Health
Cherry Eye in Dogs: That Red Lump Isn't Going Away on Its Own
What you're seeing
Dogs have a third eyelid with a tear gland behind it. In cherry eye, that gland prolapses and appears as a red, cherry-like lump in the eye's inner corner. Bulldogs, beagles, cocker spaniels and mastiff types are frequent flyers, usually young.
Why it needs treating
The exposed gland dries, inflames and gets rubbed — and it produces a large share of the eye's tears. Left out (or worse, surgically removed, an outdated approach), the eye risks lifelong dry eye requiring daily medication forever.
The fix
Modern treatment tucks and stitches the gland back into place, preserving tear production. Recurrence happens in a minority and the other eye may follow later — annoying, but far better than losing the gland.
Until surgery
Keep the eye moist with vet-recommended lubricant, prevent rubbing (cone if needed), and don't panic — cherry eye is uncomfortable, not an emergency. But do book promptly: a freshly prolapsed gland repairs more happily than a chronically inflamed one.
If the day is coming
Ease The Paw coordinates in-home pet euthanasia across South Africa — we find and book the vet, arrange the cremation and handle the keepsakes, so you can simply be present. A flat R950 covers the coordination and your keepsake memorial; the vet and cremation are billed separately at their own rates.
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