Your Pet’s Eyes Can Tell You a Lot. Do You Know What to Look For?
Your pet’s eyes can tell you a great deal about their health. Redness, cloudiness, squinting, discharge, or a sudden reluctance to be in bright light are all signals worth paying attention to, and prompt evaluation often makes a meaningful difference in the outcome. Many common eye conditions in dogs and cats are highly treatable when caught early and significantly more difficult to manage when they are not.
At Madison Veterinary Hospital, our veterinary team evaluates and treats a wide range of ocular conditions in dogs and cats, from routine eye infections to more complex structural and disease-related issues. When a condition requires the expertise of a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, we coordinate that referral directly and communicate with the specialist on your behalf. Our goal is always to get your pet the right care at the right time.
AAHA-accredited and named one of Newsweek’s Best Veterinary Hospitals in America in both 2025 and 2026, we have been providing thorough, compassionate veterinary care to pets throughout the metro Detroit area for more than 50 years.
Signs Your Pet May Have an Eye Problem
Eye conditions can develop quickly, and some, like corneal ulcers and acute glaucoma, require same-day attention. Contact us promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Redness or visible irritation in or around the eye
- Squinting, blinking excessively, or holding one eye closed
- Watery, cloudy, yellow, or green discharge
- Cloudiness or haziness of the cornea or lens
- A visible third eyelid or pink tissue protruding from the inner corner of the eye
- Pawing at the eye or rubbing the face on surfaces
- Sensitivity to light
- Swelling of the eyelids or surrounding tissue
- A visible change in eye size, particularly if one eye appears larger or smaller than the other
- Sudden behavioral changes such as bumping into objects or reluctance to navigate familiar spaces
Some eye conditions are painful and progress rapidly. When in doubt, call us. It is always better to have an eye concern evaluated sooner rather than later.
Eye Conditions We Evaluate and Treat
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the moist tissue lining the inner eyelids and surrounding the eye, is one of the most common eye conditions we see in both dogs and cats. It can be caused by bacterial or viral infection, allergies, foreign material, or irritants. Signs include redness, discharge, and swelling around the eye. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and typically involves topical medications, though systemic treatment is sometimes needed.
In cats, conjunctivitis is frequently associated with feline herpesvirus or calicivirus and may recur periodically throughout the cat’s life, particularly during periods of stress or illness. Management focuses on reducing flare-up frequency and severity.
Corneal Ulcers and Scratches
A corneal ulcer is a wound or defect in the surface of the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. They are painful, can develop rapidly, and require prompt veterinary attention. Corneal ulcers in dogs and cats can be caused by trauma, foreign bodies, dry eye, entropion, or infection. Depending on severity, treatment ranges from topical antibiotic and pain relief drops to surgical intervention for deep or non-healing ulcers.
Brachycephalic breeds with prominent eyes, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Persian cats, and Himalayans, are at particularly elevated risk for corneal injury due to their eye anatomy and should be monitored closely for any signs of ocular discomfort.
Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)
Dry eye, or KCS, occurs when the tear glands produce insufficient tear film to keep the cornea properly lubricated. Without adequate lubrication, the cornea becomes inflamed and damaged over time. Signs include thick, mucoid discharge, dull or hazy corneas, redness, and discomfort. Dry eye is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management with topical medications that stimulate tear production and lubricate the eye surface. With consistent treatment, most affected pets maintain good comfort and vision.
Entropion
Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes and skin to rub against the surface of the eye. It is uncomfortable and, left untreated, causes chronic corneal irritation, ulceration, and scarring. Entropion is most common in certain breeds, including Chow Chows, Shar-Peis, Bulldogs, Retrievers, and Rottweilers, and it is corrected surgically. Our soft tissue surgery capabilities include entropion repair, and outcomes are generally excellent when the condition is addressed before significant corneal damage has occurred.
