Basset's third eyelid

dodolah · 10-08-2010, 11:36 PM

Pardon my stupid question...
But, is it normal for a basset hound to have a visible third eyelid?
He was born with this condition. So far, it hasn't bother him at all. But, all his brothers and sisters does not have it.

I was just wondering if it can create a problem in the future

vb3 · 10-09-2010, 12:25 PM

I'm pretty sure all dogs have this. Rosco and Layla both have one. They're more visible when they are sleepy. I believe it is called a nictating membrane and it usually can't be seen in other breeds, but in some dogs they are visible. It's supposed to keep the eye lubricated. Check the link below for more details. Unless it's really red or irritated I wouldn't worry.

Dog Owner's Guide: The eyes have it

Mikey T · 10-09-2010, 04:28 PM

The breed standard calls for a prominate haw. haw, third eyelid, nictating membrane are all the same thing.

FWIW Toughy would never sleep closing his regular eye lids just the nictating membrane.

vb3 · 10-09-2010, 07:41 PM

Yeah, same story here. Rosco in particular only closes the haw when he sleeps, especially if he is holding is head in a certain position.

Dodolah, your dog's membrane looks normal to me. Rosco's wasn't really noticeable when he was younger, but his droopy-eyed look showed up at around 6-8 months of age and it became more obvious.

BrooklynBasset · 10-09-2010, 10:22 PM

I just recently heard about something called "Cherry Eye" that bassets are known to get. Here's a link to read more about it...

Basset Hound Cherry Eyes Problem

Maybe mention it to your vet?

10-08-2010, 11:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
dodolah Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 62	Basset's third eyelid Pardon my stupid question... But, is it normal for a basset hound to have a visible third eyelid? He was born with this condition. So far, it hasn't bother him at all. But, all his brothers and sisters does not have it. I was just wondering if it can create a problem in the future

10-09-2010, 12:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
vb3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 523	I'm pretty sure all dogs have this. Rosco and Layla both have one. They're more visible when they are sleepy. I believe it is called a nictating membrane and it usually can't be seen in other breeds, but in some dogs they are visible. It's supposed to keep the eye lubricated. Check the link below for more details. Unless it's really red or irritated I wouldn't worry. Dog Owner's Guide: The eyes have it

10-09-2010, 04:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mikey T Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: West Warrwick, RI Posts: 7,728	The breed standard calls for a prominate haw. haw, third eyelid, nictating membrane are all the same thing. FWIW Toughy would never sleep closing his regular eye lids just the nictating membrane.

10-09-2010, 07:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
vb3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 523	Yeah, same story here. Rosco in particular only closes the haw when he sleeps, especially if he is holding is head in a certain position. Dodolah, your dog's membrane looks normal to me. Rosco's wasn't really noticeable when he was younger, but his droopy-eyed look showed up at around 6-8 months of age and it became more obvious.

10-09-2010, 10:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
BrooklynBasset Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 30	I just recently heard about something called "Cherry Eye" that bassets are known to get. Here's a link to read more about it... Basset Hound Cherry Eyes Problem Maybe mention it to your vet?

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