Cherry Eye in 11-Week-Old English Bulldog Puppy
Cherry Eye in 11-Week-Old English Bulldog Puppy, Dr. Kraemer my English bulldog puppy is 11 weeks old and has a cherry eye in his right eye. It showed up about 2 weeks ago.
Cherry Eye in 11-Week-Old English Bulldog Puppy AGE,
Is he old enough for surgery?
Do we have to wait until a certain age?
Cherry Eye in Bulldog Puppy PREVENTIVE:
Can we do preventative surgery for the other eye?
I saw cherry eye once in his left eye but it went away after a nap. I’m afraid it will eventually come back though.
Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff answered 3 years ago
Answer for Cherry Eye in 11-Week-Old English Bulldog Puppy
For optimal cherry eye repair timing, your bulldog and French bulldog puppy should be seen by a veterinarian experienced with the breed
Answer for Cherry Eye in English Bulldog Puppy SURGICAL REPAIR TIMING
The timing of the repair depends on a few factors:
SEVERITY: Evaluate the severity of the condition.
- Is the gland permanently out?
- How large it is
- Can you massage it back in?
Health & Wellness: Evaluate general health and wellness.
CHERRY EYE REPAIR ANESTHETIC RISKS
Many bulldogs also exhibit other medical problems that instantly make them an anesthetic risk, most of which are brachycephalic obstructive airway conditions. Examples are:
- Bulldog stenotic nares
- Bulldogs have an elongated palate.
- Other BOAS condition
WARNING: Those conditions should be repaired prior or at the same time as the cherry eye or any elective procedure for that matter.
Warning: It’s best not to delay the surgery for too long since the protruding gland can suffer an exposure injury.
Warning: Surgical delay can also adversely impact tear production.
For more, please visit Dr. Kraemer’s Cherry Eye in bulldogs and French bulldogs article.
BULLDOG ANESTHESIA RISKS:
Evaluate anesthetic soundness and special needs. There are a few safety steps I recommend before committing to surgical repair
PRE-ANESTHESIA DIAGNOSTICS:
- Blood
- Radiographs
- ECG
BULLDOG OPHTHALMIC RX:
Your vet can also provide eye drops and show you how to massage the gland back to its normal position under the third eyelid.
Answer for Cherry Eye in 11-Week-Old English Bulldog Puppy PREVENTION:
Unfortunately, reliable methods for definitively preventing cherry eye in bulldogs are limited due to the breed’s inherent anatomy and genetics
Contributing Factors:
- Exophthalmos (Eye Bulging):
The protruding eyeballs (bulging eyes) due to their flat-face conformation put additional strain on the gland and its supporting structures.
2. Weak Ligaments:
Weaker connective tissues and ligaments, including those supporting
CHERRY EYE PREVENTION
- Careful breeding practices: S
- Weight management:
- Gentle eye care: Avoiding rubbing or irritating the eyes might help prevent inflammation.
- Prevent and manage facial and nasal skinfold dermatitis
- Prevent and manage allergies
- Prevent and manage eyelid and eyelash conditions
There are no simple reliable methods to prevent bulldog cherry eyes.
Massaging Bulldog Cherry Eye TIP:
You can learn to massage the gland back to its normal location under the nicotinic membrane (third eyelid). This maneuver can work in the condition’s early stages, and/or with smaller prolapse.
Masaging the gland back to its place is usull on a short term temporary fix.
Bulldog Cherry Eye Opthamic Eye Drop TIP:
In addition, you can complement that with eye drops with anti-inflammatory and ophthalmic lubricants to help reduce swelling and protect the gland.
Answer for Cherry Eye in English Bulldog Puppy OTHER EYE:
The opposite cherry eye often prolapses shortly after the first one, or as in this puppy’s case within a few months after the first one
Therefore before I operate I always discuss this scenario with the owner, and give them the chance to opt for prophylactic surgery on the other cherry eye (the one yet to prolapse).
Preventive contralateral cherry eye surgery can help reduce future costs and a second anesthetic procedure
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