Mini Pincher eye problems

Question
I am at work - Franconia Police Department. We located a mini pincher who is lost. He appears to be in good health except both eyes are completely crusty all around each eye. His third eyelid is down on the right eye. Can I do anything safely to clean his eyes? What might this be?

Answer
Hi Rene,

Weepy or crusty eyes can be a sign of an eye infection. Left untreated, an infection can lead to blindness. It's for this reason that your first course of action should be to have the dog examined by a vet.

Conjunctivitis is the most common pet eye problem with the symptom of crusty /weepy eyes. It is is easily treated, but left untreated conjunctivitis can also lead to blindness. Before treatment can begin, it has to be determined if this is bacterial, viral, or allergic conjunctivitis as treatments can vary.

Weepy or crusty eyes can also be caused by allergies, infections or distemper. If a dog has dry eyes, which is caused by a lack of tear production, this could be keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Until the dog can be seen by a vet, flush the dog's eyes with lukewarm water and use a clean washcloth to wipe the area around the dog's eyes, cleaning away excess discharge and being sure to remove any dirt or foreign materials. Do not use a commercial eye wash (Sterile Buffered Saline) if the dog's eyes are inflamed or sore eye.

You can try using an over the counter eye solution made for dogs, such as Tomlyn Opticlear,  Eye Heal for Dogs & Cats by Petalive, or PetAlive Eye-Heal. But without a diagnosis you may just be wasting your time, and money.
A vet exam is really what the dog needs.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti