Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Right eye tear duct blockage and infection from a stone in a young cat
By Barbry, Jean‐Baptiste et al.·Published in Veterinary Ophthalmology·2025·Centre Hospitalier Onlyvet St Priest France, France·View original on Crossref →
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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 in with a persistent discharge from its right eye. After several tests, including a CT scan, the vet found a blockage in the tear duct caused by a mineral buildup called a dacryolith. The vet performed surgery to remove the blockage, and a bacterial infection was also treated. After the surgery, the cat's symptoms cleared up, and it showed no signs of problems during a follow-up visit eight months later.
People also search for: cat eye discharge treatment · dacryolith in cats · cat tear duct blockage symptoms
Abstract
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 Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.70084