Diclofenac (brand: Voltaren) is a prescription anti‑inflammatory eye drop for dogs. It’s an ophthalmic NSAID that helps reduce swelling and discomfort inside the eye.
Common reasons it’s prescribed include controlling inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), reducing pain and inflammation after eye surgery (for example, cataract surgery), and selected cases of corneal or allergic conjunctivitis–related inflammation when steroid drops aren’t appropriate. Rx‑only.
Mild stinging can occur. If the eye becomes more red, squinty, cloudy, or develops thick discharge, please call us the same day; after hours, use the nearest emergency clinic. Topical NSAID drops are generally avoided when a corneal ulcer is present because they can slow healing—your veterinarian can discuss what to expect and whether this is the right medicine for your dog.
Front desk script: “Diclofenac—also called Voltaren—is an anti‑inflammatory eye drop that helps calm eye inflammation and discomfort in dogs. We most often see it used for uveitis or after eye surgery, and it’s prescription‑only. Please use it exactly as your veterinarian directed. If your dog’s eye suddenly looks worse—more redness, squinting, cloudiness, or thick discharge—call us right away; after hours, go to the nearest emergency clinic. Your veterinarian can explain how long it’s needed and what to watch for.”
Common owner FAQs (front-desk talking points):
- Q: What is diclofenac eye drops used for? A: It’s a prescription anti‑inflammatory eye drop that helps reduce eye swelling and discomfort in dogs (often after eye procedures or with certain eye conditions). It is not an antibiotic and won’t treat infection by itself; your veterinarian will decide if it’s appropriate for your dog.
- Q: How do we put the drops in? A: Wash hands, gently hold the eyelids open, and place the prescribed drops into the eye without letting the tip touch the eye or fur. If using more than one eye medication, give drops before ointments and separate different products by about 5–10 minutes. Follow only your veterinarian’s label directions.
- Q: What side effects should we watch for? A: Mild, brief stinging, tearing, or eye redness can happen. If the eye becomes more red or cloudy, your dog squints or paws at the eye, there’s thick yellow/green discharge, or vision seems worse, contact us for a same‑day veterinary assessment. Do not add, stop, or substitute medications unless your veterinarian advises.
- Q: We have Voltaren gel at home—can we use that? A: No. Over‑the‑counter Voltaren gel is for skin and must never be used in the eye. Only use the prescription diclofenac ophthalmic solution provided for your dog and do not share between pets.
- Q: What if we miss a dose? A: Give it when you remember unless it’s close to the next scheduled time—then skip the missed dose. Do not double up. Your veterinarian can discuss what to do if multiple doses are missed.
Front desk script: Diclofenac is a prescription anti‑inflammatory eye drop for dogs. Use it exactly as labeled, don’t let the tip touch the eye, and if you have more than one eye medicine, give drops before ointments and space them by about 5–10 minutes. If the eye looks more red or cloudy, your dog is squinting, or there’s thick discharge, we’d like to see your pet today—eye problems can worsen quickly. Please don’t use human Voltaren gel or adjust any medications without our veterinarian’s guidance.
What owners usually report: brief stinging, blinking/squinting for a short time after the drop, mild tearing, and slight eye redness. These effects should be short‑lived and the eye should otherwise look comfortable. Owners may say the eye “waters a bit” or the dog “blinks a few times” right after the medication.
Call the clinic the same day if the dog keeps the eye partly or fully closed, seems painful, or if redness, swelling of the eyelids, or discharge gets worse instead of settling. Also call if you notice yellow/green discharge, sensitivity to light, a cloudy/blue or white film over the eye, bleeding inside the eye, or the eye looks worse than before treatment. Swollen face, hives, or trouble breathing are emergency signs. If a pet licked a large amount of drops or chewed the bottle, contact the clinic or a poison control resource for guidance. Your veterinarian can discuss whether these signs are from the medication versus the eye condition and advise next steps.
