Dacryocystitis in cats and dogs is inflammation of the lacrimal sac. Veterinary services: ophthalmology. Rinsing the lacrimal canal and lacrimal ducts for dogs and cats List of inflammatory eye diseases in cats

Eye diseases in cats are as common as in other animals and even in humans. Pets get sick just like their owners. And if the content is not at the proper level, then health problems only increase. It would seem like a simple draft, just to quickly ventilate the room. And then bam! The cat has tears, a runny nose, she is sneezing and snorting. Stop! Let's figure out what eye diseases exist in cats, how to identify their symptoms and treat your pet correctly.

• Inflammatory
• Non-inflammatory

Inflammatory eye diseases in cats include conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, iritis, inflammation of the nasolacrimal duct (yes, we must not forget that eye diseases in cats also include problems with the duct, orbit and other tissues surrounding the eye), blepharitis, panophthalmitis and others .

Non-inflammatory ones include bruises (and other injuries), a foreign body in the eye, entropion of the eyelid, prolapse of the eyeball, cataracts, glaucoma and others.

The course can be subacute, acute, chronic. And the symptoms of eye disease in cats do not disappear over time, but only fade a little. But this only increases the risk that the animal’s vision will decline or other health problems will appear (especially if the cause of the cat’s eye disease is an infection).

Eye diseases in cats are primary and secondary. Primary is when the changes that have occurred in the eyes are the underlying disease. Secondary is when problems with the “mirrors of the soul” have already appeared due to a more serious health problem (for example, an infectious disease), then we can safely say that conjunctivitis is one of the symptoms. And in order to cure a pet, it is necessary to fight not the clinical sign, but the disease itself. In any case, you cannot do without consulting a veterinarian.

Now let’s briefly go over the main eye diseases in cats.

Types, symptoms and treatment

Below is a classification of eye diseases in cats, symptoms characteristic of each disease, as well as an approximate treatment regimen.

Conjunctivitis

- perhaps the most common eye disease.

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyelids is called conjunctivitis. There are many types of it:

• Catarrhal;
• Purulent;
• Ulcerative;
• Follicular.

There are many reasons for this inflammation. The most common ones are a foreign body getting into the eye (grains of sand or hair, for example), vitamin deficiency, injuries, infections. In babies (especially kittens), inflammation from the nasal cavity (a seemingly harmless runny nose) quickly spreads to the eyes. Therefore, not only rhinitis is recorded in them, but also inflammation of the nasolacrimal duct and purulent conjunctivitis.

When an animal has conjunctivitis, the mucous membrane of the eyelids turns red, swells, and tears flow. Pus may also appear (but not immediately; first, catarrhal conjunctivitis, which, depending on the cause of its appearance, gradually or extremely quickly “turns” into purulent).

The first step is to determine what caused this inflammation? If it is a foreign body, then you just need to rinse the eye and, to prevent complications, apply tetracycline eye ointment to the lower eyelid a couple of times a day (eye ointment is always 1%!). You can purchase it either at a veterinary pharmacy or at a human pharmacy. This is not a scarce medicine at all and costs a penny. It is best if you always have it in your first aid kit.

Just don’t apply it to your finger and then to your eye. This creates an even greater risk that you will get an infection (your hands are not sterile, no matter how much you wash them with laundry soap at home). And you don’t need to touch the “nose” of the tube to the lower eyelid, so as not to introduce pathogenic microorganisms into the tube of ointment.

So, the next time you apply it (even if not for tomorrow), you will introduce pathogens directly to the inflamed area. And instead of treating conjunctivitis in a cat or dog, it will become over-infected.

