How to put cream in my dogs's eyes?

Pupadoo · 01-08-2009, 03:45 PM

My childhood dog had been living with my mother for the past several years in CA while I lived in NY. I recently moved to NV and when I found out she wanted to put the dog to sleep because she didn't feel like taking care of her anymore I told her I would take her. She is a Lhasa Apso and is 11 or 12 years old now. When I picked her up, she had 2 severe eye infections that I found out she has had for 1-2 years. She is 80%blind but healthy other than that. I took her to the vet the day after I got here and he gave me pills to give her twice a day and cream to apply to her eyes 2-3 times a day. Giving her pills is no problem at all. Getting cream in here eyes is another story. It is nearly impossible to get it in her eyes... plus I have to clean the eyes each time. My boyfriend holds her while I attempt to take care of her eyes but she barks and whines and bites and can't even get anything in her eyes! Does anyone have any ideas how to get the cream in her eyes? Also, she smells terrible (and she was just groomed 2 days ago) because of her eyes. Any advice would be great!

spotted nikes · 01-08-2009, 05:16 PM

Have someone hold the dog. Many times, placing them on a counter/table (still restrained) will make them better behaved. My brother's dog will absolutely not let anyone clip his nails while he is on the ground. Put on a table, and he is a different dog.

Place some cream on a gloved finger. Using your thumb, place your thumb below the eye and use downward pressure to expose the lower inner eyelid. Place cream in the "trough" between the eye/eyelid. Release. Reward.

Pupadoo · 01-08-2009, 06:05 PM

Well, I just bought a muzzle so now she can't bite me LoL. I don't know how I am going to keep up with the for a few months... 3 times a day!

craven.44 · 01-08-2009, 09:40 PM

Maybe try holding her on your lap on her back. Or have someone hold her with her feet off the ground so she has no leverage. Good luck! What medicine is she on? Does it come in drops?

poodleholic · 01-09-2009, 02:36 AM

For wiggleworts, I often will wrap a towel snugly around them, so they can't paw at me. Place your thumb just below the lower eyelid, and gently push downward, so that the rim moves away from the eye, and squeeze a little of the cream or ointment into that area.

You could use sterile saline solution prior to putting the medication in, by using the same method described above. The saline will remove gunk build-up, allowing the medication to work better, faster.

MegaMuttMom · 01-09-2009, 08:05 AM

With my dog I have my husband hold a treat up to his mouth so he can chew on it without snatching it, so he keeps focusing on the treat. I come from behind and above and put the drops in his eye. Coming straight at his face towards his eye just freaks him out. After a few times, he got with the program because he will put up with pretty much anything if a really good treat is involved