How to put drops in a cat's eyes: basic rules

Indications for use

Eye drops for cats are used when the animal has:

injury to the eye and tissues directly adjacent to the eyeball;
inflammatory processes occurring on the mucous membrane and affecting the eye;
swelling of various natures.

Eye drops for cats

Important! Cat owners should remember that eye drops can be used only after visiting a veterinarian, examining the animal and prescribing a certain drug. This is due to the fact that each type of disease requires a specific version of drugs that have a narrow direction of action on the animal’s body.

So we can highlight veterinary eye drops for cats, which have the following effects:

antiseptic;
moisturizing;
increasing metabolic rate;
antihistamine;
medicinal;
preventive.

Healthy cat eyes

Antiviral and immunomodulatory

Antiviral drops can copy the symptoms of various infectious or bacterial viral diseases that have different etiologies or genesis.

Note! Drops that have an antiviral effect can be presented in the form of substances that have biological activity. This is a group of interferons or interferon inducers, as well as drugs created on their basis.

Antibacterial

The active substances included in antibacterial drops effectively fight various diseases that are caused by bacteria, for example, conjunctivitis, when a cat’s eyes begin to fester and yellow and brown crusts appear on them, and eyelash loss may also occur.

Antiseptic

Antiseptic drugs can relieve inflammation, which can be caused by bacterial infections.

Preparation and Precautions

Bars drops for cats against fleas and ticks: instructions

First of all, it is necessary to use only those drugs that are prescribed by a veterinarian after examining the animal. It is also important to strictly observe the dosage, frequency and duration of administration.

Additional Information! Before use, you should carefully study the instructions included in the packaging of the product.

The following preparatory measures should also be taken:

Before putting drops into the animal's eyes, it is necessary to remove all crusts or purulent discharge. To do this, you can use sterile cotton wool or cotton swabs;
If the discharge has dried to the edge of the eyelids, under no circumstances should you try to tear it off, as you can damage the surface of the skin. They should first be soaked with a cotton swab dipped in boiled water. After this manipulation, they will easily fall behind on their own;
You should make sure that the drug is at room temperature. If the medicine is stored in accordance with the instructions in the refrigerator, then before using it it is necessary to support it in your hand, thereby heating the liquid;
Since the active substance must enter directly into the eye sac, it is important to hold the animal correctly. It will be necessary to retract the lower eyelid in order to properly deposit the liquid substance.

How to clean a cat's eyes

Important ! After the eye drops have been instilled, it is necessary to support the animal in your arms. The fact is that after such a procedure the cat will begin to blink intensely. It is possible that she will begin to rub the affected areas with her paw, and this may worsen the situation. If the drug has spread over the mucous membrane, do not blot the residue; let the area of influence of the product increase. This is normal.

If the drug spreads intensively, then you should simply massage the eyelid, so the substances will begin to be absorbed more intensively, which will increase the clinical effect.

Washing

Washing should be done as often as possible to alleviate the animal's condition. Antiseptic solutions can be used to wash your pet's eyes:

Decoctions of herbs (chamomile, sage);
strong tea;
boric acid solution (1 teaspoon per 100 ml of water);
solution of potassium permanganate (slightly pink);
furatsilin solution.

The eyes are washed from the outer corner of the eye to the nose with a gauze swab, wetting it generously and changing it often. If crusts have formed on your eyes, you need to put a swab with solution on your eyelid and wait until the pus softens. After this, rinse your eyes as usual. It is not recommended to use cotton wool for tampons, because small fibers can cause eye irritation.

How to put a solution in your eyes

Drops on the withers for cats against fleas, ticks and worms

In order to comfortably administer eye drops for cats at home, you should position your pet correctly. You can do this in several ways:

If a person is alone and there is no one to help him, then you need to lightly press the cat to the floor. Cover your head with one hand, placing four fingers under your lower jaw. And with your thumb placed on the area of the upper eyelid, pull it up. With your other hand, add the required number of drops.

