Cherry Eye Surgery Experience

no cherry eye

Three days ago

Yesterday

Hours after surgery

 If you are following us on Instagram, you would have seen that the last three days have been crazy.
Three days ago, Levi's (our 12 week old puppy) right eye showed cherry eye.
As a bulldog owner, I have heard of cherry eye and have seen it in several of the bulldog accounts I follow. But I never experienced it until three days ago.
"Cherry eye results from a defect in the retinaculum which is responsible for anchoring the gland to the periorbita. This defect causes the gland to prolapse and protrude from the eye as a red fleshy mass. Problems arise as sensitive tissue dries out and is subjected to external trauma. Exposure of the tissue often results in secondary inflammation, swelling, or infection."

I always thought cherry eye was a gradual thing, however it is not. One day it just decides to pop out. Levi's cherry eye in the right eye was so big. By the morning, it had doubled in size. I was absolutely freaked out.
Luckily, I got a vet appointment that morning. The vet noted that his cherry eye was already starting to be infected, and I was also aware that Levi was trying to paw at it. The vet believed surgery to remove the cherry eye would be best.
I was so worried. I did not want little Levi to have to go through surgery at 12 weeks, but I knew it was for the best.
After we left the vet, he continued to paw and scratch at his cherry eye. 
Ashortwhile after returning home, I noticed that both his eyes now have cherry eye.
I could not believe it. I immediately informed the vet of the change and they indicated that it would be no problem to fix them both at the same time.
Levi had his surgery this morning and all went well.
The only complication being breathing issues after his surgery.

Three hours later, I got to pick him up and bring him home.
​His eyes look like they did three days ago. There is some swelling, but no cherry eye and his breathing has improved.

Overall, I just wanted to share my experience with my friends.
I got a lot of messages saying " he doesn't need surgery, just push the cherry eye back in."
Its true. In some cases, you can massage a cherry eye back in.  Due to the size of Levi's cherry eyes, this was not an option for him. I also received lots of messages saying "use a warm compress and push cherry eye in." I have heard a lot of success stories using this method, but once again it did not work for Levi.
Levi was bothered by his cherry eyes (pawing at them) and they were blocking some of his vision. 
The vet believed surgery was needed,  I believed surgery was needed.
Every dog is different. 
Trust in your vet, trust your gut.
I am happy Levi's baby blue eyes are back to normal but I am more happy to see him healthy and happy.

Thank you to all those who sent prayers and positive vibes. I know it helped<3