Cherry Eye
Cherry eye is the colloquial name for prolapse of the third eyelid gland, a condition in which the gland of the nictitating membrane pops out of its normal position and becomes visible as a pink or red mass in the inner corner of the eye. It is most common in young dogs, particularly Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and Boston Terriers, and occasionally in cats. Surgical repositioning of the gland is the standard treatment and is strongly preferred over removal, which can increase the risk of dry eye later in life.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition characterized by abnormally elevated pressure within the eye, which damages the optic nerve and retina and leads to vision loss. It can be primary, meaning inherited, or secondary to other eye conditions such as lens luxation or uveitis. Acute glaucoma is a medical emergency. Signs include sudden eye pain, redness, cloudiness, a dilated pupil, and in some cases a visibly enlarged eye. If you suspect your pet has acute glaucoma, contact us immediately. Chronic glaucoma management involves medications to reduce intraocular pressure and, in some cases, surgical intervention or referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Cataracts
A cataract is an opacity of the lens inside the eye that causes cloudiness and, in advanced cases, vision loss. Cataracts in dogs can be inherited, associated with diabetes mellitus, caused by trauma, or develop with age. They are less common in cats. Not all cataracts require treatment, but progression should be monitored. Surgical removal by a veterinary ophthalmologist is the definitive treatment for cataracts causing significant vision impairment.
Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation of the uveal tract, the middle layer of the eye including the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It is painful, can cause serious secondary complications including glaucoma and retinal detachment, and is associated with a range of underlying causes including infection, immune disease, trauma, and cancer. Evaluation typically includes bloodwork and sometimes imaging to look for an underlying cause alongside local treatment.
Eyelid Masses and Growths
Eyelid masses are common in older dogs and can range from benign meibomian gland adenomas to more concerning growths. Even benign masses can cause corneal irritation if they contact the eye surface. We evaluate eyelid masses at wellness exams and recommend removal when size, location, or growth pattern warrants it.
Foreign Body Removal
Grass seeds, debris, and other foreign material can become lodged in or around the eye and cause significant irritation and secondary infection. We remove superficial ocular foreign bodies during examination and address any secondary corneal or conjunctival damage they may have caused.
Eye Care for Specific Breeds
Certain breeds carry a significantly elevated risk of eye problems due to their anatomy or genetics, and their owners benefit from knowing what to watch for. We see a significant number of brachycephalic breeds throughout Madison Heights, Royal Oak, and Warren, where Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus are particularly popular, and ocular monitoring for these dogs is something we take seriously at every visit.
High-risk dog breeds: 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.
High-risk cat breeds: Persians, Himalayans, Burmese, and British Shorthairs due to their facial structure and predisposition to corneal and eyelid conditions.
If your pet is one of these breeds, mention their ocular history at every visit and do not hesitate to call us between appointments if you notice any changes.
When We Refer to a Veterinary Ophthalmologist
Our team manages a wide range of eye conditions in-house, but some cases benefit from the advanced diagnostics and specialized surgical capabilities of a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. These include complex cataract surgery, advanced glaucoma management requiring surgical intervention, inherited eye disease evaluation and certification, retinal disease, and cases that are not responding to initial treatment as expected.
When a referral is appropriate, we will tell you clearly and honestly, explain what the specialist can offer, and handle the coordination on your behalf. Our goal is always your pet’s best outcome, wherever that care is best delivered.
Prompt Attention Makes a Difference
Eye conditions are among the veterinary concerns where timing matters most. A corneal ulcer evaluated and treated the same day it is noticed heals far more predictably than one that has been present for several days. Acute glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss within hours of onset. Even conditions that seem minor, like mild redness or slight discharge, can be early signs of something that benefits from prompt evaluation.
If something about your pet’s eyes looks or seems different, please do not wait to see if it resolves on its own. Pet owners throughout Troy, Ferndale, Berkley, and Sterling Heights choose Madison Veterinary Hospital for eye concerns specifically because we make same-day evaluations a priority when the situation calls for it. A quick call to our team at 248-399-5225 can help you determine whether you need to come in today or whether a scheduled appointment is appropriate.
Families from across Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Warren, Troy, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Berkley, and Sterling Heights have trusted Madison Veterinary Hospital with their pets’ health for more than 50 years. We bring that same depth of experience and genuine care to every eye exam we perform.