If there is someone to help, then you should put the cat on its back. In this case, one person will hold the animal’s paws. And the second, holding it by the muzzle, pulls the eyelid and drips drops. Only in this case is it convenient to pull back the eyelid with your index finger and place your thumb under the lower jaw.

How to put eye drops

The most popular eye drops for cats

Among all the drugs, there are those that have a fairly good effect and cure the disease in the shortest possible period of time.

Levomycetin

Ear mites in cats: drops, treatment, effective drugs

This drug has antibacterial properties. Levomycetin fights pathologies that arise due to exposure to bacteria. Sometimes the effect of it may be more pronounced than that of antibiotics containing streptomycin or penicillin.

Most often it is used for purulent, follicular or catarrhal conjunctivitis. It is known that drops for conjunctivitis for cats can be very different, including those used by humans, and also include such cat remedies as “Diamond Eyes” or “Iris”.

Barrier

The Barrier lasts about 2 months. It is used to get rid of various types of parasites that can carry a wide variety of viral or bacterial infections.

Note! This drug is for external use only. It is applied to the withers of the animal, while preventing the active substances of the drug from being licked and entering the digestive tract.

Drug Barrier

Drops Tsiprolet

The third veterinary drug belongs to the group of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents.

Used to treat ophthalmological diseases of domestic animals. It can also be used in the period after surgery to accelerate healing and restoration of organs and systems. Ciprolex is also placed behind the eyelid when it is necessary to provide a preventive effect and avoid the onset of the disease. This is relevant when the animal is in contact with other representatives of the species and there is a possibility of infection.

The drug is instilled only after removal of accumulated secretions on the mucous membrane. It is used intensively - instillation is carried out up to 4 times a day for 2 weeks.

But it is under no circumstances recommended to use it yourself. This is due to the fact that the dosage will depend on the severity of the disease in the animal. The more intense or advanced the disease, the more drops are applied to the conjunctiva. So, at the initial stage, one drop is applied per eye, while in case of severe manifestations or prolonged absence of treatment, up to 3 drops are applied at a time.

Additional Information! After the drops are poured into the animal's eye, increased tearing will occur. This is due to the fact that the active substances cause a burning sensation and hyperemia of the white area of the eyeball on the mucous membrane of the animal.

There are contraindications to the use of this drug. These include individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

Tobrex

This is an antibiotic. It is actually used to treat human diseases, so it is used quite rarely in cats. But if you need to quickly get rid of a complex problem, then Tobrex will provide a pronounced positive result in a short period of time. The best way to use it is:

with inflammation of the iris or edge of the eyelids;
when inflammation occurs on the cornea.

Lachrikan

Lacrican is used to cure blepharitis or purulent conjunctivitis in a cat, which is caused by bacteria. The active components of the drug have an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, enveloping and local anesthetic effect.

If we talk about the dangers of using this substance, it is worth noting that it belongs to the fourth class. And this indicates that it does not cause toxic poisoning of the body, as well as irritation in the area where it is applied. Does not increase sensitizing sensation. As a result, it can be recommended as eye drops for kittens.

Just like with all other drugs, before applying the drops under the eyelid, you should remove all the secretions that have accumulated in the eye area by this time. And only then instill the drug. Lacrican is applied 2 to 3 times a day. The duration of treatment usually ranges from 1 week to 10 days. If the drug has an effect, but does not completely cure the disease, then you need to take a break for 7 days. And then they repeat the same course, which causes a more lasting effect and relief from the remaining symptoms.

Leopard

The drug Bars belongs to the group of substances that have antibacterial effects and is used strictly locally. Among the main reasons for its introduction are the following:

purulent conjunctivitis in acute or chronic form;
eye injury, which in the long term may lead to the development of any disease associated with the development of bacteria or infections in the affected area. In this case, Bars is used as a prophylactic agent.

