One eye closed

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phil
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:01 pm

One eye closed

Post by phil »

My cat seems to have an eye infection. She keeps her left eye closed all the time. I took her to the vet and he gave me some triple antibiotic ointment. I have been having trouble getting in her eye. The cat just won't cooperate. I called the vet back and he said "even if I get a speck in her eye it would be ok". I haven't been able to do that. Is there anything that I can water down the ointment with? I was thinking that maybe olive oil or canola oil would work but I am no doctor. If I could make it liquid I could drop it in her eye with a syringe. Any thoughts?

Phil
kehorner
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Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:57 pm
Location: East Lansing, MI

Re: One eye closed

Post by kehorner »

The best technique I found was to put the line of ointment on my (clean!) finger, and then nail the eye with that. It was easier than trying to squeeze the tube and try not to stab the cat in the eye. One of my favorite poses is kneeling on the floor with the cat between my knees so they can't back up. You might also have some luck with rolling the cat up (paws and all) tightly in a towel. Some cats just don't like it one bit, though. I definitely feel your frustration. Best of luck!
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Ash
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Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:09 am
Location: Asia

Re: One eye closed

Post by Ash »

kehorner gave some excellent advice. If you try the ointment-on-finger technique make your you wash your hands before, and rinse soap off thouroughly. Juts smear some ointment on her closed eye - some will find its way between the eye lids.

Cats rarely cooperate when it comes to eye treament (or ear, mouth, paw, or wherever). Be gentle but firm.

Please don't experiment with oils as you can't be sure if they would help or cause more harm.

If possible get another person to help you. Good luck!
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Traci
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Re: One eye closed

Post by Traci »

Do not add anything to her medication, no water, NO oils, nothing.

Hold her between your knees as described above, with her backwards toward you, with your left arm and hand, hold her neck up slightly and gently...with your right hand, have the ointment on your (clean) finger, and gently smear the ointment in the outer corner of her eye, preferrably in the lower eyelid. You do NOT want to place ointment directly on the eye or cornea.
..........Traci
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