Before discussing the treatment of Cherry Eye in your Beagle dog, let us first define what Cherry Eye is. Cherry eye is another term used to describe nictitans gland prolapse. This eye condition is common to Beagles and other breeds such as Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese and Basset Hound. In these breeds, the gland of the third eyelid called nictitating membrane prolapses and becomes visible.
Unlike humans, dogs are blessed with three eyelids; upper, lower and third eyelid. This third eyelid located in the corner of the eye is invisible. It contains a tear gland that aids in the production of tears. When this eyelid prolapse, it becomes visible. This condition is called cherry eye. This often appears as round and red or pink mass in the corner of the eye. After the gland prolapse and becomes irritated, swelling with clear or mucus discharge occurs.
There is no known reason why the third eyelid prolapses. It has been said that this condition occurs because of the weakness of connective tissue around the gland. Other factors that could trigger the inflammation of the eyelid include dermatitis, metabolic or immune system problem, cancers, trauma or sun damage. Cherry eye is also considered congenital defect and is passed on from one generation to another.
Upon notice, some owners get alarmed thinking that this mass is a tumor. Fortunately, this condition can be treated with the help of your vet. The vet will first diagnose if it is really a cherry eye. The treatment usually requires surgical procedure to reposition the prolapsed gland, pushing it back to its original position. This procedure done with the help of local anesthesia shows around 80% success rate. In some cases, complete removal of the third eyelid is necessary. However, this treatment will surely affect the stability of the tear gland. Removing the third eyelid will also increase the risk of your Beagle dog to develop keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also called dry eye. KCS is a serious eye disease caused by decreased tear production. Other methods, such as topical or injectable treatments of antibiotics and steroids are used to correct the condition. However, this treatment is not as effective compared to surgical procedure.
Cherry eye is a condition that is not impossible to treat. If left untreated, this condition may often last for up to two or three weeks but in some cases, may lead to more serious eye diseases. If that's the case, you should really be alarmed!
The training of a seeing eye dog is rather difficult because a lot of responsibility is placed upon the dog to keep his or her owner safe. Many individuals are in awe of these dogs because of everything that they do. But that is because the training that they have received is quite strenuous and started when they were puppies, which can be as young as eight weeks old. However, they are usually not ready to be assigned to an owner until they are about two years old. This is how long it takes to make sure these dogs are ready to do what it is they need to do to keep their owner safe.
As for the breeds that are commonly used as seeing eye dogs, the Labrador Retriever is a very common breed. These dogs are very good at being seeing eye dogs, but they are also dogs that remain immature for quite some time. That is why these dogs are still considered to be puppies until they are around the age of three. Another breed that is considered to be a very good seeing eye dog is the Golden Retriever. Retriever breeds are great for training because they are intelligent and are genetically predisposed to serve.
The training program
The dogs do receive their standard obedience training as young as 7 or 8 weeks in a foster home. The puppy is taught to obey their owner out of love. This requires that he puppy is trained using positive techniques such as positive reinforcement. This means that intimidation techniques are not used at all. This is because it is important that a seeing eye dog serves his or her owner out of love and not fear of the owner.
After learning obedience through love and not fear, the dog is then sent to a training facility at around 1 or 1 1/2 years of age to learn the more complex skills of being a seeing eye dog. The dog has to work with an instructor on the obedience commands that were taught in the foster home. This teaches the dog the ability to transfer commands from one individual to another. This skill is very important when being placed with a visually impaired individual.
Once the basic obedience commands are refined, it is time to start on the advanced commands. This includes teaching the dog to walk forward, turn right and left, and stopping at curbs. The dog is taught that their owner will be harmed if they do not stop at curbs. The dogs are also taught to navigate around objects that are both moving and are stationery. The dog learns that their owner will trip and fall if the dog does not do this.
A great companion
It is obvious that a seeing eye dog makes for a great companion. There are other skills that the dogs are taught such as navigating traffic, guiding the owner onto a subway or into a taxi, avoiding distractions, and other things that the owner will encounter during the course of a day. Once the dog has undergone all of this training, the trainer then blindfolds him or herself and lets the dog guide them. This is how they know the dog is ready. In no time, the dog will be placed into the home of a visually impaired individual in serious need of a guide dog to help them function. Not only do they end up with a guide, but they have a companion who means the world to them.
Both Richard Cussons & Amy Nutt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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