Eye Drops

Can somebody please offer me some techniques for getting eye drops into 25 pound Swanie who does NOT want drops in his eyes.  I can't get him up on a table or anything because he hurt his back last Saturday and isn't supposed to jump and I sure can't lift him up on something without fear of hurting him worse.  So I get on the floor and stuff him between my knees. Meanwhile he is throwing a hissy fit and every time I get his head in a good position and go to put the drop in, he jerks his head away.  I'm so frustrated, he needs to have those drops but I'm not even sure how much of anything is actually making it into his eye.

I had to put eyedrops in my cats eyes for a week and i would wait until he slept. Just put the drop right on the opening of the eyelids and gently pull open the eye.

Yeah, he wakes up pretty quick when he sees me coming with that bottle. I'm watching videos on YouTube. Amazing how they never show a cat who doesn't want the drops. Always these 6 pound balls of fluff who just sit there docile. 

I haven't done it with a 25lb cat, my cat needed eye drops when she was a little itty bitty 5lb kitten.

My method was the towel burrito method, it keeps the claws tucked away. Drop the towel on the unsuspecting cat, then grab it, tuck the towel around them, making sure all four paws are contained, fold towel down around cat's head, and tuck the folded bit of towel down against your body tight enough that they cant slip a paw through, but loose enough that they can breathe. With a cat that size, probably on the floor between your knees would be the best method, I just held the kitten like a baby though. Hold the head with one hand, palm on top of the head, thumb and finger opening the eye, eyedrops in with the other, hold for a few seconds, and then let go of the towel and retreat to a safe distance as the cat rips out of the towel and runs away to hide.

Also don't use a new towel, use one you don't mind the cat scratching.

I have discovered a good way to do it is to get him backed into someplace he can't get out of, station DH in front of him to kind of watch and then get over by the side. At least it worked the last time I tried it, who knows about tonight. He has an even bigger fit when I try the towel method. saying tuck it in over him and that is great in theory, but not too likely with this boy.  If the method I mentioned doesn't work, I am going to try just a towel draped over his front claws so he can't scratch me up any more than he already has.  Will also see if they have any ideas at the shelter tomorrow when I go do my shift. One of the ladies who does shift with me was a vet tech.