However, you should not self-medicate as soon as you see tears in your cat or whitish crusts in the inner corner of the eyes. Firstly, this way you can only “drown out” the symptom, while the underlying disease will rage with all its might. Secondly, you may not guess with the dosage or even the drug, which will lead to the transition of catarrhal acute inflammation of the eyelid mucosa into a chronic, but purulent or follicular one. Clinical signs of conjunctivitis in a cat or dog will subside, but will not disappear. And this will certainly affect visual acuity. Symptoms of purulent conjunctivitis, in addition to yellow crusts in the morning after sleep or obvious yellow (or even greenish) discharge, are an increase in body temperature. This is understandable.

Any purulent inflammation, even of the smallest localization, indicates the presence of infection!

And the clinical sign of such a pathology will be an increase in temperature. But whether it will increase only in the affected area of ​​the body or in the entire body immediately depends on the state of your pet’s immunity. the weaker it is, the higher the temperature.

Now about follicular conjunctivitis. Everything is much more complicated here. A simple tetracycline ointment or intramuscular antibiotics is not enough. The fact is that near the third eyelid (and it is located in the inner corner, this normally pink “skin”) the lymph nodes become inflamed. they enlarge, swell, and prevent the animal from blinking. It cannot be done without surgical intervention by a veterinarian. After the operation, the doctor will prescribe ointments and injections.

Keratitis

We’ve sorted out the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyelids, but what is the name for damage to the cornea in cats? Keratitis. It doesn't matter whether it was caused by injury or infection. It would seem, how can one examine some kind of pathology on a transparent cornea, especially if the pet blinks or does not even want to open its eyes because it hurts? But some symptoms will still help you recognize keratitis in a cat.

This is lacrimation. With keratitis, tears flow constantly and in large quantities from the affected eye. It’s as if the body is trying to “wash out” the lesion. The mustache will try to keep this eye closed, and if it is very bright in the room (or on the street), it will close its eyes completely. This is called photophobia.

Agree, it’s very difficult not to notice this. You can determine whether an infectious disease is the root cause of keratitis yourself. If pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses) are to blame, then both eyes almost always immediately suffer. With fungi it is more complicated; they do not immediately move to the second organ of vision. However, in any case, you need to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.

Without treatment, in almost 100% of cases, conjunctivitis is added to keratitis (since there are plenty of microorganisms in the air) and the pet already has another disease - keratoconjunctivitis.

That is, in addition to lacrimation and photophobia, clinical signs characteristic of inflammation of the eyelid mucosa also appear. Pus begins to come out very quickly.

If the cause of keratitis in a cat was not a wound (a scratch on the cornea can also appear from a foreign body under the eyelid, after a fight), then the transparent membrane of the eye ceases to shine, becomes cloudy, and discharge (often purulent) accumulates in the corner of the eye.

Third eyelid

The nictitating membrane in cats is a unique protective “device” provided by nature. If you are planning to treat a cat’s eye disease – prolapse of the third eyelid, then first find out about the functions of this amazing feature. With the help of the nictitating membrane, the eyes are always protected from various damage and contact with the cornea. The so-called third eyelid can be seen with the naked eye. This white film in cats is a thin layer of light skin located near the inner corner of the eye.

The membrane (inner eyelid) helps maintain the health of the mucous surface of the eyes. In addition to cats, some other mammals and birds are endowed with a similar protective organ.

Eye disease in cats - third eyelid: loss is manifested by the following signs:

• uncontrollable spasms of the orbicularis oculi muscle (twitching and closing of the eyelids);
• increased lacrimation and redness around the eye;
• purulent or mucous discharge;
• massive formation in the corners of the eyes.

This pathology is similar to adenoma. It is very important to distinguish between these eye diseases in cats, the treatment of which, if misdiagnosed, can provoke the development of a dangerous disease - keratoconjunctivitis, from which the pet cannot be completely cured.

If the white film does not disappear, it’s time to contact the veterinarian. A timely detected symptom and immediate treatment will help save your pet’s vision, save it from developing any disease, and maybe even protect it from death.

In a situation where the third eyelid is visible only in one eye, it is recommended to check the cat for the presence of pathologies such as:

• getting a foreign object under the nictitating membrane;
• traumatic injuries to the white membrane, cornea, cartilage or facial nerve;
• symblepharon;
• bacterial inflammation of the membrane.

