $5K and up. I found a vet that tried what he referred to as an ‘envelope’ method-something new developed at Michigan State or at least used there and it’s been 3 years with no issues and she has no wet eyes nor does she require any kind of treatment. Call Mi State
my 8 month old cross mini dax and cavalier King Charles developed cherrry eye a few days ago. I just self diagnosed on internet and knew it wasnt an infection. I had been concerned my 4 yr old daughter had knocked her eye in play but can now see that it wasnt. I have belief in alternative medicine and thought that there might be a way to get the duct to reduce somehow as you might a haemorroid. I have administered orally just now arnica homeopathic remedy and arnica gel (dr vogel) into the skin below her fur around the eye being careful not to get it near the eye at all ie just enough to soak in. I also administered hypericum homeopathic remedy by mouth. I gave more arnica by mouth 1/2 hour later and miraculously the cherry has gone. I did massage the eye as well and tried to gently push the cherry back (before I put on the arnica gel) I dont know if it is luck or a temporary thing but I am stunned to see that this has all been effective at the moment. I am going to keep administering the arnica by mouth for today now every 4 hours after the inital dosage. I will inform you what happens.
Quite a few cases of “Cherry Eye” can be reduced by gently pressing the lower eyelid over the gland and pushing the prolapsed gland toward the corner of the eye toward the nose (medial canthus), especially in early cases. Several of my clients have done this succesfully and avoided surgery. Most however will need the tack-down surgery, and many will need a piece of the deformed cartilage removed as well, to eliminate tension on the sutures. The percentage of success is high if performed by an experienced DVM. I know of no evidence that anything applied to the outside of the eyelid or given orally will do any good.
Sincerely,
Mack L. Barney, DVM
What ointment/drops may I use, while we wait for the surgery …want to wait until we put her under for spaying …she is a 13wk old puppy Rotweiler(pls answer to email@cadif.biz) THANK YOU!!!! Andre’