Tips on administering eye drops needed! LATEST UPDATE>>>

[Mel]

Tell me about it. He's an angel to everyone but enjoys nothing more than 'attacking' me with growls and biting and trying to do some harm to those nasty hands which hold him in place for the drops.

He's on them for life though, so 99% of the time he's ok with them, it's that 1% where he protests which is painful

Yet as you rightly say, anything at the vets and it's "Please help me. I'll be good. She hates me and hasn't fed me in 14 yrs, even though I'm only Oneth".

[poppy]

Oh Sue, I'm sooo sorry to hear about your bad luck and the misfortune of Clover having this eye problem.  Hopefully it is not permanent, but if it is, I hope that you manage to give Clover her eye drops as easy as can be.

Looking forward to hearing some good news.

Love Lizzie and Betsy

[Lily Freya]

So, so sorry to read about little Clover.  It is awful, I know from experience with Freya.   

They do eventually get used to having the drops in,  honestly.   Freya actually comes running into the kitchen now when I shout her and say 'drops Freya'...................don't know whether the additional throw in of 'then your bickie' helps a bit. 

[Snoo]

Well, the vet was supposed to ring me today and she hasn't so I presume she hasn't managed to speak to the specilaist yet - or has forgotten. I still have some drops left so will continue with those for another day or two and if no call from the vet, will have to chase her up. Clover runs to her special place to have her eyes done, now, when I say the cue word, but I think perhaps I made the mistake of giving a treat before and after - should only have done the after one! She still wriggles like a snake so this last time I put her on my lap instead of on the floor and it was a bit easier - though I did cause her to yelp once so must have held her too tightly.   

Thanks for your continuing kind comments and advice - will post more when I know more! 

[lindseyp]

sounds like progress for little Clover - bless her 
hope you hear back from the vets soon but if not, like you say - chase them up 

[Deb H]

Jasper has developed dry eye (along with everything else) recently and I have to say routine and a treat work really well for us. Hubby now just has to say Jasper eyes and he sits front and centre and lifts his head up has his drops in (6 times a day) and gets a piece of chicken . If you can get a routine going and your pupster realises something tasty is at they end of it fingers crossed things should get easier.

[Snoo]

UPDATE!
The vet rang - she spoke to a specialist and the outcome is this: they think there are two problems with Clover's eyes - infection and dry eye.  They want to attack the problem vigorously and I now have to do drops 13 times a day - Fucithalmic 3 x daily, Optimmune 2 x daily, and Viscotears 6 - 8 times daily. On top of that she also has to have Nisamox antibiotic tablets, one twice daily. I have to take her back next Wednesday for a re-check. The breeder wants me to get a second opinion or referral - I would like to do that too, but it is very difficult when the vet who has diagnosed the problem is also one I have to work with occasionally! If anyone can come up with a nice way of telling her that's what I want to do without upsetting her or looking like I don't trust her diagnosis I would appreciate it! She is pretty feisty so it is going to have to be real tactful!!! 

Clover is being very good about having the drops done now - I say the words 'do Clover's eyes' and scoop her up onto my lap with her back to me like mcc suggested, she often lies down at this stage, actually! then I let her sniff the quarters of Good Boy choc drops I have prepared earlier! Then she allows me to do both eyes, and then she gets her treats. With the pills, I just open her mouth and poke them down her throat followed by something tasty to nibble on - corned beef today - tiny amount. Am worried the antibiotics may give her the runs so don't want to add to the problem with too many, or too rich, treats. I had a cat once who got an upset tummy just having eye drops - I think he must have wiped his eyes with a paw, then licked it, and so ingested some of the drops. Not good! So fingers crossed that Clover doesn't get any nasty side effects, and that the treatment will work and perhaps the problem will right itself. I just remembered that the vet did say that the condition may not be life-long if treated at this early stage.

[lindseyp]

sorry the news wasn't better for little Clover (& you!) 
The breeder wanting a referral could be your reason for asking for one off your vet ....you shouldn't really need a reason but understand why it could make you uncomfortable.
A referral is the best next move for Clover because although she's having treatment, which could well stabilise or improve her condition, having the incorrect/unsuitable treatment could actually make her eyes worse long term. Purdey has Maxitrol eye drops but needs regular check ups as they must not be used if there is any signs of ulcers in the eye.
Glad to hear the little sweetheart isn't too stressed by having them done now    ....she'll be a grand master soon  & will keep paws crossed the meds don't upset her tummy 
Purdeys condition is probably allergy related but has improved greatly since a change in diet - perhaps in the future this is something that may help Clover too   
thinking of you both - please keep us updated with how you get on
Lindsey x

[BobnDot]

Great that Clover's calmed down when getting her eye drops, they really seem to know that you're just trying to help them don't they?

A lot of tact and diplomacy may well be needed when dealing with your vet but I'm sure that she'll realise that you want no more than the best possible outcome for Clover. By speaking to a specialist she's already accepted that she needed a second opinion and it would be reasonable now to suggest that the specialist examines Clover just to confirm their joint diagnosis and to advise, after examination, on her continued treatment.

