MB
melissa bohl
Jun 27, 2026
I rarely leave negative reviews, but I feel obligated to share my experience because it may help someone save their pet’s eye.
On Friday morning, my French Bulldog, Jax, was examined at Animal Eye Guys and diagnosed with an infected corneal ulcer that was documented as being approximately 90% of the depth of his cornea. I was instructed to use the prescribed medications and return Monday morning for a recheck to determine whether surgery would be necessary.
I trusted that recommendation.
Later that same day, Jax’s eye ruptured. I rushed him to Family Pet Medical Center, where the emergency veterinarian immediately treated his pain, sedated him, and administered medication that helped stabilize his eye overnight. The veterinarian there was compassionate, honest, and explained that he needed a veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as possible. I am incredibly grateful to the team at Family Pet Medical Center because, according to the ophthalmologist who operated on Jax the following morning, their emergency treatment helped seal the rupture enough to preserve the eye until surgery could be performed.
On Saturday morning, I was fortunate to find an emergency veterinary ophthalmologist in West Palm Beach who personally called me back and told me to bring Jax in immediately. After reviewing Animal Eye Guys’ records and examining Jax, she explained that a corneal ulcer this deep is generally considered a surgical emergency because waiting increases the risk of rupture. Unfortunately, by that point, Jax’s eye had already ruptured, making the surgery more extensive than it likely would have been had it been performed before the rupture occurred.
What upsets me most is that I was never told there would be no ophthalmic surgeon available over the weekend or advised to seek emergency surgical care elsewhere if surgery could not be performed until Monday. Had someone simply said, “We don’t have a surgeon available until Monday. Because this ulcer is so deep, you should consider contacting another specialty hospital that can perform surgery sooner,” I would have left immediately to find another ophthalmologist.
This also wasn’t an isolated visit. Over the years, I brought Jax to Animal Eye Guys numerous times for recurring problems with the same eye. We went through multiple diagnoses and treatments, including suspected herpes, an ulcer, dry eye, allergies, steroids, and other medications, but his eye problems continued.
I understand that veterinary medicine is not always straightforward and that no doctor can guarantee an outcome. However, when a pet has a documented 90%-depth infected corneal ulcer and surgery cannot be performed for several days, I believe pet owners deserve to be informed of the urgency of the condition and told that seeking immediate surgical care elsewhere is an option.
Because I sought emergency care Friday night and continued searching until I found an ophthalmologist willing to see Jax on Saturday morning, he was able to receive surgery. I truly believe the care he received at Family Pet Medical Center and the prompt surgery by the emergency ophthalmologist gave him the best possible chance to save his eye.
I sincerely hope Animal Eye Guys improves how they communicate urgent cases so that no other family has to experience what ours did.
READ BELOW FOR THE EMERGENCY DOCTOR INFORMATION
I also want other pet owners to know that if you ever find yourself in a similar emergency, don’t assume you have to wait until Monday. I was fortunate enough to find Animal Eye Specialty Clinic in West Palm Beach, which has an emergency on-call ophthalmologist. The doctor personally returned my call within minutes on a Saturday morning and had us come in immediately. Thanks to the emergency care Jax received the night before at Family Pet Medical Center and the prompt surgery performed by the ophthalmologist at Animal Eye Specialty Clinic, he had the best possible chance to save his eye. I hope this information helps another family if they ever face the same frightening situation.