Madison Veterinary Hospital has been an independently owned, family-run practice since 1970, serving Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Warren, Troy, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Berkley, Sterling Heights, and the surrounding metro Detroit area. Every recommendation we make is grounded in five decades of hands-on experience, not a corporate script.
What Your Pet’s Eyes Are Trying to Tell You
A dog or cat can’t tell you their eye hurts — but their eyes will show you. Redness, cloudiness, squinting, unusual discharge, or a sudden sensitivity to light are all quiet warnings that something needs attention.
The single biggest factor in how well an eye problem resolves is how quickly it’s caught. Many conditions we treat every week are simple and fast to manage in their early stages, but become painful, expensive, and sometimes vision-threatening if left unchecked for even a few days.
Our veterinary team examines and treats the full spectrum of eye conditions in dogs and cats — from a mild, everyday infection to complex structural problems that need specialist input. When a case calls for a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, we handle the referral ourselves and stay in direct contact with the specialist, so you’re never left coordinating care on your own.
We’re AAHA-accredited and were named among Newsweek’s Best Veterinary Hospitals in America in both 2025 and 2026 — recognition that reflects the same standard of care our clients have relied on for more than 50 years.
When to Call Us Right Away
Some eye problems — corneal ulcers and sudden glaucoma among them — can escalate within hours, not days. Don’t wait to see if it clears up on its own if you notice:
- Redness or irritation in or around the eye
- Squinting, excessive blinking, or one eye held shut
- Discharge that’s watery, cloudy, yellow, or green
- A hazy or cloudy appearance to the cornea or lens
- The third eyelid showing, or pink tissue at the inner corner of the eye
- Pawing at the eye or rubbing the face against furniture or floors
- Obvious light sensitivity
- Swelling around the eye or eyelids
- One eye that looks larger or smaller than the other, or a visible change in eye size
- Bumping into furniture, hesitating in familiar rooms, or other signs of vision trouble
If any of this sounds like your pet, call us. Eye conditions are one of the few areas in veterinary medicine where “let’s just watch it for a few days” can genuinely cost an animal their vision.
Conditions We See and Treat
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the tissue lining the eyelids, usually from bacterial or viral infection, allergies, irritants, or an underlying eye condition. It’s one of the most frequent eye complaints we see. In cats, it’s often tied to feline herpesvirus or calicivirus and can flare up again during stressful periods, so ongoing management is often part of the plan rather than a one-time fix.
Corneal Ulcers and Scratches
A wound on the eye’s clear outer surface, usually from trauma, a foreign object, dry eye, entropion, infection, or a scratch from another animal. These are painful and can deepen quickly, so same-day evaluation matters. Treatment ranges from antibiotic drops and pain control to surgical repair for ulcers that aren’t healing on their own. Breeds with prominent eyes — Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Persians, and Himalayans — are especially prone to this and worth watching closely.
Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)
When the tear glands stop producing enough tear film, the cornea loses its normal protection and becomes prone to inflammation and repeated infection. It shows up as thick discharge, dull or hazy corneas, redness, and general discomfort. It’s typically a lifelong condition, but with consistent topical treatment most pets stay comfortable and keep their vision.
Entropion
The eyelid rolls inward, so lashes or skin rub directly against the eye. Left alone, this causes chronic irritation and can lead to ulcers and scarring. It’s more common in Chow Chows, Shar Peis, Bulldogs, Retrievers, Rottweilers, and other breeds with distinctive facial structure. Surgical correction is the standard fix, and outcomes are generally excellent when addressed before the cornea is damaged.
Cherry Eye
The gland behind the third eyelid slips out of place and appears as a pink or reddish mass in the corner of the eye. Most common in young dogs — Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and Boston Terriers — though cats can develop it too. We typically reposition the gland surgically rather than remove it, since removal raises the risk of dry eye down the road.
Glaucoma
A dangerous rise in pressure inside the eye that can damage the optic nerve and retina. It can be inherited or triggered by another eye condition like lens luxation or uveitis. Sudden onset is a true emergency — sudden pain, redness, cloudiness, a dilated pupil, or a visibly enlarged eye all warrant an immediate call. Chronic cases are managed with medication, monitoring, and sometimes surgery.
Cataracts
Clouding of the lens that can affect vision as it progresses. In dogs, cataracts may be inherited, related to diabetes, caused by injury, or simply age-related; they’re less common in cats. Not every cataract needs surgery, but we track progression closely and refer for surgical removal when vision is significantly affected.
Uveitis
Inflammation of the eye’s middle layer (iris, ciliary body, and choroid), which is painful and can lead to complications like glaucoma or retinal detachment. Causes range from infection and immune disease to trauma, cancer, or systemic illness, so working up the underlying cause with bloodwork and imaging is usually part of the process.
Eyelid Masses and Growths
Common in older dogs, ranging from harmless growths to ones that need closer attention. Even a benign mass can irritate the cornea if it rubs against the eye. We check for these during wellness exams and recommend removal when size, location, or irritation makes it necessary.
Foreign Body Removal
Grass seeds, plant debris, and other small objects can lodge in or around the eye and cause pain, discharge, or corneal injury. We remove these during examination and treat any resulting irritation or damage.
Breeds That Need Extra Eye Vigilance
Some breeds carry a higher genetic or anatomical risk for eye disease, and we see a lot of them throughout Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Warren, and the surrounding towns.
Dogs: Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Chow Chows, Shar Peis, Cocker Spaniels, Retrievers, Rottweilers, Siberian Huskies, Collies, and other herding breeds prone to inherited eye disease.
Cats: Persians, Himalayans, Burmese, British Shorthairs, and other flat-faced or genetically predisposed breeds.
If your pet falls into one of these categories, mention any eye history at every visit, and call us promptly if you notice squinting, redness, cloudiness, discharge, or any behavior change between appointments.
Working With Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Most eye conditions can be fully managed right here. But some cases benefit from the advanced diagnostics and surgical tools a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist offers — complex cataract surgery, advanced glaucoma management, inherited eye disease workups, retinal disease, severe ulcers, or cases that aren’t responding as expected.
When we recommend a referral, we’ll walk you through exactly why, what the specialist can offer that we can’t, and we’ll help manage the logistics so the transition is smooth.
Why Timing Matters So Much With Eyes
A corneal ulcer treated the day it’s noticed almost always heals faster and more predictably than one that’s been left for even a few days. Acute glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss within hours, not days.
Even something that looks minor — a bit of redness, a little extra discharge — is worth a phone call. It’s always easier to be told “this is nothing to worry about” than to wait and find out otherwise.
Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Warren, Troy, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Berkley, Sterling Heights, and neighboring communities have trusted us with their pets for more than 50 years, and we bring that same level of attention to every eye exam we do.
Related Services
Eye care often overlaps with other parts of your pet’s health. Depending on what we find, we may also recommend:
