We all love our pups dearly, and it can be deeply upsetting to learn that there is something wrong with our companion. Unfortunately, French Bulldogs are susceptible to a large variety of health problems, particularly in the eyes and face resulting in french bulldog cherry eye.
If you happen to notice a small mass about the size of a cherry protruding from the eye of your French Bulldog, this is likely a result of an affliction known as Cherry Eye.
The exact cause of Cherry Eye is still unknown, but it is suspected to be caused by either genetics or environmental factors. Thankfully, Cherry Eye is not a life-threatening condition, and veterinarians can usually treat the condition, as well.
What is French Bulldog Cherry Eye?
Cherry Eye is a very common occurrence in brachycephalic breeds (dog breeds whose skulls are longer and flatter than is considered healthy). This is because their eyes are generally large and protruding, allowing them to collect a variety of allergens from the air.
Cherry Eye is caused by a prolapse in the gland of your French Bulldog’s eyelid. While humans only have two eyelids, most dogs have three eyelids to provide more protection from the elements.
Unfortunately, in Frenchies, this eyelid may pop out, producing the extremely irritating and uncomfortable condition known as Cherry Eye. This condition can occur in only one of your French Bulldog’s eyes, or it can even occur in both.
Cherry Eye typically occurs in younger French Bulldogs, and it is most likely to occur in dogs who are no older than two years old.
What Causes Cherry Eye In French Bulldogs?
Cherry eye in french bulldogs is most likely genetic and can be passed down from parents to puppies. We also know there are tissue fibers that hold the third eyelid’s gland in place, which may weaken due a weakness or injury over time; this leads them popping out of position with an unmistakable “cherry-eye” appearance!
While we still don’t know exactly what causes Cherry Eye, many people believe it is congenital. When buying a French Bulldog, you should consult with the breeder about whether or not the parents of your puppy have suffered from Cherry Eye in the past.
French Bulldog Cherry Eye Drops
It’s true that cherry eye can spontaneously go away on its own. However, this usually isn’t the case and when it doesn’t we need vet intervention to remove your pet from any potential pain or discomfort before surgery becomes necessary – which only they will be able to tell you if there is an issue with treatment going forward!
If early detection methods are used correctly in these cases such as topical antibiotics or corticosteroid anti-inflammatory eye drops
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French Bulldog Cherry Eye Massage
A cherry eye is a condition that can develop in the eyelid. Owners who report success using massage and antibiotic ointments also indicate they began this process as soon as they noticed their dog had an infection, but it’s important not to wait too long or else your pet might need surgery!
Sometimes the best massage is one that doesn’t involve any pressure! To help your pup’s cherry pop back into place, all you will need to do it gently close their outer eyelid and then push toward where its located on top of his/her nose. This should be enough in most cases without having too much force applied.
Some people have been able to reduce the size of their French bulldog’s cherry eye with massage therapy. Owners report success after three or four sessions, but many more need at least seven days for improvement before seeing results.
sometimes even longer when there are complications from gland manipulations like popping out again because it isn’t permanently reduced in size yet! A word about canine eyeballs: They’re delicate so don’t mishandle them unless you know what you’re doing–and never put anything near its eyes without consulting a vet first just in case something goes wrong.
French Bulldog Cherry Eye Surgery Cost
Cherry eye is a condition that can be fixed by surgery. The cost of repairs starts at around $250-$300, but this price could go up depending on your vet and how severe the problem has been for you so far; it may also need to happen again if there are further issues with prolapses in future – proactively fixing them before they occur would surely save time/money!
French Bulldog Cherry Eye Syptoms?
While Cherry Eye is extremely uncomfortable, one bonus is that it is not at all hard to discover and diagnose. Because it is so irritating, your Frenchie will immediately begin pawing and itching at the affected area.
However, this can damage the eye’s connective tissue, and as such, you should take care to treat the condition right away. If you live in a particularly dry area, your dog will likely be more susceptible to itching, as well.
The affected area will also be visibly red and irritated, as well as swollen. Your Frenchie will likely squint and produce an excessive amount of tears or discharge.
The size of your dog’s Cherry Eye can vary. In some cases, the affected area will be extremely large, covering a big area of the dog’s cornea.
In other cases, however, the prolapsed eyelid can be very small, and it might not be visible at all times.
If you notice your dog frequently rubbing and itching the same area of its eyes, take a careful look at the affected area to determine whether or not it might be Cherry Eye.
How Worried Should You Be If you’re French Bulldog Has Cherry eye?
Although extremely uncomfortable, Cherry Eye is not a fatal condition, and you shouldn’t worry too much. However, you should never leave this condition to fester.
Firstly, it causes a great deal of discomfort and irritation to your poor dog. Secondly, if left alone, Cherry Eye can lead to eye infections, which are painful and harder to treat.
While you shouldn’t panic if you notice that your Frenchie has Cherry Eye, it is an issue that should be resolved as soon as possible.
How Do You Treat Cherry Eye In French Bulldogs?
Watching your beloved pet itching and whining in pain can be heartbreaking, especially if you have no idea how to treat the problem. Thankfully, there are a variety of possible treatments that your veterinarian can employ to get rid of Cherry Eye.
These techniques may be surgical or non-surgical, and in some cases, your vet may use a combination of both.
One non-surgical method includes a special massage technique that can gently move the protruding gland back where it belongs. This is not something you can do on your own, however, and your veterinarian will have to monitor closely to make sure it doesn’t come back.
Another non-surgical option is to use Antimicrobial Ophthalmic Gel, which, when applied topically, can greatly reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of Cherry Eye.
If you are nervous about taking your dog to surgery, or if you are waiting for your surgical date, this can be a gentle way to at least alleviate some of your dog’s pain.
In some cases, your dog may undergo a surgical process known as an attachment procedure. During the surgery, the protruding eyelid will be attached to a strong piece of fleshy membrane before it is moved back into place.
Sometimes, even this surgical method may be unsuccessful, which can lead to chronic Cherry Eye. At this point, your veterinarian may discuss the option of removing your dog’s third eyelid altogether.
While it is not ideal to remove this third eyelid, it can save your dog a lot of pain and discomfort in the future.
How to Prevent Cherry Eye In French Bulldogs
While you can’t always avoid Cherry Eye, there are some steps you can take to try and lessen the chance of it occurring. If you live in a dry area, investing in a humidifier can keep your dog’s eyes moist, making them less likely to develop the condition.
Regular and gentle eye massages around the eyes can also help to prevent this issue. By using a warm cloth and eye drops specifically meant for dogs, you can create a regular massage routine that will help to keep your dog healthy.
Final Thoughts
With the proper treatment, your French Bulldog will likely be perfectly healthy once again after a few weeks. However, it is important to note that approximately 20% of French Bulldogs do experience a relapse of Cherry Eye, which may result in additional surgery.
Furthermore, if your dog’s third eyelid prolapses in one eye, the chances of a prolapse occurring in the other eye rise significantly.
Overall, Cherry Eye is a common affliction in French Bulldogs, and while we can do our best to prevent it, it can still occur. However, there’s no need to worry too much; treatments exist which can help your dog return to its happy and healthy self in a matter of weeks.
other useful sources skin care for Frenchies.
Last update on 2024-07-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
