April 2, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, How to, Pet Meds

When your dog has an eye infection or other conditions affecting its eyes, a common medication is eye drops. Administering medication into a dog's eye can be uncomfortable and frightening for a dog, since this is an unfamiliar experience. However, there are some ways you can make it as comfortable as possible for your pooch.

When you first get the medication prescription from your vet, be sure to ask whether it stings. Certain eye drops can be irritating to the dog's eye at first, like Pilocarpine, pet drugs for glaucoma. These can be especially irritating when the dog's eyeball is dry, so ask your vet if you can use some artificial tears drops beforehand to lessen the sting. LiquiTears are a good option for relieving burning and stinging feelings in the eyes.

Even if you are administering pet products that don't sting, the act of having liquid dropped in the eyes can be frightening for your dog. That is why you will want to have some treats handy to reward your dog directly afterward. Choose its favorites like Greenies Dental Treats for Dogs or give it a spoonful of peanut butter.

To put the drops in your dog's eyes, have it sit and sit down next to it, facing the same direction. Have it lie down on its side with its spine against your right leg. With the medication in your right hand, reach over your pet's body, resting your hand on its muzzle, just below the eye. The pressure should make the eyelid droop down a bit so you can get the medicine in that pocket.

Do not aim for the middle of the eye, instead aim for the inner corner or the pocket made when you pull down on its lid. Use as little restraint as possible, and stay very calm – this will set the tone for how your pooch is feeling. Follow the same procedure for the left eye, and give your dog a treat or some pet food immediately after and tell it it did a good job using a positive, happy tone.

Many eye medications are given when your dogs eyes are too dry, or if the dog tears excessively. If your dog is white and it has a lot of tears, you may start to notice rusty colored stains under its eyes. These occur because of the chemical reaction of the tears and the white fur. You can get rid of them by sprinkling Angels' Eyes for Dogs on its food. 

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