When our beloved cat has any eye disease The vet will recommend that we put one or two drops of eye drops or even an ophthalmic ointment in his eyes. But if giving him oral medication is already difficult, putting drops in his precious eyes can be an almost impossible task.
Even so, sometimes there's no other option than to be patient and "force" the cat to stay as still as possible so the bandages can be applied, otherwise it won't heal. The question is, How to put drops in a cat's eyes without causing fear nor that he ends up angry with us.
The important thing is that we remain calm, even considering natural relaxants for cats If necessary. If we're nervous, the cat will notice and become tense even before we do anything. Therefore, if necessary, we'll go to a room alone and take a few deep breaths, exhaling slowly until we've calmed down. Then, it will only be a matter of acting normally and follow a series of well-organized steps.
Why is it so important to put the drops in the cat's eyes correctly?
The eyes of felines are very special structures: they have a wide field of viewThey see much better than we do in low light and are adapted to hunt at dawn and dusk. This great visual capacity also makes them more vulnerable to blows, infections and diseases that can significantly affect your eyesight.
Among the most frequent problems is the feline conjunctivitisCorneal ulcers, viral or bacterial infections, allergies, irritation from foreign bodies, and some trauma are also common causes. symptoms of glaucoma in cats.
Some signs that may indicate your cat needs eye drops or ointment are:
- Abundant eye discharge or very sticky, sometimes greenish or yellowish in color.
- Crying eyeswith excessive tears falling down her face.
- swollen eyelids or reddened, which the cat tries to keep closed.
- Sensitivity to light, with eyes half closed and discomfort when opening them.
When a veterinarian recommends eye drops, it's because your cat truly needs them. Using them correctly not only reduces your cat's discomfort but also ensures the medication is effective and prevents complications. That's why learning how is key. the correct technique for applying dropsPrepare the environment and respect the doses and times indicated in the recipe.
Prior preparation: environment, eye drops and eye cleaning
Before calling the cat and starting to manipulate its eyes, it's a good idea to take a few minutes to get everything ready. This reduces handling time and makes the experience easier. less stressful for both.
First of all, it is essential Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.This way we avoid bringing dirt or germs to such a delicate area as the eyes. We should also read the instructions carefully. eye drop instructions or ointment: dosage, frequency, whether it needs to be kept in the refrigerator and how long it can be used after opening.
If the eye drops were in the refrigerator, it is recommended warm it up a little with your hands Before using it, open the jar so it's not so cold and uncomfortable. Do not touch the tip of the container, so that it remains cool. pollution-freeand leave it prepared on a table, near the area where we are going to place the cat.
In many cases, the veterinarian will advise doing a gentle eye cleansing with saline solution or with a specific eye wash product. When there is a lot of discharge, it is important to moisten them well, including around the eyelids, and then dry with a very soft cotton or gauzeIt's best to let the cat close its eyes during cleaning to avoid scratching the cornea, especially in animals with prominent eyes. After cleaning, it's best to wait a few minutes for the eye to regain its ability to absorb before applying the treatment eye drops.
How to position your cat and get it to stay calm
It is true: the feline is very intelligent and, by observing us, it can intuit what we are going to do, but this is something we have to downplay. Putting drops on it is nothing to write home aboutFurthermore, when a veterinarian recommends using them, it's because your cat truly needs them. So, for your cat's own good, open the eye drops and place them on a table near where you are. Call your cat over with a treat and give it to them as soon as they approach.
First of all, it is highly advisable to pamper him for a little whileWith gentle touches or even playful gestures, the experience won't be so unpleasant for him. You can take the opportunity to speak to him in a soft voice, stroke his head, and associate that moment with positive things. Then, after a couple of minutes, pick up the cat and place him on the table or in your lap, in a stable and comfortable spot.
For many cats, sitting on your lap with their back to your chest works very well, so that you can hold the body and front legsIf it is a very restless or uncooperative animal, it may be helpful to wrap it in a towel in the shape of a “burrito”leaving only its head outside. This way, we avoid scratches and the cat feels more secure.
One trick that some professionals recommend is to position ourselves slightly behind the catInstead of facing you directly. This position usually makes him feel less threatened and reduces the tendency to back away or dodge your hand. In any case, the key is to support his head. gently but firmly and slightly tilted upwardswithout squeezing the neck or causing pain.
Step by step: how to put drops in a cat's eyes
Once the cat is securely restrained and somewhat more relaxed, it's time to apply the medicationIt's normal to feel apprehension, but by following a clear method we reduce the risk of errors and do it faster.
First, we will hold the bottle of eye drops between the thumb and index finger of the dominant handWith the other hand, gently but firmly hold their head. Then, with one of the fingers of that hand (usually the little or index finger) We will slightly lift the upper eyelid. Or we will gently pull down the lower eyelid to form a small "pouch" where the drop will fall.
It is important to keep your eye open with the fingers of one hand, and with the other Apply the drops, holding the eye drops approximately 1 centimeter away from the eye.The tip of the bottle should never touch the eye or eyelashes to avoid injury or contamination of the product. Let the prescribed drop or drops fall into the eye without squeezing the bottle excessively.
If a few extra drops get in, with most eye drops it's usually not a big deal, as the eye itself will expel the excess as tears. However, with some specific medications (for example, certain drugs that dilate the pupil) it can be more serious, so it's always advisable to be cautious. respect the dose indicated by the veterinarianAfter application, we can gently close the cat's eyelid and make a a very gentle little massage over the closed eyelid, to help the medication spread over the entire surface of the eye.
When we're finished, we'll give him a few sweets as a reward And we'll let him go if he wants. Repeating this positive reinforcement will help the cat be more cooperative in the future.
Common mistakes, using multiple eye drops, and when to ask for help
In addition to the technique, it's important to consider some details that make the difference between an effective treatment and one that doesn't work as it should. One of the most common mistakes is Apply several drops of eye drops in succession without leaving any time in between.If the veterinarian has prescribed two different types of drops, never put them in one after the other: it is advisable to wait about 10 or 15 minutes between each one so that the eye can properly absorb the first medication.
Another common mistake is not close the jar immediately. After use, cover it as soon as you finish to prevent the eye drops from being exposed to contamination and air, which could alter their composition. If the product requires refrigeration, return it to the refrigerator as soon as you're finished.
Not all cats tolerate handling well, especially in such a sensitive area as their eyes. If, despite wrapping them in a towel, using treats, and acting calmly, the cat huffs, thrashes violently, or tries to scratchThe wisest course of action is not to force the issue. In such cases, it's best to contact your veterinarian, explain the problem, and ask for help: the clinic can teach you another technique, consider using a different form of medication, or even administer it there if absolutely necessary.
And that's it. By following these steps, with patience and positive reinforcement, applying eye drops becomes a simpler routine and your cat can... recover from their eye problems as soon as possible, keeping their eyes healthy and their vision in good condition.
