How to Apply Ophthalmic Ointment for Dogs

Just like their human owners, man's best friend can succumb to eye infections. After a visit to the veterinarian and diagnosis, a dog owner can help their pooch get better with the right medication. Ophthalmic eye ointment is often used as the treatment for these canine eye problems and must be properly applied to work effectively.

  1. Common Canine Eye Illnesses

    • Common canine eye ailments include keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye syndrome, which affects dogs when their tear ducts cannot produce adequate amounts of tears. Conjunctivitis, known in humans as pink eye, is an infection that affects the inner lining of the eyelid as well as the white of the eye. This ailment causes irritation, inadequate tear production and discharge from the eye. Epiphora is a condition that describes when a canine's eye continuously oozes fluid or weeps. This ailment is visible when the fur around the eye appears stained.

    Calming Your Dog

    • Choose a time when your dog is calm and resting to apply the eye ointment. Your canine will need to sit still during the application. You can try to bribe or bait your dog to sit nicely by giving them a treat and keeping additional snacks near you during the application process. If necessary, muzzle the dog so that it cannot bite at your hands while you apply the medication.

    Preparing the Eye Area

    • Clean the affected eye by swiping the area with a saline-saturated cotton ball. Wipe off any discharge or mucous from the eye. Read the instructions on the eye ointment as well as any written instructions your veterinarian may have given you.

    Applying the Ointment

    • Place your index and middle fingers around the upper and lower lids of the dog's eye. Carefully pull the lids down. Squeeze the ointment along each eyelid by holding the tube parallel to the lids. It is imperative that the tip of the ointment tube does not touch the eye; if it does, the medication is contaminated and must be replaced. Once the ointment is on the eye, let go of the dog's eyelids and allow the animal to blink. Finish the application by gently massaging the eye area to encourage the ointment to spread across the entire eye.