Dog balks at eyedrops

#Middlebury #Dogs #EyeDrops

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My dog is being prepared for corrective eye surgery and has to be given special drops. However, Maisie won’t hold still for me at all, and I can’t get the drops in. What can I do? – Lauren, via email

DEAR LAUREN: Pets don’t like being given medicine, and they really, really don’t like getting eyedrops. Approaching Maisie head-on or holding the eye dropper directly over her eye will freak her out. Instead, keep her comfortable and unaware of the dropper until the very last moment.

Here’s how:

• Approach her from the side, and pet her into a sitting position, giving lots of praise. If she is a large dog, have a friend cradle her from the side or stand behind her, placing your legs behind her shoulders so she can’t back up. If she is small, cradle her until she is calm.
• Cup one hand below Maisie’s chin so you can gently lift her head upward.
• Quickly wipe the eyes clean using a damp cotton ball or cloth.
• Unscrew the eyedropper top or have a friend do it where Maisie can’t see.
• Lift her head and gently tug down her lower eyelid.
• Bring the eye dropper up and hold it at an angle to the eye so it’s close but not directly in her view.
• Gently tug her upper eyelid upward and quickly put a drop into the eye, being careful not to touch the eye.
• Repeat with the other eye.
• Wipe away excess medicine with a clean cotton ball.
• Give Maisie a treat right away she deserves it!

For visual details, watch this video by VideoJug/Battersea Dogs & Cats Home: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8TtdwnPpzo.

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