Prolapse Of The Nicititans Gland - Dogs and Cats

Prolapse of the Nicititans Gland is also known as Cherry Eye or prolapse of the third eyelid gland.

Signalment

More common in dogs than cats. Beagles, American Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Burmese cats are all considered predisposed. Seen in young animals, possibly due to the lymphoid tissue of the gland reacting to environmental antigens.

Clinical Signs

Reddish soft follicular mass protruding from behind the third eyelid.

Treatment

Surgical correction, either by anchoring or pocketing techniques. Recurrence can occur with either surgical technique. Consider pre-surgical treatment with topical antibiotics and steroids] if the gland is inflammed or infected.

Removal of the gland should be avoided as it can predispose to Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca.

Control

Consider not breeding from affected animals.

References

Maggs, D et al (2007) Slatter's Fundamentals Of Veterinary Ophthalmology (Fourth Edition) Saunders

Peiffer, Robert J, and Petersen-Jones, Simon M (2008) Small Animal Ophthalmology (Fourth Edition) Saunders