If your pet has been prescribed medications by your vet, it is very important the course is administered correctly. Please ensure to read the label carefully. Datasheets will be included with the medicine, which you should read, and discuss with your vet or vet nurse if you have any concerns. Some medicines have special storage requirements, so take care to pay attention to these.

Please remember: if your pet is receiving a number of topical eye medications these cannot be applied all at once. Leave at least 10 minutes in between application of different drops to allow each to have adequate effect before the next one is applied. Drops should be applied first, then creams or suspensions, and finally ointments. 

Holding your pet adequately to allow administration, especially if your pet has a sore eye, can be difficult. It is usually best to have your pet on a table for administration of eye medication. If you have an assistant, they should hold your pet from behind with one hand on either side of his/her head just below the ears. If you are administering drops alone, for dogs it is generally most practical to have your pet backed into the corner and whilst you stand over his/her shoulders you can lift the end with one hand and administer drops with the other. Cats can be tricky, but gently wrapping in a towel to contain his/her legs can be helpful.

1. Using a cotton wool swab soaked in saline, gently remove any eye discharges.

2. Using your thumb, lift your pet’s chin with one hand and gently pull back their upper eyelid with your forefinger.

3. Holding the bottle of eye drops with the other hand angled towards the eye surface, squeeze to allow one drop to fall onto the white part of the eye (sclera)

4. Hold the head up for a count of three to avoid the medicine running off

5. If there is any moisture around the eye pat this dry with some clean kitchen towel. 

6. The dropper bottle should NOT contact any part of your pet, or the contents may be contaminated with bacteria.

1. Often only a very small amount is required, such as with Optimmune Eye Ointment.

2. Wash your hands well.

3. Using your thumb, lift your pet’s chin with one hand and gently pull up their upper eyelid with your forefinger.

4. Apply the required amount of medication to the inside of the upper eyelid.

5. Release the eyelid and ensure the lids close completely to ensure the medicine is spread across the eye surface.

6. Again, the tube of ointment should NOT contact any part of your pet, or the contents may be contaminated with bacteria.

7. Wash your hands well to remove any traces of medication.