Senior pup with discharge from eye

[girlsnpurls]

My 15 year old lab mix is getting thick grey/whit discharge from her eye.  I don't see that she's in any pain or discomfort.  Would like to know if I should be concerned that it is bothering her and I don't know it.  Thanks for your help

[ginger899]

I think so, as long as it is sterile, and contains ONLY salt water solution, no peroxide, or other cleaning agents at all, and no other chemicals at all.
The home made one would be a heck of a lot cheaper though.  

[girlsnpurls]

Thank you so much!  I'll try the saline rinse.  Can I use saline they sell in the store for contac lens wearers?

[ginger899]

This could mean there is some infection of the eye, or irritation going on. However, with that the discharge would usually be yellow-ish or blood stained. But mucus could be formed in such large quantities if there was constant irritation going on, or even an allergy. Is it dusty where you live?

Examine your dog's eyes. If possible with a magnifying glass. Get someone to hold her head still while you do this. Does she have any eyelashes which grow inward, and could be causing any irritation?

You could try bathing your dog's eyes with a sterile saline solution, at the least it won't do her any harm. You could try that for a few days, and then if there is no improvement, take her to the vet. It might mean she needs antibiotic drops or cream.

To make a saline solution, add a tablespoon salt to about a half pint boiled water. Boil this in a carefully cleaned pan, or kettle, making sure there are no foreign bodies, grit, soap residues, kettle-plaque, or anything else in the water. Also make sure the dish or cup you put the solution in has also been rinsed out well with boiling water beforehand. Let the salt water mix cool, cover it while it cools. Use a cotton wool ball or pad. Use this only once, for each eye. Do not wipe both eyes with the same pad, and do not dip it back into the water.