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Please help me. I have a dog that has dry eye, and after flushing her eyes, I have to apply an ointment in her eye. She fights me, and the ointment gets all over face instead of her eyes.
Anyone have a trick to make it easier for both of us? She's a small dog, lhasa apso mix, about 15 lbs. I live alone, so there's no one to help me. Thanks.
Hold the dog facing away from you by placing your arm around the neck , reach up and pull the lower eyelid down and apply the save into the lower eye lid.
if your scared of poking the eye, put some save on the tip of a Q-tip then apply to the lower eye lid.
I hold the salve tube in the same hand as the one I pull the eyelid down w/. The hold described by the other poster is helpful. I find putting it on the lower lid easiest. Then I sort of pinch the lids together, gently, but it helps keep the salve in the lower eye area, and then it sort of distributes while you're holding the lids together. Treat generously each time, then it becomes a good thing. My dog will now lay down, relunctantly, but quietly when I have to doctor her ears or do salve in the eyes. Hope this helps,
I have to wrap Bo in a large bath towel, facing away from me. Still a fight, but if DH isn't here to help that's what I do. Also, a treat first and after.
I won't use a q-tip or the tube. I make sure my hands are washed well and my fingernails short. I put on rubber disposable gloves. I put the ointment on my finger. (I just feel more comfortable knowing that my finger won't likely hurt them if they jerk.) Once I'm completely ready (I don't let them see me get ready), I go at them from behind, put my arm around to the front and slide it in with my finger. Then, of course, I make a super big deal and give treats.
I struggled with this until the vet told me to hold the tube in your hand or armpit for a few minutes. This makes the ointment flow so much better and you can quickly lay a bead on the eye.
I won't use a q-tip or the tube. I make sure my hands are washed well and my fingernails short. I put on rubber disposable gloves. I put the ointment on my finger. (I just feel more comfortable knowing that my finger won't likely hurt them if they jerk.) Once I'm completely ready (I don't let them see me get ready), I go at them from behind, put my arm around to the front and slide it in with my finger. Then, of course, I make a super big deal and give treats.
This sounds like a good idea. I tried using the tube because the ointment seeps out on its own and I can get a good long strip of it out so I don't get too close too the eye, but the dog still struggled with me. So I think I'll try using my finger, that way it won't be a sharp jab if she jerks, like you said above.
A few years ago, I had another dog with the same problem, but it was a breeze to treat her. She'd just sit and wait while I opened the tube and would extend her neck out, eyes wide open, and just wait for it. Whoever had her before she came to me must have treated her regularly for some time (she was old, about 12).
This sounds like a good idea. I tried using the tube because the ointment seeps out on its own and I can get a good long strip of it out so I don't get too close too the eye, but the dog still struggled with me. So I think I'll try using my finger, that way it won't be a sharp jab if she jerks, like you said above.
The other reason I use my finger is because I don't want to get germs on the tube. I'm very careful to not touch the tube twice without clean hands. Once I've touched the eye, I can't touch the dispenser part of the tube again with that. Don't want to transfer disease from the eye to the tube. Even if there's not an infection, don't want to transfer any germs to the tube. I don't care if ointment gets all over the face. As long as oitment gets in the eye, I'm happy! LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by steelstress
A few years ago, I had another dog with the same problem, but it was a breeze to treat her. She'd just sit and wait while I opened the tube and would extend her neck out, eyes wide open, and just wait for it. Whoever had her before she came to me must have treated her regularly for some time (she was old, about 12).
I've never had a dog like that. Heck, I never had a kid like that!
I put the ointment on my fingertip and put it in the inner corner of her eye. She's a lot more comfortable with my hand coming toward her face than a q-tip or the tube.
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