administering eye drops
Submitted by amos1 on April 4, 2012 - 12:09amhey all, so amos and his eyes are healing ok but i am having the darndest time administering eye drops. HE HATES IT!! He growls, pushes away and nips at us. He is almost 6 months and everybody we ask about this says its a dominance issue. Any thing I can do to let him know I am in charge... or get these eye drops in a little easier? We try disrtactig him with treats but that never worked..
Thanks for any input..
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amos1
we found it easier as a team -
When we had to use drops with Gizmo, we found it easier as a team -
1st - a kitchen floor, where they can't get too much traction
2nd - we try to get her butt in the corner of the room - so she can't scoot backwards - you can also have her back into your crotch area (1 person kneeling, legs slighly spread, the puppy backs into the 'V' of your legs - I hope I described that well enough
3rd - nothing fun about it, but LOTS of praise and treats afterwards - to atleast make them feel better.
4th - the corner of the eye, I think is easier than a drop right on the eyeball itself (if it can be applied that way)
anyone else have suggestions?
Last steps taken May 26, 2014 -- Been rolling along ever since . . . .
A couple of tricks I learned
My Stella was the Queen of eye problems, so I learned a lot.
The best tip I ever got was to put the drops in your pocket (or bra in my case) for a little while to warm them up to body temperature. It's less shocking than the cold drops. The same applies to ear drops. It's a miracle the difference it makes!
Secondly, put the drops in when he's in a dead sleep. Just pull the bottom eye lid out and plop them in there. Try to get as close as you can to the eye so it doesn't drop from above and be too much of a "PLUNK" into the eye. If at all possible, trickle them in.
If the drops are just too much of a challenge, you can ask your vet if he has the same meds but in a salve form. Sometimes it's easier to use then the drops.
In general, get your bully used to you playing with every part of his body. He's still young so you've got time. When he's relaxed and your snuggling on the sofa, play with his ears, stick your fingers in there gently, put your hands over his eyes, play with his tail. All gently and relaxed. It will help him get used to you "manhandling" him. You'll likely have many more interventions over his liftime, and it really helps to get them used to it.
I know how this goes. Sadie is the bulldog from hell when it
comes to dealing with eyedrops, toes, mouth you name it. She will eat us up. One thing we have found that works is to place her on the counter the same way they do at the vets office. She will let us do what we need to do, but forget about it when she is on the floor. Good Luck
I agree....
Get a Dollar store rubber bath mat for her to stand on on the counter. Be matter of fact and quick....just like the vet. Just get everything ready, decide you're going to do it and go to it. Also, I agree, it's important to get as close as possible to avoid the "plunk" and deposit the drops in the outside corner. Have a treat ready for when you're done. Good luck!
good tips
thanks all for the suggestions. We have in fact been sneeking them in while he has been sleeping which has been a god send but I like the idea of warming them a bit and didn't even think about not trying to let them kerplunk in the eye. I really appriciate all of the feedback i have recieved on this board and am so thankfull !
amos1
Agree - I use my grooming table
for anything that they are not liking. Never had trouble with eye drops though. They are usually a little worried being on a counter or table and seem to be easier to handle.