Helpful Tips & Guidelines – Patients will often need several eye and systemic medications administered multiple times daily. Here are some guidelines to help you make the best of your pet’s treatment regimen.

• Give solutions (drops) first, then ointments or lubricants. Wait at least 3-4 minutes between each medication.
Administering eye medication in this order prevents ointments from blocking the absorption of solutions. Lubricants such as Optixcare, GenTeal Gel and i-Drop Vet should be given last.

• Administering topical eye medications:
Needles to say that many pets are not very cooperative when it comes to receiving eye medications. We always advise that a small treat is given each time the pet receives eye medications. This frequently results in pets being much more cooperative when eye medications need to be applied.

Here are some useful tips for applying eye medications:
- Secure your pet
To keep your pet from backing away from you, it helps to have a wall behind him while you hold him still. Smaller pets can be elevated to a table or countertop for easier administration. Cats, small dogs, and birds can be wrapped in a towel with their heads peeking out to keep them calm and secure.

- Administering Eye Drops
If directed so, shake the eye solution before using it. Using one hand, gently elevate the nose up and retract the upper eyelid so the white tissue of the eye becomes visible using the other hand. Once when the white tissue around the eye is exposed,apply 1 drop of each medication or 1/4 inch strip of the ointment. Praise your pet and give the threat, which will re-enforce positive association between applying eye medications and the reward process.

• Always ask your doctor before changing or discontinuing prescribed eye medications.
Continue giving medications the morning of your follow-up appointments unless otherwise directed, and please bring all of your medications with you for appointments and surgeries.
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Prescription Refills – If you are getting low with medications, please contact us for a refill. We usually provide additional scripts for all medications so you can obtain these medications directly from the pharmacy. Your local veterinarian can also obtain a majority of medications for you.
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