Dacryocystitis specifically means inflammation of the tear sac. The lacrimal gland produces tear fluid, while the tear sac and ducts form part of the drainage route. The disease discussed here therefore differs from inflammation of the gland that produces tears. Tear sac inflammation is rare in cats, and not every watery eye is caused by it.
When to see a vet urgently
A painful eye or one whose appearance has changed needs prompt examination, because discharge may be caused by a sight-threatening injury:
- your cat keeps the eye closed, squints markedly or rubs it constantly;
- the clear surface of the eye becomes cloudy or has a visible injury;
- your cat bumps into things or suddenly seems to see less well;
- eye symptoms start after an injury or exposure to a chemical.
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Overview
Normally, tear fluid moistens the eye and drains through the tear duct into the nasal cavity. With dacryocystitis, the duct becomes blocked or inflamed, leading to tear accumulation and infection. In cats, the condition causes chronic eye discharge, redness and discomfort. Without treatment, inflammation may become chronic or cause complications.
The tear drainage route begins at small openings in the inner corners of the upper and lower eyelids. Fluid passes from these into small channels and then into the duct leading to the nose. If drainage slows, tears may run down the cheek. This is called epiphora, or tear overflow. It describes a symptom, not yet its cause.
Watering can also occur because an irritated eye produces more tear fluid than usual. The duct is not necessarily blocked in this situation. Conjunctivitis, a corneal ulcer and an abnormal eyelid position, for example, may cause similar wetness. Distinguishing these from tear sac inflammation affects what is treated and how.
Causes
Dacryocystitis develops in cats for various reasons:
- congenital narrowing or malformations of the tear duct;
- inflammation in the nasal cavity or sinuses;
- a mechanical blockage caused by dust, hair or a foreign body;
- injuries to the eyes or face;
- bacterial or viral infections;
- tumours around the eye socket or nose.
The cause of an obstruction may be present from birth or develop later. In some cats, a tear drainage opening has not opened normally. In others, inflammatory swelling, discharge or foreign material interferes with a previously functioning duct. A lesion pressing on the duct from outside is also possible. Flushing alone therefore does not resolve every cat's problem: the cause of the obstruction also needs investigation.
Risk factors
The condition occurs more often in:
- brachycephalic breeds, including Persians, British Shorthairs and Exotics, with anatomically narrower tear ducts;
- kittens with congenital abnormalities;
- cats with chronic nasal or sinus inflammation;
- cats living in dusty or dirty conditions.
Information on risk factors for true dacryocystitis in cats is limited. The list does not mean that every cat of a mentioned breed or in such an environment has a high risk of inflammation. In a short-nosed cat, facial structure may impair tears reaching the drainage openings. A visible tear track therefore does not alone indicate a bacterial infection or prove that the duct is blocked internally.
Main symptoms
Dacryocystitis may be suspected from the following signs:
- eye discharge, which may be watery, mucous or purulent;
- watering and wet fur below the eye;
- redness and swelling at the inner corner of the eye;
- discomfort or pain when pressure is applied;
- eyelids sticking together after sleep;
- deterioration in general condition in complicated cases, including tiredness and loss of appetite.
As well as checking discharge, notice whether your cat keeps the eye open normally and whether the skin beneath the fur is intact. Prolonged moisture can cause skin redness, itching, hair loss or an unpleasant smell. These observations differ from pain or cloudiness of the eye surface, and the examination establishes which tissue is affected.
If eye discharge is accompanied by sneezing, nasal discharge or reduced appetite, mention these too. An upper respiratory infection can cause conjunctivitis and eye discharge without inflammation of the tear sac. Herpesvirus may also be associated with corneal damage. The appearance of discharge or concurrent nasal symptoms therefore cannot diagnose tear sac inflammation on their own.
Complications and consequences
Without treatment, dacryocystitis can lead to:
- chronic eye inflammation;
- infection spreading to the cornea, causing keratitis or ulcers;
- an abscess in the tear sac;
- impaired sight or complete sight loss.
