everted third eyelid

[Gina and Finn]

Has anyone had a dog who developed this? The cartilage in the third eyelid has a kink (for lack of a more scientific term) and the third eyelid rolls outward over itself .You can roll it back but it pops right over again. Just wondering how commonly it is seen. Dog opthamologist says seeing a little more of it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's some info I found on-line:
The gland of the third eyelid may become everted. The exposure to the air will cause the gland to become red and the condition is called cherry eye. Because the gland produces 30-to-60% of the tears, it should not be removed. Surgery should be performed to replace the gland and thus preserve its function.
Occasionally in young patients, the third eyelid will become folded causing a 'funny' look to the eye (everted third eyelid). This folding often leads to excessive tearing. This eversion is irritating to the patient and should be corrected surgically.

http://www.animal-eye-specialists.com/eyelid.htm

I have heard of cherry eye, and inverted third eyelid, which I believe is related to entropion. Entropion is fairly common in doodles. But I hadn't heard of an everted third eyelid before. Will Finn need surgery?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's another reference. Apparently, this is a genetic condition in certain breeds, including Golden Retrievers:

"Occasionally, the third eyelid in dogs will fold over on itself, causing an eversion. Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and Saint Bernards appear to have inherited traits for this condition."
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2092&aid=434

I would definitely notify your breeder. I'm sorry Finn has this problem.

[Gina and Finn]

The gland is not everted,which is cherry eye, just the lid and it is not really causing him any discomfort. It was looking quite red one day and I was checking in with the vet andyway so we looked closer to see if he had poked himself in the eye and had a laceration or irritation. She immediately saw that the third eyelid had rolled over and thought he might have torn it. It is red because we are looking at the inside of the eyelid (much like if we rolled back an eyelid.) She rolled it back but was puzzled that it won't stay. The vet contacted the dog opthamologist for further info. Some websites I saw said it is only a cosmetic issue but the vet and opth both feel that overtime his tears will not drain effectively and that could lead to irrritation or infection. It can be corrected surgically be removing the piece of cartilage in the lid and the lid will remain intact and functioning. It is an outpatient surgery procedure.The opth said she sees it more lately as goldenddoldles are more popular now and so the population percentage is higher.Finn,however is a labradoodle. There are other large breed dogs they also see it in and he is a standard (60lb) dog.It is not an emegency or causing him any bother but I will have it corrected .

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So it is this part of the above description?
"Occasionally in young patients, the third eyelid will become folded causing a 'funny' look to the eye (everted third eyelid). This folding often leads to excessive tearing. This eversion is irritating to the patient and should be corrected surgically."

I hope Finn has the best possible outcome!

[Gina and Finn]

Yes, that is it exactly. It is barely noticable and if I can get a good picture I will post it so you can see. If we hadn't been at the vet anyway I don't know that I would have thought it worth checking out.He isn't tearing any more than normal. Glad I did though. Thanks for your help and good wishes, he is the gentlest sweet boy and I would feel so badly if there was something I could do for him and didn't.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Believe me, I know exactly what you mean.
Good luck!