The proper administration of eye medications is essential for your pet’s prompt recovery. Make sure that you wash your hands both before and after administering the medication to prevent the potential spread of infection.
If your dog’s eye is painful, you may need to have someone assist you with restraint or you may need to place a muzzle on your dog.
• Make sure you have carefully read the label and understand the prescription instructions.
Hold the bottle using your thumb and index finger. You may want to rest this hand on the top of the dog’s head to help stabilize it. .
With your other hand, use your thumb to pull down the lower eyelid. Place your remaining fingers under the dog’s jaw to support the head. The lower eyelid acts as a pouch to receive the drops.
• Hold the bottle close to the eye but make sure you DO NOT touch the eye’s surface.
Squeeze the prescribed number of drops onto the eyeball, aiming for the center of the eye. Release the head.
• The dog will blink, spreading the medication over the surface of the eye.
Make sure you give your dog plenty of praise throughout the procedure and offer a treat when you are finished.
Based on material written by Ernest Ward, DVM. and modified with permission from Lifelearn Inc.
© Copyright 2005 Lifelearn Inc.
