Cherry Eyes

Hello, my 1 (almost 2) year old Basset Hound Daisy has what her vet calls a "cherry eye" in her left eye. It's a big red lump in the bottom corner of her eye that she says is a swollen gland. We would like to have it removed, but have heard it can cause something called 'dry eye' or other problems... has anyone ever had a cherry eye removed? If so, were there any problems? Thanks!

-Daisy's Mom

Hello Daisy's mom,

I'm sorry, I really can't help you. Infact, I never heard from a cherry eye.
But I write you to wish you and Daisy the best. I hope Daisy can have the surgery and everything will be alright!

Sorry if my English is not so good. I'm from Belgium, so I normally speak Dutch. I do the best I can.

Good luck for you and Daisy

Greetings Miche

I've done some research on cherry eyes and I found they are most common in cocker spaniels and that there are many ways of having it fixed, such as having it "tacked down" (I hope that isn't what it is literally). I also saw again that this can cause dry eye, whatever that is. I would really like to get this removed, it's large enough that I think it blocks a small part of her eye from seeing, and it also is kinda gross looking - not that she's not the cutest dog in the world to me but to other people, they are disgusted... does anyone have any information for me?

Hi,
Cherry eye is a term used to describe the inflammation of the Harderian gland. The Harderian gland secrets lubricating fluid and lies underneath the third eyelid. Obviously removing this gland will remove the lubrication fluid too. Your vet is the only one who can tell you the likely outcome of removal in your dog but if the gland has been imflammed for sometime it seems unlikely that it is still lubricating properly, if at all. There are drops that can substitute it's function but you must be dedicated in administering them. Ask your vet to refer you to an eye specialist if you are unhappy with the way he is treating the condition. I hope this helps.