It should be taken into account that membrane prolapse can occur in both eyes. The reasons for such a violation may be:

• bilateral conjunctivitis;
• fusion of part of the third eyelid with the eyeball;
• helminthiasis

Remember that a treatment regimen for cats’ eyes can only be selected and prescribed by a specialist with a veterinary education. Under no circumstances should you prescribe medications yourself, much less use eye drops and ointments intended for people. The only thing you can do at home is to wash your eyes with warm boiled water or chamomile decoction.

Sometimes a fallen membrane will repair itself within a few hours. If this does not happen, you will have to resort to surgery.

Blepharitis

Simply called inflammation of the eyelid. Blepharitis is also classified into “simple”, ulcerative, scaly, and meibomian. If you don’t notice in time that the eyelid is red, swollen, and prevents the cat from opening its eyes, then you may not have time to start treatment in time.

Without a competent treatment regimen, “simple” blepharitis can easily and quickly turn into ulcerative blepharitis. First, a purulent plaque forms along the line of growth of the cilia, and under the plaque (more precisely, when it begins to fall off), ulcers begin to appear. It’s much more difficult to fight him.

The pet tries to scratch the eye, which can lead to injury, since clawed paws can easily injure the cornea or the same inflamed eyelid. As the purulent plaque and sores spread, blepharitis in a cat leads to loss of eyelashes. There is a high risk that the disease will “spread” to the conjunctiva, to the eye itself, which will lead to the development of a completely different disease - panophthalmitis. And here you will have to act very quickly if you do not want your pet to be left without an eye.

Panophthalmitis

It is registered extremely rarely, but similar cases are still observed. A very serious disease, since it is characterized by damage to all tissues of the eye. The symptoms of panophthalmitis are the same in cats and dogs. First, the affected eyeball noticeably increases in size, and purulent discharge appears (panophthalmitis always occurs due to infection, hence the pus).

Unfortunately, the animal will not be able to save its eye. To prevent the infection from spreading to the brain, the diseased organ of vision is completely removed and the eyelids are sutured. To prevent this from happening, do not give up on your pet’s excessive tearing (even if this is a predisposition of the breed), and do not spit on the crusts of pus in the corners of the eyes or on the fur under them.

As soon as something alerts you, or you notice a symptom, immediately contact your veterinarian-ophthalmologist. There is no need to rinse with decoctions, drip antibiotics, or smear everything. This will only “muffle” the clinical signs, making it difficult to make a final diagnosis. And this will affect the development of a treatment regimen. Without it, your pet's recovery is impossible.

Cataract

When the lens becomes cloudy. It is more often registered in older pets, however, it can also develop in young kittens if the cause is an infection. The main symptom you may notice is blurred vision. The animal bumps into objects, walks carefully, slowly, and is poorly oriented in space, especially in new terrain.

Having established the cause of the disease, the veterinarian-ophthalmologist will prescribe medication. Only if it does not help will surgery be prescribed. Self-medication is extremely dangerous. First, the animal may lose vision in that eye completely. Secondly, if the cause was an infection, then panophthalmitis, which was described above, may develop.

Inflammation of the nasolacrimal ducts

Another common eye disease in cats and kittens. It occurs due to the fact that the tubules that “connect the eye and nose” (to explain as simply as possible) become clogged. Many people had no idea about the presence of such tubules. But if you remember a crying person, you probably noticed that it was flowing not only from the eyes, but also from the nose.

The symptom is excessive lacrimation. It can be mistaken for a sign of keratitis or conjunctivitis because of this, but no ointment will help. The only way to help an animal is by probing. Yes, it is very painful, but after the procedure the cat immediately feels better. Literally without leaving the veterinarian's office, your pet will feel relief.

More antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent the development of infection. But usually after a week they are canceled, and the cat is re-examined. And if everything is fine, then the mustache is considered recovered.

Wounds of the eyelids

They can be superficial (when there is only a scratch), deep (when several layers of skin are damaged) and through (the eyelid is completely damaged). Cats injure their eyelids much more often than dogs, especially fighters.

If the wound is superficial, then it will need to be washed and treated with an antiseptic (at least with iodine, but only if the wound is outside the eyelid!). if it is deep or through, then only to the veterinarian. It will be necessary to thoroughly treat it, remove all foreign particles from the wound cavity, and also apply sutures. If the wound is through, then you need to make sure that the cornea is not injured.

Turn of the century

Most often, the lower eyelid is rolled up. At the same time, its edge bends inward (towards the cornea), this is not just uncomfortable. This is very painful. Don't forget about the hard cilia that rub against the conjunctiva and cornea. As a result, chronic keratoconjunctivitis can easily develop due to volvulus (volvulus is less common in cats). Only surgical intervention will help, since this is often a congenital pathology. The operation is not very complicated, but effective. The volvulus is eliminated once and for all.

There are three types of glaucoma in cats: congenital, open-angle and closed-angle. With this disease, the animal's intraocular pressure increases. A symptom of glaucoma that the owner may notice is a greatly dilated pupil. The vessels cannot withstand the pressure, so they burst. And areas of hemorrhage are visible both on the conjunctiva and on the eye itself. The apple increases in size and becomes very hard (the pressure inside goes off scale).

With open-angle glaucoma, areas of cloudiness are noticeable on the cornea, it is practically insensitive, that is, the reflex weakens. With angle-closure glaucoma, a ring-shaped closed opacification of the cornea is noticeable on the cat’s cornea, as well as a strong branching of burst or dilated blood vessels.

High intraocular pressure in a cat affects not only visual acuity, but also overall well-being. This is very painful, and you cannot do it without the help of a veterinarian (ideally an ophthalmologist). The veterinarian will determine the cause. In some cases, drugs that dilate the pupil help. But if the cause of glaucoma in a cat or dog is associated with lens luxation, then surgical intervention is necessary.

This is only a small part of eye diseases in cats. There are so many types of injuries, burns, inflammatory processes. It’s impossible to talk about everything at once in one article.

Still have questions? You can ask them to our site's in-house veterinarian in the comment box below, who will respond to them as soon as possible.

In the area of ​​the outer corner of the eye, the lacrimal gland is located above, which performs the function of producing tears. This watery fluid enters the nasal cavity through the nasolacrimal ducts. When the performance of these structures is impaired, the eye either begins to be over-hydrated or insufficiently hydrated. The pathological condition can be congenital or acquired, developing after the occurrence of infections, foreign bodies, or eye injuries. Obstruction of the nasolacrimal ducts and lacrimal sac leads to an inflammatory process - dacryocystitis. If we compare cats and dogs, it is less common in the former.

Causes of dacryocystitis in animals

Manifestations of the disease

In other situations, there may not be any discharge, although when pressure is applied, discharge from the lacrimal sac is noted. This indicates the penetration of the contents of the sac through the nasolacrimal canal into the nasal cavity. If the points and canal are obstructed, the entire secretion remains in the lacrimal sac, which leads to its enlargement. Against this background, its wall becomes thinner, lyses, and a fistula is formed. On examination, there is pain at the site of the lesion, tearing, and an increase in temperature. Pus secreted into the conjunctival sac through the lacrimal openings sticks together the edges of the eyelids and eyelashes, forming crusts. Some of the purulent contents are released into the nasal cavity. Purulent inflammation of the lacrimal sac is dangerous because the pathological process spreads to the conjunctiva and cornea, causing keratitis and a number of other dangerous complications.