Important context: topical ophthalmic NSAIDs like diclofenac are used to control eye inflammation, but they should not be used if an eye has an active corneal ulcer; worsening pain/squinting or sudden cloudiness can signal a problem that needs prompt veterinary assessment.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling. Some brief stinging or tearing right after diclofenac drops can be normal, but the symptoms you’re describing sound like they need the veterinarian’s advice today. I’m alerting the doctor now; if you see facial swelling, trouble breathing, obvious bleeding in the eye, or your dog won’t open the eye, please head to the nearest emergency clinic. If a large amount was swallowed or the bottle was chewed, I can connect you with our veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline while I notify the doctor.
What it is and how to give: Diclofenac ophthalmic for dogs is a prescription sterile eye-drop solution. Wash hands, gently clean away discharge, and keep the dropper tip from touching the eye or any surface. If more than one eye medicine is prescribed, put in drops before any ointment and wait about 5–10 minutes between products. Store at room temperature, protected from light; do not freeze. Only use the bottle labeled for ophthalmic use—this is not an oral or skin product. Your veterinarian can discuss the exact order and timing with any other eye meds on the pet’s plan. [VCA and Cornell references.]
Troubleshooting giving the drops: Have everything ready, approach calmly, and steady your hand by resting it on the dog’s head. Pull the lower eyelid down to make a small “pouch,” place the drop, then let your dog blink; praise and offer a treat. Some dogs may briefly squint or the drops may sting a little; if irritation seems more than mild, contact the veterinarian. If the taste drains to the mouth, dogs may drool briefly—offering a small treat or water can help. Label caps to avoid mixing them between bottles. If your pet will not allow handling, ask the veterinarian about alternative strategies; in some cases, different formulations or compounded sterile ophthalmic options may be considered if appropriate. [ACVO, Cornell, and Wedgewood references.]
When to escalate: If the eye looks suddenly worse (marked redness, squinting, rubbing, light sensitivity, new green/yellow discharge, or a blue/cloudy appearance), or you think the bottle tip touched the eye, arrange a same-day call with the veterinarian. Rare allergic reactions (facial swelling, hives, trouble breathing) are emergencies—seek immediate veterinary care. Do not change, skip, or stop eye medications without veterinarian guidance. [VCA reference.]
Front desk script: These are prescription eye drops. Wash your hands, don’t let the tip touch the eye, and if you have multiple eye meds, put drops in before ointments and wait about 5–10 minutes between them. If your dog resists, try having a helper, make a small pouch by gently pulling the lower lid, place the drop, then praise and give a treat. If the eye suddenly looks more painful or cloudy, or there’s new discharge, I’ll get you a same-day call with our veterinarian. If you see facial swelling or any trouble breathing, please go to an emergency clinic right away.
Diclofenac ophthalmic (0.1% eye drops; brand example: Voltaren) is a prescription-only anti‑inflammatory used in dogs for eye inflammation. Refills must be approved by a veterinarian each time because topical ophthalmic NSAIDs can slow corneal healing and are not appropriate if a corneal ulcer is present or if concerning eye changes are developing. Many cases are short‑term (e.g., around eye procedures), so ongoing refills are not routine unless the veterinarian has an explicit long‑term plan. Your veterinarian can discuss whether a recheck exam is needed before any refill.
Refill workflow: collect the pet’s name/ID, medication name (diclofenac ophthalmic), bottle size/brand if known, which eye(s) it is used in, how often it is currently being used, how many days of drops remain, the prescribing doctor, date of last eye exam/recheck, other current eye medications (especially steroids), and any new eye signs. Route to the veterinarian for review; advise the caller that the typical turnaround is by the next business day for in‑clinic pickup or pharmacy authorization. For online or outside pharmacies, document the pharmacy name, phone/fax, and order number; prescriptions are transmitted after the veterinarian authorizes the refill and may take additional time for the pharmacy to process because this is a human‑labeled ophthalmic product.
Escalate immediately if the caller reports squinting, eye pain, marked redness, discharge, cloudy/blue appearance, or vision changes—these can indicate urgent eye disease. Arrange a same‑day exam or direct them to an emergency facility per clinic policy; the veterinarian will advise on medication use once the eye is examined.
