Coming home to see your French Bulldog with cherry eye (a red mass in the corner of their eye) can be enough to send you into a panic, but it’s a more common situation than you might think. If your French Bulldog does have cherry eye, there’s no cause for immediate panic. In fact, it usually is not too painful for your Frenchie. Keep reading to learn what cherry eye is and when to seek medical attention. What is cherry eye? Cherry eye, also known as red eye, can be common in French Bulldogs. You might hear your vet refer to this as a nictitans gland prolapse, but it’s more often called cherry eye due to the red and inflamed mass resembling a cherry. Unlike humans, who only have two eyelids, dogs have a third eyelid that gives their eyes extra protection and a gland that produces a majority of their tears. Sometimes, the ligament that connects the gland in place will detach from the dog’s orbital bone and prolapse (bulge or flip out). This leaves your French Bulldog with a red lump in the corner of their eye. The most obvious symptom is the red lump in the corner of your dog’s eye, but other symptoms include frenchies excessively scratching or pawing at their face, squinting, discharge, and abnormally dry eyes or excessive tear production. What causes cherry eye? The exact cause of cherry eye is unknown, but vets do agree certain breeds like French Bulldogs are genetically prone to the condition. Additionally, cherry eye is more common in young dogs under two years old. How common is cherry eye? Cherry eye is a common eye condition in French Bulldogs, but as we’ve mentioned before, certain breeds are more susceptible to cherry eyes than others. You’ll notice that most of the breeds that are prone to cherry eye are breeds with shorter muzzles. These breeds include: Cherry eye is also more common in dogs under two years of age, but dogs of all ages are still at risk of developing cherry eye. Additionally, while you might be most concerned about your French Bulldog, in rare cases, cherry eye can show up in cats as well. Can I prevent cherry eye? Just like the exact cause of cherry eye is unknown, it’s still unknown if there’s a way to prevent cherry eye. That being said, since cherry eye is thought to be genetic, you might find it beneficial to ask your breeder if your new puppy\’s parents have a history of cherry eye. While understanding your pup’s family medical history is important, a lack of cherry eye in the parents doesn’t guarantee your puppy won’t even experience it. The good news, though, is that cherry eye is not transmittable to other people or animals in your home. What home remedies can be used to treat cherry eye? Since cherry eye is a super common condition, there are plenty of home remedies out there. That being said, you should consult your ...
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