Hi, I am hoping someone out there can offer me some advice as I am at my wits end. I have a female Leonberger puppy nearly 1 year old and 8 year old Border Collie with an eye infection. Been to vet and got ointment for them both. Collie sits patiently while I apply ointment with no problem but Leo is a nightmare. She won't sit still and I can't hold her and put the ointment in at the same time. I've tried treats etc and even a kong filled with her favorite treats to keep her occupied but as soon as she sees the tube then she starts struggling. Last night hubby and son tried to hold her while I put ointment in but she was too strong for them and I didn't get any in.

I don't want this to become a big issue and frighten her for life.

Has anyone got any tips on how to do this.

Once it's cleared up I thought about using a cicker and breaking down the whole process into little stages but at the moment I need to get the stuff into her eyes.

Help!  

Probably best not to let her see the tube. You could try washing your hands and in another room put some ointment on your finger, approach her normally and stroke her and just gently smear it along her eye-lid.
Do her before the colllie, so she is not alerted to her impending treatment!

Best wishes

Not an easy one..hard to 'battle' with a large breed.
It is best not to put on your fingers to administer, as no matter how much you wash your hands, they would not be sterile. I would agree with trying her first before your other dog.
Have you tried sitting her infront of your legs, facing away from you, then lift the head skywards to administer the ointment.
Maybe when she is really relaxed, say just about to wake or whilst your watching TV or the like....when she is least expecing it...but this would mean you would have to have the tube with you of course...

I agree with you about hands not being sterile- however, sometimes needs must! OP could always wash her hands with Hibiscrub.

Best wishes.

My rott doesn't like being 'tampered with' either so I now ask for liquid rather than ointment as it is easier for me to get some of it actually in his eyes rather than smeared across his head.

Back her into a corner and get asdride with her neck inbetween your legs facing forward  this should keep her head still and your hands free, then pull the eye lid down and squeeze..

Thanks for all of your replies. Backing her into a corner makes it a little bit easier.  Been back to vet this morning and £533 later (which is another story, not sure if I am being ripped off by my vet) wants me to continue with ointment for another week.

The good news though, came back from vets and after only a couple of minutes struggle she let me put ointment in good as gold. Lets hope that this continues LOL

My flatti was a nightmare to treat for eye infections which she had more than once. I was given liquid and the vets advice was give the dg a squirt whenever you walk past her that way at least some of it went in. Not conventional but it worked

Do you have a halti I found that helps some dogs have fear of the unknown until you have done it a few times and they realize it not going to hurt.