Front desk script: “I can help with your dog’s diclofenac (Voltaren) eye‑drop refill. Because this is an ophthalmic anti‑inflammatory, our doctor reviews each refill and may require an eye recheck first. May I confirm the pet and medication details, which eye(s) it’s for, the current use, other eye drops, and any new eye changes? If your dog is squinting, the eye looks red, cloudy, or vision seems off, we need to schedule a same‑day exam or direct you to emergency care. Otherwise, we’ll send this to the veterinarian now and update you by the next business day; for online pharmacies, please share the pharmacy name and contact so we can transmit the prescription once approved.”
Stop triage and get a veterinarian or credentialed technician immediately if the eye becomes more painful or looks worse: the dog is squinting or keeping the eye shut, pawing/rubbing at it, the white of the eye is very red, the cornea turns cloudy/blue-white, there is thick yellow/green discharge, vision seems affected, or you see any bleeding in the eye. Topical ophthalmic NSAIDs like diclofenac can delay corneal healing and are a concern if a corneal ulcer or eye infection is present—any of these signs warrant same-day veterinary assessment or emergency referral.
Severe allergic reaction needs emergency care now: facial swelling, puffiness around the eyes, hives, rash, trouble breathing, or collapse. If the pet may have swallowed the drops or chewed the bottle, treat as a potential NSAID poisoning and escalate urgently; warning signs include vomiting (possibly with blood), black/tarry stools, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, or changes in urination or thirst. Poison control resources for ingestion: Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435). Your veterinarian can discuss risks and the medication plan once the pet is assessed.
Do not give dosing advice or tell the client to start/stop any medication. Keep the call brief once red flags are identified and immediately loop in medical staff or direct to the nearest veterinary ER, as appropriate.
Front desk script: Because this involves diclofenac eye drops and you’re seeing concerning eye changes, I’m getting our medical team right now. If the eye is held shut, looks cloudy or blue, has yellow/green discharge, or if there’s facial swelling or trouble breathing, this is an emergency—please head to the nearest emergency hospital while I alert our team. If your dog may have swallowed any of the drops or chewed the bottle, that can be serious; you can also contact Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435. Please bring the medication bottle; our veterinarian can discuss the next steps after examining your dog.
What to flag: If an owner mentions a current corneal ulcer or treatment for an ulcer (e.g., they say the eye was fluorescein-stained or the dog is on an antibiotic eye drop for an ulcer), alert the veterinarian the same day. Topical ophthalmic NSAIDs like diclofenac can slow corneal healing and are generally avoided with active ulcers; sudden worsening eye pain, a blue/white or cloudy eye, or marked squinting are urgent and should be escalated immediately to a veterinarian.
Commonly co‑prescribed eye meds to ask about: antibiotic eye drops (e.g., ofloxacin or “triple” antibiotic), atropine drops for pain, topical steroid eye drops (prednisolone acetate or dexamethasone), and tear‑stimulating meds (cyclosporine/tacrolimus). These are often used together under veterinary direction; advise owners to separate different eye drops by at least 5 minutes. If the owner reports steroid eye drops and there is any history of a corneal ulcer, flag to the veterinarian right away. Dogs with glaucoma or on glaucoma drops (e.g., dorzolamide/timolol) should also be flagged, as topical NSAIDs may raise eye pressure in some cases—defer to the veterinarian.
Interaction/risk reminders to capture: mention any oral NSAIDs the dog is taking (carprofen, meloxicam, deracoxib) or blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel)—the veterinarian can discuss bleeding or GI risk. Ask specifically about common human OTCs owners may give: ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), aspirin, and human redness‑relief/allergy eye drops (e.g., Visine) or Voltaren arthritis gel. Do not advise starting or stopping any medication; instead, notify the veterinarian. If a dog has ingested human NSAIDs or shows vomiting, black/tarry stool, or lethargy after NSAID exposure, this is an emergency and needs immediate veterinary attention.
Front desk script: Thanks for letting me know about the other medications. I’m going to note all current eye drops and any oral meds like pain relievers or blood thinners so our veterinarian can review them for safety with diclofenac. If there’s a known or suspected corneal ulcer, or if you’re seeing a suddenly very painful, cloudy, or blue‑looking eye, we want to see your dog right away—this can’t wait. Please avoid using human pain meds or redness‑relief eye drops unless our veterinarian has told you to do so. Our veterinarian will go over the safest plan and timing for all the eye medications.