Diagnosis and treatment

If a small amount of exudate is released during the disease process, conservative treatment remains a priority. It is aimed at restoring the impaired patency of the paths and prompt removal of the contents. For this purpose, rinsing is done through the nasal openings using astringents and disinfectants. At the same time, the bag should be washed through the lacrimal openings. To effectively perform the procedure, solutions of silver nitrate, furatsilin, protargol, boric acid, zinc sulfate, penicillin along with novocaine are used.

If conservative tactics do not help, then they resort to excision of the lacrimal sac, after which the wound heals. There is a danger of obstruction of the outflow tract over time due to the appearance of a postoperative scar, because the wound after excision heals by secondary intention. This operation is not radical, although after a short time the production of tears is reduced. To completely stop lacrimation, removal of the lacrimal gland is required.

Surgery on the lacrimal sac is performed under local anesthesia. The veterinarian makes a skin incision down to the internal ligament directly along the convex component inward from the horseshoe angle of the eye slit. The wall of the sac is then grabbed with tweezers and carefully bluntly removed from nearby tissues. The manipulation is easier if infiltration anesthesia is applied around the circumference of the bag in advance using 0.5% novocaine. The remaining junction points and lacrimal canaliculi are carefully cut off with scissors. All that remains is to apply stitches.

The lacrimal gland is removed while the animal is securely fixed under local anesthesia. Extirpation of the lacrimal gland occurs sequentially by cutting the skin up to 6 cm long in the area of ​​the outer half of the upper-inferior edge of the orbit, fascia, penetration between the aponeurosis of the levator eyelid from above and the edge of the orbit. The wound expands, the edge of the gland is grabbed with wide tweezers and prepared by lightly pulling away from the surrounding orbital tissue. The resulting wound cavity is powdered with Zhitnyuk powder, filled with gauze and the edges of the wound are connected with provisional sutures, several of which are removed on the 2nd day to remove the gauze. Subsequently, treatment occurs using the open method.

Prevention

Treatment in our clinic

We will conduct a comprehensive examination of your pet’s eyes and prescribe optimal, modern and high-quality treatment.

In this article we want to talk about the most common eye diseases among cats: cataracts, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, follicular conjunctivitis, catarrhal conjunctivitis. A number of these diseases can be caused by either exogenous or endogenous factors. We will also tell you how to treat eyes in cats.

A disease like nasolacrimal duct obstruction in cats characterized by the formation of adhesions or plugs in the nasolacrimal duct.

Symptoms: profuse lacrimation and brown coloring of the fur around the eyes (due to the breakdown of epinephrine, which is contained in the pet’s tears).

Causes of the disease:

• traffic jams;
• formation of adhesions;
• atresia of the nasolacrimal puncta (or, as it is also called, the absence of nasolacrimal puncta).

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out as follows: the animal is given fluorescein, which colors the tear green-yellow. It allows the cat's owner to trace the path of its outflow. If the animal is healthy, then after one to three minutes a colored tear will appear in the nasal passages, as well as in the oral cavity.

Treatment of eyes in cats with nasolacrimal duct obstruction consists in the use of a procedure - bougienage of the nasolacrimal ducts. The meaning of the procedure: soft or hard bougies and hollow catheters are inserted, through which an irrigation solution is supplied, eroding or loosening the plugs. After the procedure, a re-diagnosis of the presence of adhesions in the nasolacrimal ducts of the animal is carried out.

Follicular conjunctivitis is an inflamed process in the lymphatic follicles of the 3rd century.

Causes of the disease: contamination of external bacterial flora, decreased resistance of the immune system, chronic inflammatory process, etc.

Symptoms: redness of the conjunctiva, discharge of serous-mucosal or serous-purulent exudate from the conjunctival cavity, as well as blepharospasm (or spasm of the eyelids).

Diagnostics: examination of a cat with a similar disease shows the presence of an inflammatory process in the lymphatic follicles on the inner surface of the 3rd eyelid, at first glance, resembling a bunch of grapes or a rash. When blinking, the animal's cornea is injured due to inflamed follicles. This causes discomfort for the cat and increases inflammation.

