• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

eye drop struggles

piggiemummy03x

piggiemummy03x

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 3, 2022
Messages
1,979
Reaction score
1,036
Points
805
Location
hampshire
has anyone got any advice or tips on giving a piggie eye drops please? i’m really struggling with my Della (shes also really hard to syringe medication to as well) who needs one drop every 2 hours.. as the drop comes out she either jolts her head or shuts her eye so it doesn’t actually go in her eye and drips down her face. its only me in in the day so can’t get anyone to help, i’m using multiple drops each time because the first 3/4 times i try i just can’t get it in, and when it finally does go in, i feel as though it wasn’t the whole drop😫
 
Don’t worry. About multiple drops main thing is she gets a dose
 
It is really difficult with one. Maybe get her eating a bit of lettuce to distract pop her on your lap and try and hold her in a decent position and then squeeze the bottle till you get some in
 
I had a boar who required daily eyedrops for several months leading up to eye removal surgery. He was blind and couldn't blink, so my tips may not count. After I got him out of the cage, I would set him on my lap, tilt his head a little and get the eye drops in. After doing it for so long, he eventually got used to it.
 
My Gundams on eye drops at the moment I have to give him lots of head scratches and fuss to distract him and help him relax. Then more head scratches afterwards to stop him shaking his head or rubbing up against things to get it out. It usually takes a couple of tries though especially with the runnier ones but don't worry. Make sure you're as relaxed as you can be when you go to do it it's amazing how far a little positivity and patience can go.
 
4boipigs said:
I had a boar who required daily eyedrops for several months leading up to eye removal surgery. He was blind and couldn't blink, so my tips may not count. After I got him out of the cage, I would set him on my lap, tilt his head a little and get the eye drops in. After doing it for so long, he eventually got used to it.
Click to expand...
okay thankyou! i place her on my lap but shes very squirmy and always tries to run up me lol, its hard to keep her still in one place.
 
Sweet Potato said:
My Gundams on eye drops at the moment I have to give him lots of head scratches and fuss to distract him and help him relax. Then more head scratches afterwards to stop him shaking his head or rubbing up against things to get it out. It usually takes a couple of tries though especially with the runnier ones but don't worry. Make sure you're as relaxed as you can be when you go to do it it's amazing how far a little positivity and patience can go.
Click to expand...
thankyou!
 
Drops are always more difficult to apply than gel, unfortunately; whenever possible (provided the vets have some), I ask for gel. But quite a bit is down to practice, like so much, as well as your piggy accepting that they cannot get away with it. Keep in mind that they pick up on your own insecurities.

Use our piggy whispering tips to assert your authority while you also assure your piggy that you still love them. Then try to pull down the lower lid gently and aim the drops into the gap; some drops will still spill, but you are more likely to get something into the eye. This is what vet nurses do.
Who is the Boss - Your Guinea Pig or You?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

The method is to distract your piggy with a plate of fresh grass on your kneed (if they are used to it) or their favourite veg or treat, while they sit on your thighs facing away from you. Wait until the are absorbed in stuffing themselves and then gently sneak the drops in, coming in low over the their head.

Good luck. Just persist.
 
Wiebke said:
Drops are always more difficult to apply than gel, unfortunately; whenever possible (provided the vets have some), I ask for gel. But quite a bit is down to practice, like so much, as well as your piggy accepting that they cannot get away with it. Keep in mind that they pick up on your own insecurities.

Use our piggy whispering tips to assert your authority while you also assure your piggy that you still love them. Then try to pull down the lower lid gently and aim the drops into the gap; some drops will still spill, but you are more likely to get something into the eye. This is what vet nurses do.
Who is the Boss - Your Guinea Pig or You?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

The method is to distract your piggy with a plate of fresh grass on your kneed (if they are used to it) or their favourite veg or treat, while they sit on your thighs facing away from you. Wait until the are absorbed in stuffing themselves and then gently sneak the drops in, coming in low over the their head.

Good luck. Just persist.
Click to expand...
thankyou so much for the tips!
 
I find it can be helpful if a piggy isn't thrilled with a required activity to make sure that I'm not only doing that activity when you do certain things. So in between doses, take them out and do similar things to when they do get the drops, but they just don't have to get drops; that way they don't already know what's coming as soon as you start drops routine.
 
Leela needs eye drops on and off... I usually put her on my lap facing out, use my left hand to hold her lids open, and then put the drop in with the other hand. Sometimes she blinks/squirms and I miss and have to do it again, but generally it works pretty well. I then give her a treat for being a good girl so it's not a totally negative experience.
 
When Micah needed eye drops he would shut his eye tight as the dropper approached.
My vet taught me to pull his lower lid down, very gently, and put the drop in.
I still ended up with as much over me as in his eye but it was enough to heal the problem.
Hope your piggy’s eye heals quickly
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top