The principle of application includes the same steps as for other drugs:

treatment and removal of purulent discharge with a soaked cotton swab to cleanse the mucous membrane;
administration of the drug into the conjunctiva according to the established treatment regimen - these data are in the instructions for the drug. But, despite this, the frequency and number of instilled drops should be prescribed by a veterinarian, depending on how intense the infection is in the animal and how long the disease lasts.
for prophylactic purposes, the drug is used once a day; It is necessary to carry out instillation for 10-15 days - only in this way is a clinical effect achieved, and the animal is completely relieved of health problems and symptoms.

Drops Bars

The dosage of the drug Bars is 1 or 2 drops in each eye.

Important! This medicine has no side effects. This is what allows it to be used not only by adult animals, but also by small kittens.

The drug is stored at room temperature.

Note! The validity period is very short. A closed bottle lasts only 12 months. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to make sure that the expiration dates are within acceptable limits.

Once the bottle of Bars drops is opened, it must be used within 1 month. After this, the medicine loses its healing properties and is not suitable for further use.

Instillation procedure

So, the drops have heated up, and the unsuspecting cat has not yet hidden in the farthest corner. Act suddenly, quickly and accurately. Take the cat in your hands and quickly wrap it in a blanket so that only one head remains. Don't turn him over on his back, let him lie on his stomach. Place the prescribed dose of medication into your ear.
Hold the cat's head so that he does not immediately start actively shaking it, otherwise he will shake out the medicine and the procedure will have to be repeated. Using your thumb and forefinger, lightly massage the base of your ear for 1-2 minutes. After this, the cat can be allowed to shake its head. Wipe off the remaining medicine with a napkin, because after the procedure the cat will sit down to wash itself and lick the medicine. Not all medications need to go into the stomach. Apply drops to the other ear if needed.
If you have several animals in your home, it doesn’t matter, cats and/or dogs, consult your doctor to see if the same procedure needs to be done for all pets. Some diseases, such as ear mites, are contagious, and it is best to treat all four-legged animals immediately, even if other animals do not show signs of this disease.

The same instructions will come in handy if the drops are to be given to your ferret,

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and the care of companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. He has been working at the same animal clinic in his hometown for over 20 years.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Ear mites are microscopic arachnid insects that live on the skin or in the ear canals of cats. Ear mites can cause severely irritated and itchy ears. Infected cats may scratch their ears constantly by scratching. The most common complications are skin infections. If you notice these symptoms in your cat, use the steps below to rid your cat of ear mites.

What to consider when choosing

When choosing a particular drug, it is very important to take into account the general health of the animal and its age. Moreover, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the fact that the product is prescribed to the kitten. But also for indications for old cats. This is due to the fact that their immunity is weakened, so it may respond worse to the administration of a particular drug.

Only a professional veterinarian can decide on the appropriate remedy for each specific animal. Under no circumstances should you prescribe treatment yourself.

Animal care tips

When treating inflammatory eye diseases, animals are most often prescribed instillation - drip administration of solutions of medicinal agents. When instilling, it is necessary to correctly follow all the rules and recommendations of specialists on the administration of pharmaceuticals.

Only a veterinarian can prescribe medication correctly. A specialist should also monitor and adjust the dynamics of therapy. Uncontrolled or illiterate use of the drug can only worsen the situation. Medicines should not be expired.

Advice! The procedure should be carried out as naturally as possible, otherwise the animal will be scared and not allow the drops to be administered. The effectiveness of the manipulation will be much higher if the animal sits or lies in a calm state.

If the kitten cannot wash itself, then the owner should help it daily using boiled warm water or weak tea leaves.

Inflammation of the eyes is a common symptom in small kittens. A problem detected in time will help to avoid major health problems, and competent assistance will stop the development of the disease. The health of a pet primarily depends on its owner.

Is it possible to put human drops in a cat's eyes?

Among the human drops that are used in the treatment of various cat eye diseases, Tobrex or Levomecetin are used exclusively.

In all other cases, you can use those medications that the veterinarian prescribes, based on the feasibility of treatment.

Eye infections can be easily eliminated with modern eye drops for cats. There are several types: for adults, kittens and old animals. Before use, you should consult a veterinarian.