Milly sends her love and she'll be heading for her op in a fortnight. (Would have been this week but the specialist is off sick at the moment).

Please keep us up to date on Clover's progress and I'll let everyone know how Milly gets on in a couple of weeks.

Big hugs to Clover.               

[seaangler]

Are peggy also comes running to have her eye drops in...

A tip i use was to mention the word (Chocolate drop time as to eye drops)(doggy ones only) and peggy has associated it as a nice treat and will sit up for her eye drops to be put in and the reward afterwords...Simples...

[Jonnydog]

Good to know wee Clover's getting used to her eye drops - bless her  Hope that the outcome with the specialist is positive. Keeping paws crossed.

[Snoo]

Thank you all for your suggestions and tips.

@Lindseyp, I think that might be a good way of suggestiong a referral to the specialist (can't spell opthalmwhatsit! )and I see your point about making absolutely sure that the treatment is right for her. Really interested about Purdey's prob being to do with allergies - I have had two cats which developed allergies since we moved here to the country - one is diagnosed as being allergic to tree and plant pollens amongs several other things. I wonder if, since Clover was born and bred in a built up area, the change to country air may have some bearing on the problem?! An interesting thought! What food does Purdey have now, out of interest? (Have I asked you this before???  Sorry if I am repeating myself - my brain is frazzled lately!)

@Deb H, so sorry to hear that Jasper also has this problem now - you are right about the routine part - I am actually having to give 13 lots of drops a day so have made a list of them all in alternating order and mark down the times I give them, trying to spread them throughout the day. It is just as well I don't work except on the occasional Saturday at the vets, and that I am not one for going out and about shopping or visiting or whatever!  And yes, it is amazing what they will do for food!!!

@BobnDot, I think it's more the fact that she gets choc drops after her eye drops rather than the fact that she senses I am trying to help her!  But seriously, I do think her eyes must feel more comfy after the drops as the whites tend to look pink and I am sure the eyes must feel sore and gritty. Aw, so sorry to hear that you have to wait before Milly can get her op done  - what exactly are they going to be doing to her eyes?  Yes, keep us updated on her progress afterwards - will be thinking of you and Milly. (Love her name - my niece's dog is called Milly too!)

@seaangler, yes, I do believe they eventually come to think of it as a treat to have their eyes done!!! Clover is 99.9% better than she was with having the drops put in! Phew!!!

@Johnnydog, thank you for your kind thoughts! 

[Goggins]

  oh no poor Clover...what a good girl she is though re the eye drops...

  Please pass on a big hug to Clover from Freya and me and of course one for you too!!

When my boxer had poss heart prob (not known in the "lines") the breeder went mad and wanted a second opinion asap. I felt awful asking my vet but they accepted that it was for the breeders interest only and they agreed to refer on. Def use the "breeder wants" words and Im sure the vet will accept this...good luck xx

[Snoo]

Aw thanks for that, Goggins - and very sorry to hear about your boxer doggy. My sister has had three boxers and still has a soft spot for them although she says she is too old now to have another of her own. She also enjoys being 'aunty' to my three cats and Clover-pup!   

[lindseyp]

Thank you all for your suggestions and tips.

@Lindseyp, I think that might be a good way of suggestiong a referral to the specialist (can't spell opthalmwhatsit! )and I see your point about making absolutely sure that the treatment is right for her. Really interested about Purdey's prob being to do with allergies - I have had two cats which developed allergies since we moved here to the country - one is diagnosed as being allergic to tree and plant pollens amongs several other things. I wonder if, since Clover was born and bred in a built up area, the change to country air may have some bearing on the problem?! An interesting thought! What food does Purdey have now, out of interest? (Have I asked you this before???  Sorry if I am repeating myself - my brain is frazzled lately!)

Tis OK Sue, you're not going doolally just yet, you haven't asked me before 

For the past 2 1/2 years Purdey (& my other two) have been on a BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or as some might say Bones And Raw Food?) & it is during this time that I & my vet have seen a remarkable change in Purdey & her health. Our typical annual insurance claim would usually be averaging £400+ but last year it was under £100 (& I think the year before too  ) & this year I'm not even putting in a claim, as it would barely exceed the excess    It hasn't been a total cure for all her symptoms but it certainly has been a vast improvement in her health & I believe, her quality of life too 
Not sure where you are in Dorset Sue but our supplier is based at West Moors (there are other COLers that use them too  ) & they have recently opened a much larger production facility inc. small shop in Upton Poole. As well as providing everything you need for a good diet for your dog they also stock holistic & alternative remedies from Dorwest & Phytopet. They take the hastle, confusion & yuckyness  out of, what can be a complex & messy form of feeding. They make it simple for me & nutritionally balanced for the girls & they love it 
The food supplier is http://nurturingbynature.co.uk/   (sorry but I notice their website is under improvement  ) If you wish to contact them at all, ask for Nettie Platt who's business it is & is most knowledgeable & extremely helpful about all things dog (& other animals) 
http://www.dorwest.com/
http://trade.phytopet.co.uk/home.aspx

Hope this is some help for you - let me know if I can be of any further help 
Lindsey