How to apply medicated eye gel

Putting eye medication in their eyes, especially eye gel/ointment, can be a bit stressful. Here are some tips:

   ● Make sure you've washed your hands before you do.

   ● Place a small amount, about the size of a small pea, onto your fingertip (don't use the medication tubing).

   ● With your non-dominant hand, pull their lower eyelid down a little.

   ● Then, using the finger with the medication on it, "scrape" (or slide) it from your fingertip onto the inside area of the lower eyelid.

   ● Now let the eyelid go and let the kitty blink it into place.

   ● Make sure to wash your hands again before touching any other cat/kitten or your own face (safety first, right?)

WHY EYE GEL AND NOT SOLUTION:

Eye gel/ointment is generally a favorite among vets because once you place it in their eye/s, their blinking will cause it to coat the entire orb, which means it should be applied only twice a day. Eye drops are watery and will need to be applied 4 to 6 times a day, depending on the reason it's needed. 

The fewer applications mean less possibility of causing further eye damage or emotional trauma on the kitty, but not all eye medications are made into a gel/ointment. Sometimes, the medication is available in both, but the vet may be limited to what's immediately in stock.

A COUPLE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

Know that watching the eye progression is important. If the eye appears to be drying out or shrinking when it shouldn't, or a tiny bubble forms, stop the medication and call your vet straight away. This means that the medication was the wrong choice for the issue. A newly formed dot or bubble indicates an ulceration has started. A shrinking eye indicates there's more to the issue than originally thought. 

Sometimes, doc and vets get things wrong, which is why the profession is called "practicing medication." (Trust me, they know much more than I ever will.)

With any medication, it's always wise to watch the kitty just in case they have a not-so-great reaction. Most kitties will be fine, but as people are, each kitty is unique and special in his or her way.