My 4y/o cockapoo has cherry eye that refuses to resolve itself. My small vet office referred me to a full-service office and told me to have my dog's tear ducts pinned back and not removed.
At the new vet, he disagreed. He said that the pin-back (or pocket surgery) is way more complicated, requires a hard-to-find specialized optometrist surgeon to get right, potential of cherry eye returning, much greater expense, and a harder and longer post surgery heal.
He strongly advocated for removal (a 10 min laser procedure that heals super fast) In fact, his office doesnt even perform the pin back or artificial pocket surgeries and I would have to find another office if I wanted that. He did say that chronic dry eye was a risk if I removed the tear duct or left the cherry eye untreated, but that care for chronic dry eye is easy if it happens. The internet typically says go with the pocket surgery but im not sure if I should trust random internet advice over a professional.
Also, if it matters, im not super finacially secure. I do OK but surgery costs are a big concern for me. Obviously I am considering a cheaper procedure, but I do want to make the best choice for my dog if I can afford it.
I guess what I am asking is what other professionals would recommend.