Obstruction Cat — Nasolacrimal Duct

Think of the nasolacrimal duct as your cat’s internal drainage system. Normally, tears wash over the eye and drain through tiny holes (puncta) in the corner of the eye, down a narrow duct, and out through the nose. When that duct gets blocked, the tears have nowhere to go but over the eyelid and down the face—a symptom called epiphora .

Has your cat developed a constant "tear stain" down their face, even when they seem perfectly happy? While a little eye discharge is common, persistent wetness beneath the eyes—especially if it’s reddish-brown or thick—could point to a condition called Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (NLDO) .

🔹 Flushing the duct (quick & effective) 🔹 Antibiotics if infected 🔹 Surgery only for severe cases nasolacrimal duct obstruction cat

⚠️ Wetness on the cheek ⚠️ Thick yellow/green goo (not clear) ⚠️ Swollen bump below the eye

✅ Past Herpes Infection (scarring) ✅ Flat Face (Persian/Himalayan anatomy) ✅ Dirt or Litter (foreign body) Think of the nasolacrimal duct as your cat’s

Diagram: Eye → puncta → duct → nose. Text: Tears drain through a tiny tube into the nose. When blocked? Tears spill over the eyelid.

Title: Watery Eyes in Cats: When Epiphora Signals a Blocked Tear Duct Has your cat developed a constant "tear stain"

Impedance of tear flow from the ocular surface to the nasal vestibule.