Saggy eyes? Pink bottom lid?

[Rebecca23]

Hi guys,

I read a thread in here a while ago that discussed "saggy eyes" on cockers that actually were just the pigmentation of the third lid. What's the technical term of this? Someone also said that the breeder can see this as soon as the pup opens its eyes so can advise which pups would have it as an adult? Can anyone elaborate for me as I can't find the thread!

Thanks very much for any replies x

[debbiedaywalker]

I think it's called the 'haw,' my first Cocker's eye rims were not tight and you could see the haw on one of them, but it never caused her any problem whatsoever.

[Jane S]

There's a difference between saggy lower lids and unpigmented third eyelids which is what I think you're talking about? The lower lids shouldn't be saggy (that's called ectropion) but unpigmented third eyelids just means there's a lack of pigment in the third eyelid which is fairly common (particularly in particolours) and has no health significance at all. Unpigmented third eyelids are barely noticeable if the lower lids are nice and tight but they're very obvious if the lower lids are droopy. And yes breeders can tell which pups have unpigmented thirds eyelids fairly early on but droopy eyelids aren't necessarily obvious until pups are older.

[Rebecca23]

Great, thanks so much! That's good to know so I can talk to my breeder about that