ASK THE VET

OWNING a pet can often be a puzzling experience. ENQUIRER columnist Dr. Jeff LaCroix — a top veterinarian — answers readers’ questions about their furry friends.

CHERRY EYE IN DOGS Our four-year-old beagle has been diagnosed with “Cherry Eye.” It doesn’t seem to bother him but our vet has advised us to treat it surgically. This means referral to a specialist and a very big bill. Do we have another choice?

THE watery part of tears is produced by two glands in each eye — the main lacrimal gland and a gland located beneath the third eyelid. This smaller gland may produce 30 percent of total tear film water.

With Cherry Eye, the gland of the third eyelid enlarges and protrudes from its previously hidden position. Years ago the treatment was simply a surgical excision (removal) of the gland. Most veterinary ophthalmologists believe it is important to preserve as much tear production as possible to prevent keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye.

For this reason the gold standard is surgery to return the gland to its normally functional hidden position. Doing nothing or excising the gland are both options, acknowledging there is some chance that, later in life, the chronic application of artificial tears may be needed to prevent KCS.