Instructions
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Your dog is prescribed eye ointment. No problem. Here’s how you apply it. Start by washing your hands to prevent contamination and avoid spreading the infection. Gently clean any debris from your dog’s eyes with warm water and a washcloth. Now for the ointment. Hold the tube in your hands briefly to warm it and soften it. Squeeze the tube-like toothpaste
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so the ointment is near the tip, but don’t remove the cap yet. There are different ways to position your dog when applying eye ointment, and there is no right way to do this. Only the way that works best for you and your dog. If you have a larger dog. Try having them sit with their rear end in the corner of a room, which will deter them from backing away from you.
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Straddling them can also work. Active dogs may need a little distraction, such as a chew or a favorite toy, to help them settle for a smaller dog. You can sit on the floor and have them sit in front of you with their rear end between your legs. You can also have them sit on your lap or beside you in a chair.
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And in all cases, a second person may be helpful. Now that you’ve got your dog in a comfortable position, hold the tube between your thumb and index finger with the tip pointed downwards with your other hand. Gently tilt your dog’s head up. You can gently rest the hand holding the tube on your dog’s head for stability. And then use your available fingers and thumb to spread the top and bottom eyelids.
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Hold the tube tip close to your dog’s eye, but do not touch the eye surface with the applicator. Squeeze the prescribed amount of ointment directly onto the eyeball, aiming for the center of the eye or into the pocket created by lifting the lid. You may need to close your dog’s eyelid to get the ointment to release from the tube.
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Blinking will naturally spread the medication over their eye. If your dog is struggling, you can release them. Otherwise, reward them with massage and treats. Here’s a few extra pieces of advice. It’s important to keep the tube tip clean, so don’t let it come in contact with your dog, their eye, or any other surface. You can help your dog learn to not be afraid of the tube by showing it to them and letting them see you hold it without actually giving it to them.
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And lastly, take this process as slow as you need to give yourself and your dog time to work through it together. Here are a few key things to remember when applying eye ointment. Find a position that’s comfortable. Keep the tube tip clean and praise your dog when it’s over. Applying eye ointment may not go as planned the first time or even the 10th time, but as a pet owner, you do the best you can because your dog is worth it.