Cherry eye in dogs

Cherry eye in dogs

By
✔ MRCVS
BSc
BVM&S
FHEA
Updated October 16, 2025
5 min read

Overview

Symptoms

Risk

Diagnosis

Vet treatment

Home treatment

Prevention

When to worry

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Cherry eye in dogs

Cherry eye in dogs

By
✔ MRCVS
BSc
BVM&S
FHEA
Updated October 16, 2025
5 min read

Cherry eye is a common eye condition in dogs. It appears as a smooth pink or red swelling in the inside corner of the eye. It's most common in young dogs under a year old and in certain breeds.

Cherry eye often looks worse than it is. The swelling is a tear gland that’s popped out in the wrong place. Cherry eye isn’t painful but the swollen gland can get irritated and inflamed if untreated. It may come and go to begin with but usually needs surgery. A short operation can return the gland to the right place and secure it there.

Cherry eye in a dog
Cherry eye in a dog

What is cherry eye in dogs? >What is cherry eye in dogs? [Overview

Symptoms of cherry eye in dogs >Symptoms of cherry eye in dogs [Symptoms

Are some dogs more at risk of getting cherry eye? >Are some dogs more at risk of getting cherry eye? [Risk

How is cherry eye diagnosed? >How is cherry eye diagnosed? [Diagnosis

How do vets treat cherry eye? >How do vets treat cherry eye? [Vet treatment

Home care for a dog with cherry eye >Home care for a dog with cherry eye [Home treatment

Can cherry eye be prevented? >Can cherry eye be prevented? [Prevention

When should you be worried about cherry eye? >When should you be worried about cherry eye? [When to worry

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