Cherry Eye Surgery

Louie's Mom

New Member
My 3 month old pup has cherry eye. We tried massaging it back in place a few times and it didn't work. I've called about 8 different clinics and ophthalmologists around Minneapolis trying to find somewhere to take him for surgery. The specialists are $1,000+ and can't get him in for a couple months. The regular vet clinics are much cheaper and we can get in sooner, but one doctor said we will have better chances of it not reappearing if we go to a specialist. But wouldn't the regular doctor and specialist use the same surgical technique or is it all about experience? I would appreciate any advice on this topic. Or if you live in Minneapolis and can recommend a good doctor that doesn't cost a fortune!
 
I had a dog who had cherry eye surgery as a puppy. We used a specialist and they used the tack down method. He never had a problem the rest of his life and he never had dry eye. Things might have changed in the time since our dog had his surgery but some vets use the tack down method and some remove the gland entirely. There are pros and cons of each. Basically the gland can come untacked and reappear. The removal can cause dry eye. You should read up on both methods and ask the vets which surgery they do. Plus a vet that has extra training in opthalmology usually has more skill than your regular vet. Put it this way, who would you want doing your cataract surgery, an ophthalmologist who has trained for it and done hundreds of surgeries or your GP who hasn't done any?
 
I had a retired show boy who had cherry eye surgery in both eyes before he came to us. Never had a problem, but, he did have dry eye, all we had to do was give him drops once a day.
He had the tack down method.
 
My boy had cherry eye as a pup. Our vet tacked it but it didn't stay down. Our vet is against removing it so Our breeder had her vet remove it and it has has been fine for almost 10 years, no dry eye. I think it depends on the skill and experience of the vet.
 
Princess had hers tacked. Knock on wood, she's been fine since. You might call around and see if there are any other opthamologists who might give a better price. Even if you have to drive a bit, it might be worth it.
 
Thanks for all your stories. We have an appointment next Tuesday with a doc who has done 15+ years of experience with the surgery. He is doing the tack down method. I'm just excited to get it taken care of and hope it goes smoothly!
 
Freya had the surgery. Her regular vet didn't do this procedure and recommended an opthamologist. They wrote up a $2500 quote. I checked with another local vet who had a great deal of experience. They charged about $800. Freya also had a tooth pulled at the same time so the bill was about $1000. It's so hard when you want to take care of your baby but you also need to keep it within your budget. She has a very small one on her other eye but the vet said it wasn't neccessary for the surgery on that one yet.
 
Freya had the surgery. Her regular vet didn't do this procedure and recommended an opthamologist. They wrote up a $2500 quote. I checked with another local vet who had a great deal of experience. They charged about $800. Freya also had a tooth pulled at the same time so the bill was about $1000. It's so hard when you want to take care of your baby but you also need to keep it within your budget. She has a very small one on her other eye but the vet said it wasn't neccessary for the surgery on that one yet.

My Pye is was my first puppy. When I sent in the paperwork to register him with AKC, they sent me back information on pet insurance thru AKC. I went ahead and purchased it.
I have been paying for it ever since and never used it. Pye just turned 4 last month. But seeing so many friends lately experience huge vet bills, I'm glad that I kept it.
 
Hi All -
I just wanted to give an update and ask for advice (again!). Louie had the surgery last month and it didn't work. The cherry looked better for a few weeks and I guess popped back out (it never went away entirely). After multiple weeks on ointment, the vet said we could try it again (for free thank goodness). Today he was in for the surgery and just got home. The doc said it would be crazy swollen, but it looks like the cherry is still there and if anything, it looks worse. Anyway, for anyone that has gone through this procedure, can you tell me how fast your pups recovered? Did the cherry go away immediately after the procedure? And did they tell you to do anything to help the recovery along other than the ointment? Thanks!!!
 
I had no luck with the tacking surgery, it came back so I had it removed. He has been fine since, almost 10 years. He does not have dry eye either. Did they give you some drops to take the swelling down, I believe they are steroids. If not ask for something and give it a little time. Hopefully it will be ok. If you need it removed I would go to a different vet I think. Even tho my vet is experience and very good I took him to someone else for the removal. Actually the breeder took him and had her vet do it. Good luck
 
I had no luck with the tacking surgery, it came back so I had it removed. He has been fine since, almost 10 years. He does not have dry eye either. Did they give you some drops to take the swelling down, I believe they are steroids. If not ask for something and give it a little time. Hopefully it will be ok. If you need it removed I would go to a different vet I think. Even tho my vet is experience and very good I took him to someone else for the removal. Actually the breeder took him and had her vet do it. Good luck

That's good to hear your pup doesn't have dry eye. I read that's very common if you have to do the removal :(
We got an ointment that has steroids in it. His eye looks so bad now it's hard to believe that's all swelling. If this one doesn't work, I would definitely go somewhere else. The doc told me he has been doing this surgery for 15+ years multiple days a week, but I thought this was supposed to be a simple procedure and I'm getting worried...
 
Give it a chance for the swelling to go down then you'll know for sure. Try to keep your pup quiet, hard I know, while it's healing. Rough play can cause the cherry eye to reappear.
 
I would give it a chance like Karen says. I'm hoping it will look better once the swelling is down. You could also seek out an eye specialist.
 
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