Advice on administering topical ointments

WhiteGC8WhiteGC8
edited September 2008 in General
Despite having an Elizabethan collar from getting neutered, Yoshi has managed to get an abrasion on the side of his snout sometime last week. I noticed the area pink on Sunday (thinking perhaps he got stung), and then a full blown wound by Monday.

I waited a few days to see if it would heal on its own, and Thursday, I started putting Neosporin. Friday, we went to the vet.

The vet said I did the right thing and gave him a steroid shot to help ease the itching and prescribed some antibiotics. Surprisingly, Yoshi has taken very well to the treatments. It looked better after I started administering the Neosporin, and today, it looked even better.

But now, he's figured out my little trick to cleaning and treating the wound - about 5 mins. of petting, slowly working my way to his head, massaging around his cheeks with my palms and then applying the Neosporin in gentle swipes with my thumb brushing up against his snout.

I've tried using a cotton swab but that didn't work. Perhaps I did it too soon after failing with my usual method. I also had my brother distract him with some treats, but the second he saw my hand, he jumped up for the treat and ran. We were out foxed :p.

Any suggestions on how we could get this done?

Here's a pic of Yoshi and his poor schnoz :(. His new nick name - SCARFACE

Comments

  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Wow, is his eye always that color? I don't recall seeing a Shiba that had brown eyes before.

    Poor guy, his nose looks pretty painful. :-( I don't have any good advice for you. If it comes to the point where you have to force it, make sure you are gentle and he gets treats after you are done. You can try wrapping a leash around his muzzle so he can't open his mouth and then applying the ointment. Its not something I would normally recommend doing, but if you need to give him medication and he won't allow you to then a make-shift muzzle like that is probably your best bet.
  • MommyofNikoMommyofNiko
    edited November -1
    Awwww...poor thing! Look at the curled lip.

    Dave-What color eyes are you used to? Niko's eyes look just like Yoshi.
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    So are Jazz's
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Apparently I'm on crack. Both Lucy and Joey have dark black eyes (I can never tell what direction they are focusing).
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Admittance is the first step
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited September 2008
    I am sorry about your little guys nose.

    Motos are brown too. Mikos are black.
  • sujewelsujewel
    edited November -1
    Do you have a treat that he can munch on and lick while you're treating him? You would definitely need help, so have your brother hang onto the treat while Yoshi is munching and your administering the meds. Good luck.
  • WhiteGC8WhiteGC8
    edited November -1
    Since my brother has never put the ointment on, he was able to use the trick I used, so he's okay for now :p. The vet suggested a makeshift muzzle as well. I tried and he sure didn't like it. Not wanting to destroy any trust, I gave that up. The wound is healing up quite nicely though I'm sure he'll always have a noticeable scar.
  • MommyofNikoMommyofNiko
    edited November -1
    I agree that there will be a scar. Niko got her nose caught in a crate at the groomers (and they thought it was no big deal, never been back). Her nose turned into gonzo and she got 2 tiny scars on her nose. At least no one can try and tell me she is theirs!
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    it gives him character.
    when we had to administer ointment on a wound my dog got from a fight (complete with stitches) we'd give him a 1/2 spoon full of Peanut Butter. That took long enough to clean, apply and re-bandage.

    Good luck with Yoshi

    (our shibas has deep dark brown eyes, too)
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    I use a command for Beebe "Droppies." I know it's silly, but whenever I had to work on her (eye drops, pills, nails, ears, teeth, ointments) I tell her that and she gets the medicine/treatment, then immediately gets the treat that she can see on the counter or on the floor in front of her. She is such a Pavlovian dog now, that whenever I say "Droppies" she runs to her little spot and starts drooling before I even start to work on her. Also, it helps for someone to hold them the first few times or use a grooming table so the dog can't have a flight reaction. But however you can get the meds in/on and get the dog to associate it with something pleasent, the easier it is in the long run and eventually there won't be any struggle because the dog will get something out of the deal (shibas like to make deals).
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