Why do I get dizzy and can't open my eyes when my pet touches my face?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sammie. She will need to see her veterinarian. She may be experiencing vestibular disease which can result in rapid eye movements, a head tilt and circling. This can be due to an inner ear infection, neurological disease, a thyroid disorder, an intoxication or the result of old age. I hope this information helps!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This is a quite generic but concerning presentation. Differentials are many, from gastrointestinal diseases (infection/inflammations often dietary related) to any disease that can spread systemically (causing lethargy for example) like infection, and anything that can cause pain/discomfort. The approach must be logic, starting from offering different kind of food. A check up is needed if inappetence lasts for more than 24hours. A more aggressive treatment is certainly needed after diagnosis has been correctly established. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

There is anisocoria (the two pupils are unequal in size) and possibly ptosis of the upper eyelid (the eyelid cannot open normally) on the left side (where the pupil is bigger). There are many causes that can provoke this presentation: -Corneal injury such as an ulcer. -Disease or injury to the brain or to the nerves running to the affected eye, such as Horner’s syndrome. -Glaucoma, a disease in which there is increased pressure within the eye (the pupil in the affected eye will be dilated). -Uveitis, or inflammation of the interior of the eye (the pupil in the affected eye will usually be constricted). -Retinal disease. -Scar tissue formation between the iris and the lens (called posterior synechia), a condition that may develop following uveitis. -Iris atrophy (a decrease in the amount of tissue within the iris) usually a degenerative change associated with aging. -Congenital defect of the iris, in which the iris tissue does not develop properly. -Cancer within the affected eye. -Spastic pupil syndrome - a syndrome that may be associated with feline leukemia virus infection. -Other infectious diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus or toxoplasmosis. Unfortunately is difficult to be more specific than that and a clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Sissy! I would have Sissy seen today by a Vet. It sounds like she may be having a Vestibular event. The Vestibular system controls balance. Symptoms can show up suddenly and the dog or cat walks drunk, sometimes has a head tilt and their eyes move abnormally (nystagmus). the most common reason is an ear infection or polyp. Other causes are toxin ingestion, brain tumor, trauma, other cancer, Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Sissy should be examined for an ear infection, if present be prescribed ear drop and an oral antibiotic. It can take a few weeks for them to return to normal. In dogs if they have a head tilt it can be permanent. I hope this helps and good luck!

Hi, and thanks for your question. That is likely to be due to a mild to moderate conjunctivitis, probably secondary to an allergy or infection. A check up would be needed as appropriate treatment would include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Corneal injuries must be ruled out as well. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

This sounds like a serious problem, especially given the chronicity. A neurologic problem with the nerves to the face or a neuromuscular problem (facial muscles) may be options. Unfortunately there are many things that could be causing these symptoms. A good place to start is baseline bloodwork to check organ function along with a full neurologic exam by a vet. If your family vet is stumped then referral to a veterinary specialist (internist or neurologist) is indicated. More testing is needed in a case like this in order to know what is the best treatment. Your family vet should be able to provide referral or you can search for a specialist online. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. What you are describing could be neurological in origin. If she continues to exhibit this behavior, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.