Treatment of eyes in cats with follicular conjunctivitis consists of performing an operation called curettage of the follicle of the 3rd century. The purpose of the operation is to scrape out inflamed follicles from the outer and inner surfaces of the 3rd eyelid, as well as the inner surfaces of the upper and lower eyelids. Next, postoperative treatment is carried out with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory substances.

Catarrhal conjunctivitis popularly known as simply conjunctivitis. This disease involves inflammation of the conjunctiva (that is, the mucous membrane of the eye).

Symptoms: severe redness or swelling of the conjunctiva, itching, spasm of the eyelids, swelling in the limbus, profuse lacrimation, serous or serous-mucosal discharge, in severe cases of the disease - chemosis of the conjunctiva (that is, swelling).

Causes: mechanical injuries, chemical exposure, exposure to high or low temperatures, infectious disease, exposure to microflora, as well as an allergic reaction or the presence of a foreign body in the eye.

Depending on the cause of the disease, cat eye treatment. If a foreign body is detected, it is removed and the cornea is washed. After these actions, as well as for other causes of conjunctivitis, drug treatment is used, most often antibacterial agents are used.

A common disease in cats is cataract. It consists of a violation of the transparency of the capsule or substance of the lens (in this case, the pupil becomes whitish in color) of the eye, which is accompanied by loss of visual acuity or complete blindness.

Treatment of a cat's eyes in the early stages of cataracts: drug treatment that is aimed at slowing down the clouding of the lens of the eye. At the last stage or when inhibitory treatment does not help, surgical intervention is used - phacoemulsification. This cataract extraction method involves crushing the lens substance with ultrasound, followed by its removal and implantation of a new artificial lens. The postoperative period requires drug rehabilitation.

In order for eye treatment in a cat to have a successful outcome, it is necessary to consult a specialist in a timely manner, since any eye disease is much easier to treat in the early stages.

In order for eye treatment in cats to be effective, it is necessary to correctly diagnose the disease and eliminate its causes. This can be done by an experienced veterinary practitioner.

The most common eye diseases in cats are:

1.Epiphora

Otherwise, excessive lacrimation. It is observed when the nasolacrimal ducts cannot cope with the produced tears. The last phenomenon is the development of the body’s defense against inflammatory processes (for example, from keratitis or conjunctivitis), or to external irritants, which include foreign bodies. It occurs as a result of damage to the cornea of ​​the eye, blockage of the tear ducts, or serves as a symptom of infectious diseases. Disturbance in the functioning of the nasolacrimal ducts occurs due to inversion of the eyelids, narrowing of the lacrimal openings, inflammation of the lacrimal sac, the appearance of adhesions or septations in the lacrimal canaliculi, sometimes the lacrimal openings are absent from birth. With epiphora, in addition to excessive tearing, the color of the fur around the eyes also changes. Treatment of eyes in cats in this case is carried out using probing of the tear ducts. The method is painful, but so far the most effective.

2.Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva. Accompanied by redness and, often, opaque discharge from the animal’s eyes. Having noticed the symptoms, the owner should show the pet to the doctor. And before examination by a specialist, you can wash the eyes. For the procedure, use a decoction of chamomile, a very weak, slightly pinkish one, a solution of potassium permanganate or, in extreme cases, tea leaves. You can drip the solution from a pipette, but it is more convenient to use a syringe without a needle or a syringe. In any case, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.

3. Cataract

A serious disease that causes deterioration in the animal’s vision. The lens becomes cloudy, but this can be stopped with timely diagnosis and treatment. If the prescribed drug treatment does not help, they resort to artificial eye implantation.

