Any tips on how to get eye drops into a wriggly russian dwarf hamster?

[helenp]

Hi, basically Lola has been diagnosed with an eye infection and we have to give her eye drops. Has anyone got any tried and tested tips for putting them in?

Thanks

[Katty_Sheldon]

Well...i had to give eye drops to my old hamster, Sheldon. He was standing still, munching on something, and i would approach him from above and drop the drop on him... in time he learned that the approaching hand to the eye is no good, but i was able to hold him in place on my leg. They have some tip on wrapping the hamster up to keep him still, im sure someone will post it, as i am not an expert on this.

[helenp]

Thnak Katty will try the sneaking up technique next time she is due some.

[allie_freedie]

Yeah, maybe distract with a tasty treat then go in for the kill! lol

[helenp]

Will try that too thanks. Will have to keep my fingers as far out of the way as possible though as she is our bitiest one.

[suga]

You could pick him up and wrap him in a towel with just his head poking out. That way you will have a good grip on him and can then get the drops in the eye.

[SarahJ]

When i had to give my hamster anti-b's i did what Suga has said but i got my boyfriend to hold her while i gave her the meds. you could always try that as i found with someone else holding her it was a lot easlier.

[souffle]

Errm...there is a fully illustrated guide on the stickies on this forum
How to put Eye-Drops in your Hamster's Eyes

[helenp]

Fantastic, will have a look now Souffle thanks very much.

Thanks everyone else too will try with a towel when my partner gets home. Worst part wil be getting her out of her cage as she gets very territorial.

EDIT: we need to swaddle her in a hankie.

[SarahJ]

aw bless her, Have you tried getting her out of her cage by putting her ball in there and letting her climb in?
I used to do this with one of my hamsters who used to have cage rage.