Eye infection, photo & any advice on applying drops to a wriggling puppy?

[518dark-rose]

We woke up this morning to find that Scooby had an unusual ammount of "gunk" in his eye. I gave it a wipe with a lukewarm damp cloth (as usual in a morning) and kept an eye on him because I thought it was a little strange.

As the day progressed the eye gunk kept coming, we also thought that his eye looked a little swolen and so kept a really close eye on him and Ryan & I jumped on the internet to do some quick researching.

His eye started to kind of go cloudy and it also looked like it had a slight blue tinge to it, so we immediately rang the vets and jumped in the car.

The vets put some drops in his eye, and then something that made his whole eye look green, before turning the light off in the consultation room and looking into it with a bright light.

She said it definately wasn't an ulcer and then she spotted the tiniest scratch in his eye, which only showed up because of the colouring she put in.

He must have somehow scratched his eye and it's gotten infected. I've been worried sick all day, we have some eye drops to put in his eye twice a day and if it doesn't look better in a few days we have to take him back.

Please please send your pug village support to Scooby!

I came home from the vets and cried my eyes out! I know it could have been far worse than an eye infection, but still, he's my world and I can't bare to see him ill

He doesn't seem to be bothered by it, he's a little squinty but other than that he has been bouncing around as usual as if there was nothing wrong with him.

And if anyone has any tips on how to put the eyedrops in a little easier, I would really appreciate it. He really hates them and he wriggles around so much!

I was really scared that when I was squeezing them in he would jilt about and the tube would end up hitting his eye, so I rang the vet and she said I could put the drops on my (freshly washed) finger and then rub them in that way, but it takes a good three attempts at the minute because the drops end up anywhere but his face! We tried giving him a treat, giving him a toy to chew on to distract him, but he is far too clever and figures us out

This is a photo of how his eye looks, I thought it might be a help if anyone needs to spot a possible eye infection in the future. (Although I would always advise going to the vets).



He is snoring away on my knee at the minute, I don't think he realised how much he scared his mummy today! x

[CountryPug]

It's very difficult to put drops in a puppy's eye, I know that from experience lol....my Bella was the worst. What I do is put her in my lap all four paws facing forward so she can't get away, one arm holding her and the other holding the drops. Come from behind and squeeze the drop in quickly....may take more than one attempt at first. Then give a special food reward.

I don't know what kind of drops you have available over there, but I keep Genteal severe eye gel or the Genteal pm ointment on hand to practice with. Keeping the eyes lubed actually helps reduce irritation and I've had less problems since using them regularly. Ask your vet what kind of lube drops are safe to use and practice, practice, practice:)

Sending prayers that his eye heals nicely.

Edited to add....with puppies, I hold the bottle of drops up pretty high, not even close to the eye, you just have to be a good aim....good luck!!!

[Poochysforever]

So sorry about Scooby....praying that his eye heal quickly.
I use the same technique that CountryPug uses...works great!
Hugs to you and Scooby

[Russ]

Poor Scooby. I don't have any advice on putting in drops but I do hope he's feeling better soon and when he does his ma will post some more scooby snack pics. In the meantime feel better!

[snowsprite]

I put lubricating drops in my Tucker's eyes twice a day, just before he gets his epilepsy meds. Since I give his pill wrapped in a piece of velveeta cheese, I make a whole big deal of 'cheese' as a treat. ( I also give him a couple of bits of cheese afterwords for being so cute).
He fought the first few times I put the drops in, but after a few times, he puts up with it because mommy keeps telling him he gets CHEESE!! after. Sometimes he is more wiggly than others, and I hook my fingers underneath his jaw, and hold his collar. Sometimes I can use my thumb to hold his snout. Then I lift his eyelid with my right thumb (while holding the eye drop bottle in my right and, and drop it in. Sometimes I miss. Sometimes he moves or pulls away just as the drop falls, and I miss. Sometimes it takes three tries to get it in.
The first time I did it, I stood over him, with him between my feet, head forward. I held him with my legs, held his head with one hand, and dropped the eyedrops with the other.
But now, when I tell him it's time for CHEESE he gets excited, runs in circles and heads to the kitchen.

If he's stubborn, maybe try a sneak attack while he sleeps. He won't have time to get ready to resist you if he doesn't see you coming. :)

[shaynapug]

I also lubricate...as per the instructions of the specialist....for all pugs, it's a must!

When Isis had her bad ulcer.......I'd put the meds in...and follow up 5 minutes later with the lubrication.

Seeing his eye healing nicely!

[Julia&Toby]

hope he gets well soon! eye problems scare me to death, maybe it is vain of me but one of my biggest fears is that one of my pugs will lose an eye.

[Wally 'n' Leto]

Sending healing vibes to little Scooby!

[Snifter]

Using a finger is absolutely NOT the best method but sometimes it is the only way. If you do use your finger I have some suggestions:

Wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap (ideally antibacterial soap) and rinse well.

Do not dry your hands on a regular hand towel - use a clean piece of kitchen paper.

Make sure that the finger you are going to use to apply the cream does not touch anything until you have applied the cream. You may find it best to have the tube of eye cream already open before you wash your hands so that you are not faffing about trying to open it one-handed.

Make absolutely sure that the ointment tube does not touch your finger or anything as you squeeze the drop onto it.

If you're using that method it is worth trying to do it more than twice a day because you can't get as much cream directly onto the eye surface as you can if you drop it in, although do check with the vet if it is OK to give more often than twice a day. What cream/drops have you been given?

Trying to catch him whilst asleep like Snowsprite said is a good idea. If he will sleep on your lap you can have everything ready beside you and then watch TV or something and lull him to sleep. As he is snoozing I suggest you do a lot of stroking of his head and near his eyes so he won't be startled awake by a sudden touch to the head.

[Rosiepug]

Hope you're both feeling better today.

There's a sticky in the health section on how to care for eyes and the nose roll. You use the same holding method and come from behind, over head with the drops. Good luck, be brave, it is scary at first holding a bottle or tube over their eyes.