Itchy pets: researching the causes

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
TERMIZ AGROTECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
INDEPENDENT
WORK
RECEIVED BY:Tog`aymurodov Jasur

ITCHY PETS: RESEARCHING THE CAUSES

Itchy eyes can be a source of discomfort for your pet. To find relief, your dog or cat may scratch at his eye or rub his face along the furniture or the ground. These behaviors can eventually lead to injury and could compromise your pet’s ability to see. Keep reading to learn how to recognize some of the common causes of itchy eyes and how to help your pet.

• Itchy eyes can be a source of discomfort for your pet. To find relief, your dog or cat may scratch at his eye or rub his face along the furniture or the ground. These behaviors can eventually lead to injury and could compromise your pet’s ability to see. Keep reading to learn how to recognize some of the common causes of itchy eyes and how to help your pet.

Common Causes of Itchy Eyes in Pets

• Common Causes of Itchy Eyes in Pets
• Many conditions cause itchy eyes in dogs and cats. These include the following:
• Foreign Objects
• Any foreign object that gets into your dog’s eyes can cause irritation and redness. Your pet may try to get rid of the foreign object by pawing at his eyes. There may also be increased tearing.

If flushing your dog’s eyes with a sterile eyewash fails to dislodge the foreign body, you should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. The foreign body may irritate and damage the cornea, leading to the formation of a corneal ulcer. Your pet may also injure the cornea and other sensitive eye tissues by pawing or rubbing at the eye.

• If flushing your dog’s eyes with a sterile eyewash fails to dislodge the foreign body, you should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. The foreign body may irritate and damage the cornea, leading to the formation of a corneal ulcer. Your pet may also injure the cornea and other sensitive eye tissues by pawing or rubbing at the eye.

Conjunctivitis

• Conjunctivitis
• Also called ‘Pink Eye’, conjunctivitis in pets may affect one or both eyes. Pink Eye is characterized by swelling and redness of the conjunctiva or the membranes that line the eyes and the eyelids.
• Many cases of conjunctivitis in pets are secondary to a primary issue. The condition could be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but it can also be a result of non-infectious causes such as allergies, injury, or irritation.

The eye discharge can be clean and runny or pus-like in color. If your pet’s conjunctivitis is accompanied by squinting, cloudiness of the eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and lethargy, get him to the vet immediately. Early medical intervention is needed, or it can lead to blindness, especially if it’s caused by a more serious condition.

• The eye discharge can be clean and runny or pus-like in color. If your pet’s conjunctivitis is accompanied by squinting, cloudiness of the eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and lethargy, get him to the vet immediately. Early medical intervention is needed, or it can lead to blindness, especially if it’s caused by a more serious condition.

Allergies

• Allergies
• Pets can be hypersensitive to various allergens in their immediate environment. Allergens can be airborne and inhaled by pets. Common airborne allergens include mold, dust, pollen, strong-smelling odors, dust mites, and cigarette smoke. Allergy reactions could also occur as a result of flea bites, contact allergens, or food allergies.