Dry Eye & Drops (shih tzu, vet, shaking, best) - Dogs - - City-Data Forum

mindy410 · 02-09-2011, 04:53 AM

Ok so I have a 15 year old shih tzu he has dry eyes and I have to put drops in every morning. Any suggestions on how to do it with a dog that hates to be picked up and hates to have drops put in. I have anxiety attacks every morning before I wake up knowing whats ahead of me. I have to chase after him until I can catch him and pick him up and the whole time he is wiggling trying to get away. Stick him in the sink and he is trying to jump out. I struggle for 10 minutes and finally get the drops into his eyes. THe whole time Im shaking and so is he. I have a real bad shoulder now because of it and its always in pain now. Im so overwhelmed. I know it sounds ridiculous but I have lost 15 pounds since the summer dealing with this. Any suggestions on a easier way to get the drops in. Thanks

dogpaw · 02-09-2011, 07:41 AM

You need to relax. Your dog is reacting to your anxiety which is not helping the situation.

One of my dogs has dry eye, I prefer the ointment to the drops, she has gotten better about letting me put it in her eye, she's about 70 lbs and it wasn't easy in the beginning, I found that if I was relaxed then she was too. I always give her a treat when I'm done. Is there anyone in the home that can hold the dog while you put the drops in?

One thing you can do with the ointment is either wash your hands or wear a latex glove and put the ointment on your finger and place it on the inside of the upper eye lid.

Have you asked your vet if they can help you in showing you the best way to administer the drops?

I would also not put the drops in untill you and the dog are relaxed, try wrapping a towel or blanket around him and see if that calms him down.

gigimac · 02-09-2011, 09:29 AM

Mindy,
I have a couple tips. First, I think you might change when you put in drops, make it perhaps at dinnertime. Second, warm up the drops, husband used to stick the little bottle under his arm for a few minutes, maybe lay it on the heat vent. Third, breathe deep, and in one smooth motion, crouch to the floor, move bottle from behind and over top of head whilst quickly opening his eye, drop, drop. He won't know what hit him. Hope this helps.
GG

mindy410 · 02-09-2011, 10:12 AM

I think I might try to put the drops in at night when he is tired so maybe he cant fight me as much. First thing in the morning he has energy due to sleeping all night. He has to go into the sink to have it done beacsue he doesnt let anyone touch him anymore. You cant pat him or go near him or he runs away. He has gotten skidish the last few years and you cant touch him now. No its not from pain. I think its beacuse he has limited vision now due to the dry eyes. Mindy