Yes, it is OK to use Neosporin on your dog with veterinarian approval, but we do not recommend using it on cats.
Neosporin is a brand of triple-antibiotic ointment. It contains bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B sulfate. Bacitracin ointment is also available, and it does not include the other two antibiotics.
“Do not use any over-the-counter eye drops for your cat, unless it's artificial tears,” Jones says. “Anything medicated can have a negative effect.” Holt adds that eye drops for dogs should also be avoided. “Some pet owners think that dogs' eyes are similar to cats' eyes, but that is really not the case.
Hold the tube close to the eye, but make sure you do not touch the eye's surface with the ointment applicator. Squeeze the prescribed amount of ointment directly onto the eyeball, and then release your cat's head.
Some OTC ointments, like Neosporin and Polysporin, are only meant to be used on your skin. Don't use them in your eyes. They're not the same as the prescription ointments with the same name that are meant for eye infections.
No. Vaseline is petroleum jelly and should never be put in eyes.
Common anti-bacterial medications for cats include:
- Enrofloxacin (Baytril) - respiratory, skin, and urinary tract infections.
- Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (Clavamox) - wounds, respiratory infections, skin infections.
- Metronidazole (Flagyl) - gastrointestinal upsets, periodontal disease.
Hydrogen peroxide is often used to induce vomiting in dogs, but is never safe to give to cats. Cats are sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and can develop irritation and bleeding of their stomach, which has been fatal to some cats.
Triple Antibiotic is a great ointment. You can use it on your pets. It's safe. It's a great way to clean and protect the wound.
Chloramphenicol is a potent broad spectrum, bacteriostatic antibiotic that can be used to treat acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children aged 2 years and over. It's available over the counter (OTC) as chloramphenicol 0.5% w/v eye drops and 1% w/v ointment.
While using Neosporin to treat a minor injury to your dog may be fine at times, there are several products that are designed specifically for canines and completely safe, even if ingested.
"Make a saline solution using 1/4 cup warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Dip a gauze pad or clean cloth in the solution, and wipe the eye area starting from the snout (corner of eye) outward (toward the ear).
Treatment for eye problems sometimes requires eyedrops or ointments, both easier to administer with a few quick tips:
- Have the eyedrops or ointment close at hand, then clean away any discharge around your dog's eyes with warm water and a cotton ball.
- For eyedrops, tilt your dog's head back a little.
When to Use Neosporin2? Triple-antibiotic ointments are commonly used on minor cuts and abrasions to prevent infection and encourage healing.
Top Antibiotics for DogsGentamicin—Gentamicin is prescribed to treat dogs with eye infections, ear infections, and pneumonia. This medicine also is prescribed with an anti-inflammatory drug to help reduce redness and swelling.
Eye Discharge CausesA few common reasons for cat eye discharge include: Feline upper respiratory infections. A frequent cause of eye discharge in cats, these can include viruses such as feline calicivirus, a contagious respiratory disease, pneumonitis or rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), bacteria, and protozoa.
Some eye problems can go away on their own, but because many eye conditions are indicative of something more serious—like diseases that can lead to blindness or worse—diagnosis is crucial.
If you think your child has an eye infection, take them to a doctor instead of trying these home remedies.
- Salt water. Salt water, or saline, is one of the most effective home remedies for eye infections.
- Tea bags.
- Warm compress.
- Cold compress.
- Wash linens.
- Discard makeup.
Most bacterial and viral infections will resolve within five to fourteen days. In cases that are not improving or where are other pets at risk of infection, further testing will be performed to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Do Not use anything in your pet's eye that you wouldn't put in your own eye and NEVER use a salt water solution in or near the eye!
A kitty's anal glands are filled with a stinky fluid that your little one usually expresses when she uses the litter box, but also when she's startled, according to the Manhattan Cat Specialists. This smelly discharge can sometimes wind up on her fur, making her smell a bit foul.
Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment is available over-the-counter, except in California where it requires a prescription. Terramycin is available as a sterile eye ointment. The sterile ointment is usually applied as a thin film to the inside of the eyelid 2 to 4 times a day.
Gently wipe away eye discharge using cotton soaked with warm water. For eyes that are swollen, gently separate the eyelids and pour saline solution (the same solution you use on your own eyes) between the lids. It is important you do not squirt the saline solution to rinse out foreign material from the eye.
Also, medication for humans, including eye drops, are generally not the same for dogs. You should never treat your dog with human medication without consulting a pet care specialist first. Using the wrong eye drops could cause significant pain, damage, and blindness.
DO NOT use soaps, shampoos, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, herbal preparations, tea tree oil, or any other product to clean an open wound, unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian. Some of these products are toxic if taken internally, while others can actually delay healing.
