Your pet has been prescribed eye drops, but how do you administer them?

If your pet has been diagnosed with a eye condition, the most common treatment given for your pet will be eye drops or an ointment prescribed by your veterinary practice.

It is a good idea before administering the product to ensure that you are aware confident how much is required for each application, and how the product is dispensed from the bottle or tube. Our veterinary surgeons or nurses will be happy to explain and demonstrate for you at your appointment.

Positive reinforcement is extremely valuable in helping your pet get used to the different handling techniques you might need for administering medication.  You can start training in advance to help reassure them they don’t need to worry should they ever need their eyes to be examined or products administered.

1. You might need to get someone to help gently hold your pet when you start, or for their first product application. This second person can give your dog treats to keep them focused. If your dog is particularly nervous, you might wish to use an appropriate sized muzzle during application.
2. Stand or kneel near your dog and gently place one hand under their chin to keep them steady.
3. Hold the product in the other hand and rest the base of your hand on the top of your dog’s head.  Position the tip of the bottle or tube just above the eye requiring treatment.
4. With the same hand gently raise their upper eyelid up.
5. Gently squeeze the product to allow the prescribed amount to be dispensed into the affected eye.
6. Immediately reward your dog with something yummy and lots of praise.