Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs can be seen when it prolapse out from bhind the third eyelid (i.e. nicotinic gland) displaying a rosy oval-shaped protrusion.
Normally, in its most natural position, your bulldog puppy cherry eye is covered and protected by the third eyelid, thus it is rarely notice.
In contrast to us, your French Bulldogs Puppies, English Bulldogs Puppies, and American Bulldog Puppies have three eyelids, the typical top and bottom, and a third passive one shaped like a pink membrane that originates from the nasal corner of the eye.
THIRD EYELID: Your bulldog 3ed eyelid medical term is “nicotinic membrane”, the third eyelid helps to:
- PROTEC THE CORNEA: Physically protect your bulldog cornea by acting as a windshield wiper
- DISTRIBUTE TEARS: Helps distribute the tears over the eye
- SHIELD THE CHERRY: imbeds, shield, and protects they tear gland (cherry)
Your bulldog puppy third eyelid also contains lymphoid tissue, suggesting immune protection of the eye
BULLDOG TEAR FILIM: The Eye Tear Film combines 3 parts:
- LIPID (fat)
- MUCIN (Mucus)
- WATER (Aqueous) your bulldog tear film water part is produced by two glands. There is one just above the eye in the upper lead area and a second one (The “Cherry Gland”) that is embedded in the third eyelid
The cherry gland produce Tears, Lubricate, hydrate, and preserve your bulldog cornea
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PROLAPSE CAUSE:
- FIBROUS ATTACHMENT: Weakens of gland fibrous attachments
- BLOCKAGE: Tear duct blockage that leads to swelling
- VASCULAZATION: Poor circulation
- INFECTION: conjunctivitis, scleritis, dry eye
- INFLAMMATION: entropion and Distichias
- SKULL CONFIRMATION: Skull bone confirmation (brachycephalic, compressed head and bulging eyes)
- INHERITANCE: Genetics
- UNKNOWN: The “cherry gland” prolapse cause is often unknown
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs is more common in young bulldogs and french bulldog puppies and is usually due to weakness of the ligamentous attachments.
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs MAINTENANCE :
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldog Puppies can often be massaged back into place. In contrast to most eye problems, the cherry eye in bulldogs in its mild form is usually a non-emergency. Nevertheless, seek veterinary advice for your bulldog puppy cherry eye as soon as you can, especially if you can massage it back under the lid if it’s getting worse and/or with any signs of discomfort.
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs RULE OF THUMB :
Cherry Eye medical management in Bulldogs and French Bulldog puppies includes ophthalmic anti-inflammatory with antibiotics. Massaging the gland back in can be attempted, however, this maneuver rarely a long-term solution, thus surgical correction is recommended.
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs SURGICAL REPAIR:
TACKING (anchoring):
- ONE STICH: is a single stitch technique
- NO CUTS: There is no cutting involved
- SIMPLE: Its more commonly done due to simplicity
- UNRELIABLE: It holding power is limited and the chances for re-prolapsing is high
Tacking method WARNINGS:
WARNING RE-PROLAPSE: Suture or stitch becomes undone prematurely which can lead to an immediate re-prolapse.
WARNING ULCER: Suture or stitch becomes undone, rub over the cornea, cause an injury (bulldog cornea ulcer)
WARNING SURGICAL FAILURE: the chances for failure are much higher with this technique especially with bulldogs and French bulldogs (Brachycephalic)
POCKET (imbrication) :
- POCKET: A “pocket” is created to help burry and secure the gland back inside the third eyelid.
- CUTS: It includes cuts on the two sides of the gland and tissue removal to help create the “pocket”.
- SUTURES: The cherry is then pushed into the pocket and the 2 sides are pulled together tightly over it with suture placement.
- FIBROTIC BAND: The sutured cuts will fibrous forming a strong tough band over the gland to hold it from re-prolapsing.
Pocket method WARNINGS:
WARNING RE-PROLAPSE: Suture or stitch becomes undone prematurely which can lead to an immediate re-prolapse.
WARNING ULCER: Like the taking method if the stitch or sutures become undone prematurely it can scratch, injure, and cause a corneal ulcer (bulldog cornea ulcer)
WARNINGPOST-OP SWELL: A short term post-op swell (edema) is likely, anti-inflammatory ophthalmic ointment might help.
MY METHOD / HYBRID / COMBO: for the best outcome, I combine both techniques.
The “POCKET” provides a long term seal
The “TUCKING” provide a short term anchor during the healing/swelling period
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS :
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Tip #1 SUTURE: To prevent unintended suture injury to the cornea, I prefer rapidly dissolving suture material.
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Tip #2 KNOT: The suture knot should always be placed on the outside surface of the third eyelid membrane so to avoid contact with the cornea. Any corneal contact with the suture material can lead to abrasions/wound/cornea injury (cornea ulcers).
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Tip #3 PREVENTION: In many bulldogs and French bulldog puppies only one side prolapse, yet often the other cherry eye prolapse soon after. To prevent the other gland from prolapsing, the unaffected gland may be anchored & imbricated
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Warning #1 OTHER EYE: In many bulldogs, there’s a good chance that the opposite eye will also “cherry”
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Warning #2 RE-PROLAPSE: Up to 30% fr surgically repaired cherry eyes might re-prolapse, % is the highest when the anchor method is used and is the lowest when my combo method is performed.
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Warning #3 TIMING: Cherry Eye Surgery in bulldogs is more likely to be successful if it’s done soon after the gland prolapses.
Over time, the prolonged chronic swelling of the gland can make the surgical re-positioning more difficult, thus increasing the chance for recurrence.
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Warning #3 SUTRE TYPE: I don’t recommend using thick and slow absorbent suture material. I used a very thin and rapid absorbing suture
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldog Warning #4 PRESERVATION: Most Important, as much as 40% of your bulldog’s total tear production is situated in the third eyelid (the “cherry” origin), therefore the surgical repair must include the preservation of the “cherry”.
Removal of the “cherry” will deplete you bulldog tear production, and increase the chances of developing an eye condition called “bulldog dry eye” ( Bulldog Keratoconjunctivitis Sica (KCS).
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Warning #5 REMOVAL: Removal of the “cherry” is strictly reserved for rare cases of cancer and trauma.
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Warning #6 PAIN: post-op blinking and squinting is consistent with pain and is usually due to a corneal injury, and should be considered an emergency, please see your vet as soon as possible. The chances are that the suture material or knot is rubbing against the cornea and forming a corneal ulcer.
Cherry Eye in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Warning #7 SWELL & REDNESS: Expect some postoperative swelling after cherry eye repair, especially with the pocket technique. This should slowly resolve and the eye should be comfortable and normal in appearance after about 2-3 weeks. If the eye appears suddenly painful or unusual in appearance, have it rechecked as soon as possible.
An Ounce of PREVENTION Is Worth a Pound of CURE
