One Health

 View Only

  • 1.  Eye Lubrication Products in HVHQSN

    Posted 04-30-2026 10:03 AM

    Hello!

    I am wondering what other shelters/clinics/rescues use when prepping patients for surgery for lubricating eyes that is economical or can be bought in bulk? We currently purchase individual small tubes of sterile ophthalmic lubricant and it's a bigger cost in our sx department. I saw somewhere of people using corn oil? Do any of you make your own? 

    Thanks in advance!

    Rachel Beduhn

    Northwoods Humane Society- MN



    ------------------------------
    Rachel Beduhn
    Shelter Manager
    Northwoods Humane Society
    MN
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Eye Lubrication Products in HVHQSN

    Posted 04-30-2026 10:05 AM

    @Rachel Beduhn for our Feral Fixin events (where we TNR 150 cats on a Saturday) we use corn oil. We have done this since 2005 and have never had any issues. 
    We learned from @Julie Levy and Operation Catnip. 



    ------------------------------
    T' Fisher, Director of Operations
    Center for Pet Family Well-Being
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Eye Lubrication Products in HVHQSN

    Posted 05-04-2026 08:39 AM

    Hi Rachel,

    We also use corn oil -dispensed in small (I think 4oz) clear plastic squeeze bottles.  We then stick a label on and tape over that. Corn oil works amazingly well, and is easy to dispense from the squeeze bottles. Our patients have their eyes lubed during prep and recovery. And every station can have a bottle or two handy, very easy to find, doesn't get lost in blankets like a tiny tube. Corn oil might sound messy, but that's never been an issue. I find it to be very soothing and somehow never greasy.

    Audrey

    Homeward Bound Pets Spay and Neuter Clinic



    ------------------------------
    Audrey Summers
    Volunteer
    Homeward Bound
    OR
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Eye Lubrication Products in HVHQSN

    Posted 05-04-2026 05:31 PM

    Corn oil is fine, of course. If you prefer a product labeled for ophthalmic use, we use Refresh lubricating eye drops. We buy bulk, multi-dose bottles at Costco for reasonable price. I work in a HQHVSN setting with owned and shelter-owned dogs, cats, and rabbits, as well as TNR. The bottles last ~1-2 weeks each...which is about as long as I'm comfortable keeping them around that they haven't become contaminated. Also preferable to an ointment as you are less likely to inadvertently touch the eye with the applicator. Just another alternative,



    ------------------------------
    Rachel Powell DVM
    ASV Board of Directors
    Director of Surgery
    Greenhill Humane Society
    Eugene, OR
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Eye Lubrication Products in HVHQSN

    Posted 23 days ago

    For surgical prep, most clinics I've worked with tend to stick to sterile, veterinary-approved ophthalmic lubricants rather than switching to non-sterile alternatives like corn oil. Even though bulk purchasing can feel expensive upfront, it usually ends up being safer and more consistent for preventing corneal drying during anesthesia. Some shelters do reduce costs by ordering larger multi-use containers or working through veterinary supply distributors for better pricing, but they still keep it within sterile ophthalmic products rather than homemade mixes. I've also seen similar practical discussions pop up in places like Planet Urine reviews, where people in animal care settings share cost-saving approaches and product experiences, especially around routine surgical prep supplies.



    ------------------------------
    Tyrone Pierce
    Veterinarian
    Maryland Hospital
    MD
    ------------------------------



Related Content