Dog Community

cherry eye vs. infection?

tjlb

Posted : 7/24/2008 10:54:04 AM

Hi, my 1.5yr old yorkie/shih tzu mix developed a red swollen area in the lower/inner corner of 1 eye. My vet said to try ointment (antibiotic/steriod) for a few days and see what happens. She thought he might have had a little injury and/or infection since he wrestles with my other dogs a lot. It's been 3 days and I have not seen any improvement. How long would that take to clear up? My vet would like to refer us to an opthomologist if it persists. (YIKES! The vet bill Monday was $80.) Any expirence with eye infections and/or cherry eye? From what I've seen on the internet.... it (cherry eye) doesn't seem to affect his breed.... thanks!

Spicy_Bulldog

Posted : 7/24/2008 12:03:32 PM

Some breeds are commonly effected by Cherry Eye, others are not but can still get it. Pit Bulls are not commonly effected but I know someone who had several pups out of one litter get it. It is caused by a gland in the 3rd eyelid prolapsing which could be hereditary or caused by outside reasons. Her vet told her that it started out as an infection of the 3rd eyelid in her pups, weakened the connective tissue causing the cherry eye. They had to have surgery to correct it.

grab01

Posted : 7/24/2008 2:13:27 PM

tjlb

it (cherry eye) doesn't seem to affect his breed

I've seen several Shih Tzus with cherry eyes, so if he's a Shih Tzu mix, it's possible. Keep up with whatever meds you were given, eye issues are something to be taken quite seriously. Eye issues can take awhile to clear up, so it could be an infection as well.

BlackLabbie

Posted : 7/24/2008 3:36:33 PM

Cherry eye.....I wish I wasn't familiar to this, but my former Cocker Spaniel (still lives with my parents) had it. Actually, that's how I got him. He developed cherry eye while in the pet store, and the owner didn't want to pay for surgery, so I got him for free. We had the prolapsed gland tucked and stitched, it ran us $2,000. Cocker Spaniels are greatly effected by this, but I have seen Shih Tzu's with it too, as well as Bulldogs. How long did the vet prescribe the ointment? Hope the ointment works if you thought $80 was expensive...