4. Third eyelid prolapse

The role of the nictitating membrane or third (inner) eyelid for the eye is similar to the role of windshield wipers in a car. When the membrane increases in size, it can reach almost half of the cornea and can no longer cope with its functions. But the loss of the inner eyelid is more likely not a disease, but a symptom of other diseases. They may be infectious diseases, allergic reactions, poisoning and other problems of the digestive system, skin diseases, eye injuries, congenital or acquired pigmentation of the eyelid border. In addition, this phenomenon is observed with a weak muscular system and excessive development of the third eyelid. As a rule, with proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying causes, the third eyelid returns to its natural position on its own.

5.Eye irritation

Tearing and irritation of a cat's eye can be caused by chemicals or foreign matter. In the first case, immediate rinsing with warm water is necessary. If there is no source of water nearby, the owner needs to blot the pet’s eye with clean cotton wool, and then quickly find clean water and rinse it.

If a foreign body enters, eye treatment in cats can be carried out independently. Having made a thin but elastic swab from gauze, you need to moisten it and very carefully remove a grain of sand or speck, carefully moving it along the inside of the eye. If the owner does not dare to carry out the procedure, it is better to contact a specialist. A doctor from a veterinary clinic can also help if your pet’s eye is injured.

There are a number of reasons why cats and dogs may have excessive tear production. In all cases where tears flow beyond the edge of the eyelid, it is necessary to find out the cause of the problem and apply proper treatment.

In this article we will look at the causes of lacrimation in which there are no changes in the eye.

Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct

If an animal's eyes constantly run and there are no symptoms of inflammation or other visible changes in the eyes, a malfunction of the nasolacrimal duct is suspected due to a chronic inflammatory process, blockage of the duct or congenital pathology.

A cat or dog can be born with congenital underdevelopment of the nasolacrimal duct, but in most cases, nasolacrimal occlusion occurs as a result of tissue scarring after injury or after long-term eye infections. Blockage can also occur as a result of thick secretions, dirt and sometimes grass seeds entering the nasolacrimal duct.

To diagnose canal occlusion, your veterinarian will use a fluorescein test. Before the test, the eye is thoroughly cleaned of any secretions that could distort the test result. After that, fluorescein is instilled into the eye and after one or two minutes, during normal operation of the channel, green discharge will appear from the animal’s nose. If the canal is partially obstructed, discharge will appear after five or more minutes in small quantities. If the canal is completely obstructed, there will be no nasal discharge.

To correct obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct, lavage of the nasolacrimal duct or bougienage using nasolacrimal probes can be used to increase the lumen of the canal. These manipulations often normalize the activity of the nasolacrimal duct.

Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct leads to the development of chronic inflammatory diseases of the mucous membrane of the eyes and inflammation of the eyelids. These diseases require ongoing treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs that reduce tear production are also used.

Tear tracks under the eyes

The flow of tears from the eyes is often accompanied by the appearance of brownish tracks under the lower eyelids. It often occurs in cats or dogs with short noses and protruding eyes and can develop in dog breeds such as the Poodle, Chihuahua, Toy Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Lapdog, Shih Tzu, and Persian, British, Scottish, Exotic, and Persian cat breeds. other breeds of animals.

The structure of the face of such animals usually causes a narrowing of the nasolacrimal duct and lacrimal lake and, as a result, tears flow almost constantly beyond the edge of the lower eyelid.

The use of treatment is carried out after determining the cause of constant lacrimation. If the problem is related to blockage of the canal, it is washed. If a congenital pathology is detected, then bougienage of the nasolacrimal duct may be performed in young animals.

Hidden infections

Hidden infections, and most often chlamydial infections, cause profuse lacrimation in animals. In most cases, latent infections occur without changing the general condition of the body. The animal behaves actively, has a good appetite, and the only symptoms observed are profuse lacrimation, while the tears are completely transparent. To identify hidden infections, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is used, which allows you to identify the specific causative agent of the infection (DNA of bacteria, viruses, protozoa). If a specific pathogen is identified, a course of specific antibiotic therapy is applied.

If you observe prolonged lacrimation in your pet, this symptom is a reason to contact your veterinarian.