International Journal of Molecular Veterinary Research 2013, Vol.3, No.1, 1-3 http://ijmvr.sophiapublisher.com 1 Research Report Open Access Cherry Eye: Prolapse of Third Eyelid Gland in Dog- A Case Report A. Raza 1 , M.A. Naeem 2 , M. Ahmad 3 , A. Manzoor 1 , M. Ijaz 1 1. Department of Clinical Medicine & Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 2. Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 3. Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Punjab Corresponding author email: ali_aliuaf@yahoo.com; Authors International Journal of Molecular Veterinary Research, 2013, Vol.3, No.1 doi: 10.5376/ijmvr.2013.03.0001 Received: 03 Dec., 2012 Accepted: 29 Jan., 2013 Published: 17 Feb., 2013 This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Raza et al., 2013, Cherry Eye: Prolapse of Third Eyelid Gland in Dog- A Case Report, International Journal of Molecular Veterinary Research, Vol.3, No.1 1-3 (doi: 10.5376/ ijmvr.2013.03.0001) Abstract Third eyelid covers the medial canthus of the eye and consists of T-shaped flap like cartilage and tear gland, both are helpful in protection of eye. Prolapsed gland appeared as a dark pink to reddish mass and misdiagnosed as a tumor and treated like a tumor in which gland is excised out. The present report describes a case of cherry eye (prolapse of third eyelid) in 18 months old Cocker spaniel. The case was treated by adopting massage method to replace the third eyelid back to its place followed by administration of eye drops. The treatment method was successful as there was no recurrence when the animal was followed-up for 3 months. Keywords Dog; Cherry eye; Third eyelid prolapse; Treatment; Massage method Introduction Cherry eye is a common ophthalmic malady of dogs and rarely of cats in which eversion / prolapse of third eyelid gland does occur. The prolapsed third eyelid makes it vulnerable to the outer environment. Breeds especially Pekingese, Neapolitan Mastiff, Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Bulldog and Basset Hound are more prone to this pathological syndrome (Herrera, 2005; Moore, 1998). The disease could occur in any age but most common in young ones i.e. puppies. This can occur in 2~3 years of age and may be unilateral or bilateral (Christmas, 1992; Gellat, 1991). Genetic basis of the disease are not identified and third eyelid is important in protection of eyes as well as production of tears (Gellat, 1991). The eversion of nictitating gland is written off as glandular hyperplasia, hypertrophy, nictitating gland adenoma, protrusion of gland or cherry eye (Mitchel, 2012). The main cause of prolapse is weakening of supportive ligament that fixes the gland (Schoofs, 1999). The present manuscript is a maiden attempt to report the cherry eye disease in dogs from Pakistan. Case Description A 1.5 years old male dog (Cocker Spaniel) was presented to Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Dept. of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, with a complaint of pinkish lump like structure protruding out at the base of left eye from the medial canthus. The size of the structure was similar to that of cherry with bright pink color. This condition was 15 days standing and the patient was in great stress from the last 5 days due to severe irritation and lacrimation (Figure 1). Physical examination revealed that temperature of the animal was normal i.e. 101.6 0F with severe panting and salivation. Other parameters (Respiration 80 bpm and pulse 90 per minute) were also recorded. Regarding previous treatment, patient was treated with eye drops and systemic antibiotics. The patient was treated by applying the Lignocaine gel on eye (Lidex®, Caraway, Pakistan) and gently massaging the protruded mass clockwise and anti-clock wise by closing the eyelids. After giving 3 rounds of massage each of 4~5 minutes, the prolapsed