What Your Pet’s Eyes Are Trying to Tell You
Pets can’t tell you their eye hurts, but squinting, redness, cloudiness, discharge, or sudden sensitivity to light usually will.
Some eye problems get worse fast, so don’t sit on a change. Call us when you notice something different about your pet’s eyes, and we’ll tell you how soon they should be seen.
At Madison Veterinary Hospital, we diagnose and treat most common eye problems right here. When a case needs a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, we set up the referral and stay in touch with the specialist.
We’re AAHA accredited and were named one of Newsweek’s Best Veterinary Hospitals in America in 2025 and 2026.
When to Call Us Right Away
Some eye problems, like corneal ulcers and sudden glaucoma, can get worse within hours. 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 you see any of these, call us for advice. If it happens when we’re closed, go to an emergency veterinary hospital instead of waiting for a regular appointment.
Conditions We See and Treat
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the tissue that lines the eyelids, usually from a bacterial or viral infection, allergies, irritants, or another eye problem. It’s one of the eye complaints we see most. In cats it’s often tied to feline herpesvirus or calicivirus and can flare up again when they’re stressed, so it’s often managed over time rather than fixed once.
Corneal Ulcers and Scratches
A wound on the clear outer surface of the eye, usually from an injury, something caught in the eye, dry eye, entropion, infection, or a scratch from another animal. Ulcers hurt and can get deeper quickly, so we want to see them the same day. Treatment ranges from antibiotic drops and pain control to surgery for ulcers that won’t heal. Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Persians, and Himalayans have prominent eyes and get ulcers more often.
Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)
When the tear glands stop making enough tears, the cornea loses its protection and gets inflamed and infected again and again. You’ll see thick discharge, a dull or hazy eye, redness, and general discomfort. It’s usually lifelong, but with regular eye medication most pets stay comfortable and keep their vision.
Entropion
The eyelid rolls inward, so lashes or skin rub right on the eye. Left alone, it causes constant 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 faces. Surgery is the usual fix, and results are generally excellent if it’s done before the cornea is damaged.
Cherry Eye
The gland behind the third eyelid slips out of place and shows up as a pink or red lump in the corner of the eye. Most common in young Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and Boston Terriers, though cats can get it too. We usually put the gland back in place surgically instead of removing it, because removing it raises the risk of dry eye later.
Glaucoma
A dangerous rise in pressure inside the eye that can damage the optic nerve and retina. It can be inherited or set off by another eye problem, like a displaced lens or uveitis. Sudden glaucoma is an emergency. Pain, redness, cloudiness, a dilated pupil, or an enlarged eye all mean you should call right away. Long-term cases are managed with medication, regular checks, and sometimes surgery.
Cataracts
Clouding of the lens that can blur vision as it gets worse. In dogs, cataracts can be inherited, linked to diabetes, caused by an injury, or just part of aging. They’re less common in cats. Not every cataract needs surgery, but we keep a close eye on them and refer for removal when vision is badly affected.
Uveitis
Inflammation inside the eye (the iris, ciliary body, and choroid). It’s painful and can lead to glaucoma or a detached retina. Causes range from infection and immune disease to injury, cancer, or illness elsewhere in the body, so finding the cause with bloodwork and imaging is usually part of treatment.
Eyelid Masses and Growths
Common in older dogs. Some are harmless and some need a closer look. Even a harmless growth can irritate the eye if it rubs against it. We check for them at wellness exams and recommend removal when the size, location, or irritation calls for it.
Foreign Body Removal
Grass seeds, plant bits, and other small debris can get stuck in or around the eye and cause pain, discharge, or a scratch. We remove them during the exam and treat any irritation or damage they caused.
Breeds That Need Extra Eye Vigilance
Some breeds are more likely to have eye problems because of their genes or the shape of their face. Knowing your pet’s breed and eye history tells us what to watch for. We see a lot of these breeds from Royal Oak and Berkley.
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 is one of these breeds, mention any eye history at every visit, and call us right away if you notice squinting, redness, cloudiness, discharge, or any change between appointments.
Working With Veterinary Ophthalmologists
We handle most common eye problems here. Complex cataract surgery, advanced glaucoma, inherited eye disease, retinal problems, and severe ulcers or other conditions that aren’t responding to treatment may need a specialist.
When we recommend a referral, we’ll explain why and what the specialist can do that we can’t, and we’ll help with the arrangements so the handoff is easy.
Why Timing Matters So Much With Eyes
Treating a corneal ulcer quickly can limit the damage, though how well it heals depends on how deep it is, what caused it, and whether there are complications. Sudden glaucoma can cause permanent blindness within hours.
Any change in redness, discharge, or comfort is worth a phone call. Tell us what you’re seeing and we’ll help you decide what to do next.
Call our Madison Heights team if you have concerns about your pet’s eyes or vision.
Related Services
Eye care often overlaps with other parts of your pet’s health. Depending on what we find, we may also recommend:
