Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Right eye tear duct blockage and infection in a young cat
By Barbry, Jean-Baptiste et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2026·Centre Hospitalier Onlyvet, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Caused by Dacryolith With Secondary Infectious Dacryocystitis in a Cat: A Case Report.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 6-month-old European Shorthair cat was brought to the vet because of a persistent, gooey discharge from its right eye. After several tests, including a CT scan, the vet discovered a blockage in the tear duct caused by a mineral buildup (called a dacryolith) and an infection. The vet performed surgery to remove the blockage, and afterward, the cat's symptoms improved significantly. At a follow-up appointment eight months later, the cat was doing well with no signs of the problem returning.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features, diagnostic imaging, surgical management, and mineralogical findings of a nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction caused by a dacryolith with secondary infectious dacryocystitis in a cat. METHODS: A 6-month-old European Shorthair male cat was presented with chronic mucopurulent discharge from the right eye. Ophthalmic examination, NLD irrigation, computed tomography (CT), dacryocystotomy, bacterial culture, and mineral analysis were performed. RESULTS: CT revealed a calcified opacity in the right NLD consistent with a dacryolith. Simple CT identified the calcification, and CT-dacryocystorhinography (CT-DCG) confirmed a filling defect at this site while showing partial duct patency. Dacryocystotomy allowed removal of a tan, firm, mineralized concretion composed of calcium phosphate. Pasteurella sp. was cultured from the surrounding exudate. Clinical signs resolved postoperatively, with no recurrence observed at 8-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This case documents the first reported feline dacryolith, underscoring the diagnostic value of advanced imaging and the therapeutic benefit of dacryocystotomy. Although the mineral composition is established, the pathogenesis remains unclear.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40999791/