Animal Eye Vet - Marcella Ashton

For pet owners across Southern California, ensuring your beloved companion has the clearest possible vision and freedom from eye discomfort is a priority. When a pet requires more than general veterinary attention for their ocular health, a specialist is essential. **Animal Eye Vet - Marcella Ashton** in Murrieta, CA, stands out as a dedicated and exclusive provider of Veterinary Ophthalmology Services. Founded by Dr. Marcella Ashton, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO), this clinic is the first independently owned and operated exclusive Veterinary Ophthalmology Referral Care service in Riverside County.

Dr. Ashton brings a wealth of global experience, having practiced veterinary medicine in four countries and across four US states, specializing in everything from small animal to exotic and equine practice. This extensive background provides a unique perspective in diagnosing and treating complex ocular conditions in a wide range of species, including not only dogs and cats but also Large Animal and Service Dogs. The practice's sole focus on the eye ensures the team is equipped with the state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical equipment necessary to manage both simple and confounding cases, from dry eye management to critical Emergency eye surgery.

The clinic operates on a Referral Care basis, working directly with a pet's primary veterinarian to provide the highest level of Specialty Services. This collaborative approach ensures seamless, comprehensive care for the animal. Patients often travel significant distances from across Riverside, San Diego, and Orange County to access this level of specialized expertise, illustrating the confidence and trust the Southern California community places in Dr. Ashton’s practice, especially during critical moments of trauma or sudden vision loss. As noted by clients, the practice is characterized by immense compassion and immediate action, such as performing emergency eye surgery within minutes of an initial consultation to save a pet's vision and quality of life.

Animal Eye Vet is conveniently situated to serve the greater Inland Empire and surrounding areas of Southern California. The clinic is located at a new, purpose-built facility dedicated to ophthalmology in the Jefferson Business Center.

**Address:** 26023 Jefferson Ave STE E, Murrieta, CA 92562, USA

This location in Murrieta, CA, makes it accessible for clients traveling from Temecula, Winchester, Lake Elsinore, and beyond. The clinic prioritizes patient and owner comfort and accessibility, offering several important features:

• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot** for ease of access upon arrival.
• **Wheelchair accessible entrance** ensuring smooth entry for all visitors.
• **Wheelchair accessible restroom** for maximum convenience.
• A comfortable Restroom is available for clients.
• **Appointments recommended** to allow the team to prepare for each specialized case and manage time effectively. Given the nature of their Specialty Services and occasional Emergency veterinarian service needs, calling ahead is essential.

As an exclusive Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Animal Eye Vet provides focused and advanced Eye Care and specialty procedures for a variety of animals. Their services are designed to diagnose, treat, and manage all forms of ocular conditions in the most complex cases.

• **Advanced Ophthalmic Examinations:** Complete Pet eye exams using sophisticated techniques like slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy to assess both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye in small animals and large animals.
• **Specialty Services & Surgical Care:** Full Medical And Surgical Services for conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, corneal abrasions, complicated ulcers, corneal lacerations, lens luxations, and Eyelid correction surgery (e.g., for Entropion and Eyelid mass removals). They are equipped for complex procedures like retinal reattachment surgery.
• **Diagnostic Testing:** State-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities including Ocular Ultrasound, Gonioscopy, Tonometry, Schirmer tear testing, and **Electroretinography (ERG)**—a vital test for diagnosing Retinal diseases such as SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome) and PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy).
• **Genetic Screening:** Offering **Dna Testing** blood draw services and advanced testing for hereditary eye diseases, particularly important for breeders.
• **Certifying Examinations:** Providing **OFA Exam** (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Eye Certification Registry examinations for breeders of dogs to screen for inherited eye diseases before they are passed on to future generations. They also offer Equine Eye Registration Foundation Breeder Certification Examinations.
• **Emergency & Urgent Ocular Care:** Available for ocular emergencies and urgent eye surgery referral cases during business hours and, on a case-by-case basis, after hours. They prioritize immediate intervention to manage conditions like ruptured eyes, acute glaucoma, and corneal lacerations to preserve vision.
• **Unique Patient Base:** Providing specialized care for all domestic pets, including Small Animal (dogs, cats, pocket pets), birds, wildlife, and Large Animal (equine and farm animals).
• **Pro Bono Services:** A long-time participant in the Annual ACVO Service Animal Eye Examinations, offering free exams to registered Service Dogs, including those for law enforcement, military, and disabled veterans.

Animal Eye Vet - Marcella Ashton offers several distinct advantages that make it a premier choice for specialized veterinary care in Southern California:

• **Board-Certified Expertise (DACVO):** Dr. Marcella Ashton is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO), signifying the highest level of specialized training and credentialing in veterinary eye care.
• **Exclusive Referral Center:** The facility is designed exclusively for Veterinary Ophthalmology, meaning all resources, equipment, and staff training are concentrated on delivering the best eye care possible. This focus ensures deep expertise beyond what a general Animal hospital can provide.
• **Immediate Surgical Capability:** The ability to perform advanced and Emergency eye surgery, such as for corneal lacerations or acute glaucoma, often immediately upon emergency referral, is a life-changing service for pets with sudden, painful, or sight-threatening injuries.
• **Comprehensive Diagnostic Suite:** The clinic possesses specialized diagnostic equipment, including the ability to perform an Electroretinography (ERG) for retinal evaluations and Ocular Ultrasound, which are critical for diagnosing subtle or complex causes of blindness.
• **Dedication to Working Animals:** Their commitment to providing free Pet eye exams for registered Service Dogs, including those used by the Border Patrol and law enforcement, highlights their support for the community and its most valuable working companions.
• **Wide Species Expertise:** Unlike many specialty clinics, Animal Eye Vet handles a broad range of animals, from typical household pets to Large Animal and Equine ophthalmology cases.
• **Personalized, Independent Care:** As an independently owned and operated practice, Dr. Ashton focuses on personalized, high-quality, and compassionate care, which is often cited as a key reason clients travel long distances—sometimes 60 miles or more—to be seen.

As a specialized Referral Care facility, it is highly recommended to contact the office or have your primary veterinarian call to coordinate the initial appointment for Pet Eye Exams or Specialty Services.

**Address:** 26023 Jefferson Ave STE E, Murrieta, CA 92562, USA

**Phone:** (951) 801-6166

**Mobile Phone:** +1 951-801-6166

For Southern California pet owners facing a serious or complicated eye condition, choosing Animal Eye Vet is fundamentally choosing a concentration of expertise. The facility is not a general Veterinarian, but a dedicated, board-certified center for Veterinary Ophthalmology. This focus translates directly into better outcomes for complex issues like cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal disease, as the team has dedicated their practice to these specific challenges. The real-world experiences of clients, who praise the promptness, kindness, and ability to save their pets’ sight through Emergency eye surgery, underscore the critical value of this specialization.

Furthermore, the clinic's comprehensive diagnostic toolkit, including ERG and Gonioscopy, ensures that a precise and complete diagnosis is made, addressing conditions potentially missed by general practitioners. For breeders, the on-site OFA Exam and Dna Testing for hereditary conditions are invaluable services that contribute to the long-term health of various dog breeds in California. Ultimately, if your animal's vision or ocular comfort is at risk, trusting a practice founded on two decades of specialized training and a commitment to prompt, compassionate intervention, even for those traveling over 60 miles, is the wisest choice for your cherished family member.

Animal Eye Vet - Marcella Ashton

26023 Jefferson Ave STE E, Murrieta, CA 92562, USA