Store diclofenac ophthalmic solution at controlled room temperature (about 59–77°F/15–25°C). Keep the bottle tightly closed, protected from light, and do not freeze. Keep in the original container and out of reach of children and pets. Your veterinarian can advise what to do if a bottle was left in a hot car, frozen, or otherwise stored outside these conditions.
After opening, mark the date on the label and plan to discard any remaining solution after 1 month to reduce contamination risk. Avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface (including the eye) and recap right away. If a child or pet swallows the drops, or if the treated eye becomes very red, painful, or vision seems cloudy, contact your veterinarian immediately; you can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for guidance.
For disposal, use a pharmacy or community drug take‑back program when possible. If no take‑back option is available, follow FDA guidance for safe at‑home disposal and do not flush unless specifically instructed by official guidance or the product labeling. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can discuss local take‑back options and how to dispose of ophthalmic liquids safely.
Scheduling: Diclofenac eye drops are used to control eye inflammation. The doctor will set the recheck plan for the specific eye problem. Expect a recheck to look at comfort, the cornea’s surface, and often eye pressure (IOP). For lens‑induced uveitis or dogs with diabetic cataracts, ophthalmology sources recommend an early recheck in about 3–5 days to confirm response and safe eye pressure, and when cataracts are present without active uveitis, monitoring every 3–4 months is common; follow the veterinarian’s exact plan for the patient. Your veterinarian can discuss the timing that fits the diagnosis and surgery status.
Bloodwork: There are no standard routine lab tests tied specifically to diclofenac eye drops. Systemic absorption can occur, so if the dog has other illnesses or is also receiving oral NSAIDs or steroids, the veterinarian may request lab work; defer to the doctor for any testing needs.
When to escalate: Same day contact is needed if the dog is squinting or won’t open the eye, has worsening redness, green/yellow discharge, a blue/white haze, is pawing at the eye, or seems to lose vision. Topical NSAIDs can slow corneal healing and are typically avoided when an infected corneal ulcer is present—if the eye looks suddenly worse or an ulcer is suspected, book an urgent exam and alert the doctor. Do not advise starting, stopping, or changing any medications; your veterinarian will provide guidance.
Front desk script: I’ll schedule the recheck the doctor recommends to check the eye surface and eye pressure. For some eye conditions, the doctor may want an early recheck in a few days; stable cataract cases may be checked every few months—your veterinarian will set the exact timing. If you see squinting, the eye won’t open, redness or discharge worsens, or the eye looks cloudy or vision seems off, please contact us the same day so we can arrange an urgent exam. We’ll follow the doctor’s plan and let them advise on any medication changes.
Diclofenac ophthalmic is a prescription nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory (NSAID) eye drop used in dogs to reduce eye inflammation and discomfort as directed by the veterinarian. Human Voltaren products (especially the skin gel) are not the same as veterinary eye drops and should not be assumed interchangeable; any questions about what is safe for a dog’s eye must be answered by the veterinarian. It is commonly used under veterinary guidance for postoperative inflammation or certain eye conditions; dosing, frequency, and duration are medical decisions handled by the medical team, not front desk staff.
Triage: same‑day evaluation is recommended if a caller reports worsening redness, squinting, pawing at the eye, cloudiness/blue haze, new discharge, sensitivity to light, swelling around the eye/face, or any vision change while using or asking about diclofenac. Escalate immediately to emergency care if there is severe pain, sudden vision loss, bleeding in the eye, chemical exposure, or eye trauma. Phrases to avoid: “It’s fine to use human Voltaren,” “Start/stop the drops,” giving dosing instructions, or naming a diagnosis (e.g., “pink eye”). Instead use deferrals such as, “Our veterinarian can discuss whether diclofenac is appropriate and how to use it safely.”
Front desk script: Thank you for calling [Hospital Name], this is [Your Name]. Diclofenac is a prescription eye drop for dogs; human Voltaren products, including the skin gel, are different, and our veterinarian can advise you on the safest option for your dog’s eye. Let me connect you with a technician or the doctor to review your pet’s chart and next steps, or I can get you a same‑day appointment. If your dog is having severe squinting, a blue or cloudy eye, bleeding, or sudden vision changes, please go to the nearest emergency hospital right away.