How do you treat a blocked tear duct in a cat?

How do you treat a blocked tear duct in a cat?

Under general anesthesia, your vet may use plain water or saline to flush your cat’s blocked tear duct. If there’s an infection, antibiotic eye ointment or drops may be needed.

How do they unblock a tear duct?

Balloon catheter dilation. First the patient is given a general anesthetic. Then the doctor threads through the tear duct blockage in the nose a tube (catheter) with a deflated balloon on the tip. He or she inflates and deflates the balloon a few times to open the blockage.

Does warm compress Help blocked tear duct?

A warm compress can help decrease pain. It can also make it easier to unblock the tear duct. Use a small towel or gauze dipped in warm water. Leave the compress in place for 5 minutes.

Is there a cure for cat tear duct overflow?

Generally speaking, there is no nonspecific treatment for blockage of cat tear ducts. Treatment will depend greatly upon what is causing the overflow. Causes of excessive tearing, like infections, inflammation or other conditions must be treated with appropriate anti-inflammatory medication or antibiotics.

Can a cat have a blocked tear duct?

So now the vet says that it’s a blocked tear duct. According to him it can be fixed with surgery but that would only be for cosmetic reasons and that the blocked duct and the discharge that it causes is not harmful or uncomfortable for him. However from what I’ve read online it can be harmful and uncomfortable.

What to do if your cat has lacrimal duct obstruction?

In these causes, anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics may alleviate the obstruction. Use all medications as recommended by your veterinarian, and return for all scheduled rechecks, in order to maximize the chances of resolving your cat’s lacrimal duct obstruction. In other cases, surgery may be required for treatment.

What to do if your dog has a blocked tear duct?

Our Whisper has a blocked tear duct and has had it for years. When we first got her inside and noticed it, our vet said that it was blocked. They could unblock the duct and clean it out, but he said that it would be painful for Whisper. And he couldn’t guarantee that it wouldn’t block up again.

How do you treat blocked tear ducts?

Massage is one of the most commonly recommended treatments for blocked tear ducts. After thoroughly cleaning your hands, gently massage the space between the inner corner of the eye and the bridge of the nose, rubbing toward the nose.

How do you treat an infected tear duct?

Antibiotics that can be taken by mouth are the standard treatment for tear duct infection. However, a severe infection requires initial intravenous antibiotics and observation in the hospital. In general, antibiotics clear up acute infections quickly. Antibiotics are also used to treat chronic infections.

What is a blocked tear duct?

Tear duct obstruction, also known as a blocked tear duct, nasolacrimal obstruction, or dacryostenosis, is a condition in which the nasolacrimal passage which drain the tears from the surface of the eye become blocked.