We want to protect our four-legged friends from all evil in the world, but sadly, some things aren’t in our control.
One of these things is the cherry eye, commonly referred to as a prolapsed gland.
Unfortunately, the costs of correcting surgery can cost thousands of dollars.
That said, the cherry eye dog surgery cost depends on many factors, and that’s what I’ll be discussing in this blog post.
I’ll also give you tips on how to take care care of your dog after treatment so stay with me to the end.
What is Cherry Eye?
Well, it’s interesting to note that, unlike you, your dog has three eyelids. The third eyelid is known as the nictitating membrane, and it’s located in the lower eyelid of your dog to protect your canine’s eye.
Cherry eye is the medical term used to describe when the third eyelid pops out of place.
The condition requires to be treated as it interferes with the movement of the third eyelid across the cornea. It also causes your pup to rub their eye as it’s always inflamed and irritated, which can lead to secondary infections.
Signs & Symptoms of Cherry Eye in Dogs
Luckily, unlike other medical issues that are hard to notice, the cherry eye is very easy to spot.
The cherry eye occurs at the corner of your dog’s eye that’s nearest to the nose.
At first, the swelling may come and go by itself, but if left untreated, it prolapses permanently.
Some signs of a cherry eye include:
· Thick discharge
· The cherry pit (a smooth, round, pink or red mass at the corner of the eye)
· Your pup rubbing their eye
PS: Some of these symptoms may be a sign of a serious condition such as eye trauma, so it’s essential to seek immediate professional help.
How is Eye Cherry Surgery Done?
According to World Small Animal Veterinary Association, cherry eye surgery is one of the most straightforward surgical processes. The surgery actually takes 10-20 minutes to complete.
It involves placing the third eyelid back to its position. The gland is sutured into its proper place by creating a ‘pocket’ in the tissue below the third eyelid gland. And lastly, the vet seals the pocket once the eyelid is back in place. This avoids any future prolapsing.
In some cases, the vet may recommend removing the gland, but this is only in extreme cases where surgery won’t correct the cherry eye.
Cost of Cherry Eye Surgery
According to Vetinfo, cherry eye surgery costs can be anywhere between $500-$800, while in some cases, it can be over $1000. While this may seem like a lot of money, the cost of not treating the cherry eye is even higher. This is because the cherry eye can develop into dry eye, leading to complications and costly treatments.
There are several factors that come into play when determining the cherry eye surgery cost.
Some of them include:
The type of surgery
Is your dog undergoing a single prolapsed eyelid or a bilateral cherry eye repair? If they’re having bilateral cherry surgery, then you’ll have to incur the cost for each eye.
Size of your dog
Like any other surgical process, the size of your dog determines the total cost of the cherry eye surgery.
Large dog breed requires more medication and aesthesia, which adds to the surgery cost and the recovery care cost.
Where the surgery is done
Besides the location, the specialist who does the surgery can affect the cost of the surgery.
For example, taking your dog to an ophthalmologist specialist will be more costly than a general veterinary clinic.
However, if you think your dog’s cherry eye is at its advanced stage, an ophthalmologist specialist is better as they have the right equipment and expertise for the job.
Recovery of Cherry Eye in Dogs
Like you, any surgery can give your dog some discomfort, and they need care and support as they heal.
Some of the things you’ll be required to do after the surgery include:
· Take them for follow-up visits. This will allow your doctor to check and ensure their incision and sutures are okay.
· Get them an E-Collar. This is probably one of the most critical and frustrating things you’ll have to do for your dog after the surgery. Your dog should wear cone-shaped collars for 14 days after surgery to prevent them from irritating or damaging the surgery site. This is especially hard if your dog has high energy levels because you’ll have to monitor them closely.
· Pain medication. Although the surgery is not very invasive, your vet may advise you to get your dog some pain medication. Besides the pain meds, your dog may need some ointment to help with any inflammation that they may have after the surgery.
What’s the Prognosis for Canines with Cherry Eye?
First of all, cherry eye is neither life-threatening nor contagious, so it doesn’t put you or your other pets at risk.
According to VCA, the dog’s eye glands start functionally normally a few weeks after the surgery. However, there is a 5-20% chance of re-prolapse that may lead to your dog needing another surgery. Also, dogs who have had a cherry eye on one side are likely to have one on the opposite side.
How do You Prevent Eye Cherry in Dogs?
Unfortunately, the cherry eye in dogs can’t be prevented. That said, it’s always crucial to feed your dog well and ensure they exercise to give them a better shot at a quality life.
Also, schedule appointments and have them checked if they’re among dog breeds prone to having a cherry eye.
These dog breeds include beagles, cocker spaniels, and bloodhounds, among other brachycephalic dog breeds like Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, bulldogs, and the like.
Cherry Eye Surgery Cost (Final Thoughts)
If your dog has a cherry eye, there is no need to freak out. It’s treatable and not life-threatening, so your furry friend will be okay within no time.
Take your dog to the vet immediately you see any symptoms of the prolapsed eyelid to ensure it doesn’t cause further damage.
I hope my blog post gave you a better understanding of the cherry eye in dogs. If you did it, don’t forget to share it with other dog parents.
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