An Ointment Prescribed for a Growth on a Senior Dog's Eyelid

It's a good question to ask. Some ointments made for skin contain a steroid, an antibiotic and an antifungal. On the outside of the eyelid, vets sometimes use them to calm inflammation around a small growth, but they are not made to go in the eye itself.

Please call your vet and ask exactly where to apply it and whether an eye-safe ointment would be a better choice, since the ointment can easily spread onto the eye. Steroids should also not be used in an eye that has a scratch or ulcer, so the vet should check the cornea first.

Most eyelid growths in older dogs are benign, but an ointment won't make a true growth go away. If it keeps growing, rubs on the eye or bleeds, ask about removing it. Small ones are often removed easily.

See eye and eyelid tumors in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.