Alternatives to eye drops?

Muggle has got to go to the vets tomorrow as shes had some green discharge coming out of her eye today. Im pretty sure they will say she has an infection and prescribe eye drops. This will be a real problem as Muggle is scared of eye drops and displays real fear aggression (the only time she is remotely aggressive) when a dropper bottle is put near her eyes. Does anyone know of an alternative to eye drops such as a cream or ointment that can be applied by hand? I'd just like to know before we visit the vets. Thanks in advance.

I have heard of an ointment that can be introduced into the corner of the eye. Explain your concerns to the vet - I'm sure they'll be able to come up with something.

My Roxy has on a number of occasion needed treatment for her eyes ( they say it is probably due to allergies )
Roxy has a strong dislike of having her head handled which makes it VERY hard to hold her still enough to apply anything, although we do manage.

My Vet prescribes an ointment which can be put onto you finger and gently placed into the corner of the eye or gently holding the lower lid down a bit and then applying (sounds weird, but easy when shown) It does causes a bit more of a film over the eye than drops, but it works and if it is going to be less stressful for you and your dog then I think it's the way to go.

Good luck, and please let us know how you get on.

Thanks for that. She had mange when she was young and developed a slight infection from the baths. She was very scared and aggressive when it came to applying the eye drops and (on the vets advice) we didn't even finish the course. Luckily it cleared up on its own on that occassion but its something I dread having to go through again. Strangely enough she has no problem with having her head handled or even touching/checking her eyes but has a real problem when the dropper bottle comes near her eye. Hopefully the vet will be happy to prescribe the ointment otherwise we're going to have real problems.

anytime Muggles has just a plain weepy eye you can bath it with a cold cup of chammomile tea on a cotton ball. This works ! You might need to do it a few times a day.. but I have had great results using that on my staffy Jethro over the years. Obviously for a seriously infected eye you need to get stuff from the vets.. Hope Muggles will be okay anyway...

Touch wood not had to use eye drops yet, but I have to say I love you profile of Muggles and the name

Ty had bad eye infections when we first rescued him and OMG what a nighmare it was. In the end we just had to muzzel him and had 3 people holding him and one to put them in........not an experience i want to repeat.....not much help im affraid x

So, we took her to the vet this afternoon. The inside of her eyelid was red raw and as expected she was diagnosed with an infection. The only thing the vet could prescribe was the dreaded eyedrops but as shes ok with having her eyes checked and cleaned with a damp cloth he said it would be fine to apply the drops (which are moer of a thick ointment than a fluid) onto her eyes with clean cotton wool. This is excellent news, will hopefully stop us having to restrain her to put the drops in. First try tonight and so far so good....!

Good luck, hope she's ok with the meds.

Hope all goes well and Muggles acepts his treatment x

Good luck

Hope you have success I'm currently fighting the same battle with an ear infection so I know they are very difficult to control a Staffie that doesn't want to take the medicine.

jstaff wrote:Hope you have success I'm currently fighting the same battle with an ear infection so I know they are very difficult to control a Staffie that doesn't want to take the medicine.

argh the dreaded ear infections......

..the joys of owning a doggie.......

So. 3 or 4 days in and Muggle has decided she definitely doesn't want eye drops again. She snapped at me and tried to take a lump out of my other halfs hand when we did it this evening. Scruff of the neck and smear it on its going to have to be I think. Excellent....

Good news! Muggle has been letting me put the drops in straight from the bottle. I have to do it when shes falling asleep and give her one of the most special treats I can get my hands on afterwards but its a success nonetheless.

bossedaroundbymuggle wrote:Good news! Muggle has been letting me put the drops in straight from the bottle. I have to do it when shes falling asleep and give her one of the most special treats I can get my hands on afterwards but its a success nonetheless.

Great stuff, it'll be cleared up before you no it

good girl Muggles.... you are a she must know you are trying to help her !!