Sight loss is not an inevitable consequence of an ordinary tear track. A deep corneal ulcer is a particularly dangerous finding and may progress to perforation of the eye. An ulcer can itself cause watering and be the original problem. It should not automatically be interpreted as an infection that has spread from the tear sac. Pain and cloudiness need prompt attention, whatever the eventual cause of discharge.
Diagnosis at the vet
Diagnosis includes:
- examination of the eyes and tear sac region;
- a test of tear duct patency;
- analysis of discharge, including bacterial culture;
- X-rays or ultrasound of the tear duct if needed.
What do the investigations establish?
The vet examines the eyelids, eye surface and tear drainage openings. Tear production may be measured with a paper strip test, and eye pressure is measured if needed. This also looks for diseases that increase watering without inflammation of the drainage route. Tests are chosen according to the eye findings, and not every cat needs every imaging investigation.
Fluorescein dye can be used for two different purposes. On the corneal surface, it helps identify an ulcer by adhering to the damaged area. To assess drainage, the vet observes whether dye placed in the eye reaches the nose. If no dye is seen, the drainage route needs closer investigation; this finding alone does not confirm a complete obstruction.
The duct can be examined and flushed with a thin cannula while your cat is sedated. Flushing may also remove a mild blockage. In a persistent or difficult case, imaging looks for the site of obstruction and a possible tumour or another structural cause. Contrast imaging can help show where fluid passage is blocked.
Treatment and follow-up
Treatment aims to restore tear drainage and address the inflammation identified. The vet may prescribe eye medication, but this does not always remove a foreign body or correct a congenital structural abnormality. If needed, a duct opening is widened, obstructing material is removed or a tube is placed to support drainage. An alternative surgical drainage route may be considered when the original route is permanently damaged.
Treatment is monitored through both the eye and the surrounding skin. Follow the prescribed medication and attend agreed checks even if visible discharge decreases. If the eye becomes painful or cloudy, contact the practice before the next scheduled visit. With corneal damage, the vet may recommend a protective collar to prevent rubbing from worsening the injury.
Do not start an antibiotic simply for stained fur. The need for antibiotics is based on an identified infection. Products sold to remove tear staining vary in effectiveness, and some can harm the eye. Do not use products containing hydrogen peroxide near the eyes. Check suitable cleaning products with your vet and keep the area around the eye as clean and dry as possible.
Prevention
Measures to prevent dacryocystitis include:
- timely treatment of nasal and upper respiratory infections;
- regular eye checks for breeds prone to problems;
- maintaining eye hygiene by removing discharge, particularly in Persians and British Shorthairs;
- protecting your cat from injuries and dusty conditions.
Not every case can be prevented, because routine cleaning does not correct congenital narrowing or facial structure. Hygiene helps care for damp skin but does not open a blocked duct. Treating nasal disease does not guarantee that watering will stop either. If discharge continues or changes, the eye is reassessed.
What it means for owners
Dacryocystitis in cats is an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous disease that needs your attention. If there is pus from the eyes, swelling or watering, home remedies are insufficient: only a vet can establish the cause and prescribe the right treatment.
This material provides information and does not replace veterinary advice. Seek veterinary attention promptly when the first signs of disease appear.
Frequently asked questions
Is a brown tear track a sign of tear sac inflammation?
Not on its own. Discolouration can develop in persistently wet fur even when facial structure is responsible for inadequate drainage. Assessment of inflammation also considers eye pain, redness, discharge and skin condition. Fur colour alone does not show whether an antibiotic is needed.
Can flushing the tear duct solve the problem?
It can help if the duct contains removable material or a mild blockage. Structural narrowing, a closed opening or a mass pressing on the duct may require other treatment. The investigation therefore also establishes why fluid is not passing normally.
Does treatment always stop eye watering?
The result depends on the cause. If the underlying problem can be corrected, watering may decrease. Overflow related to facial structure may persist despite treatment. The goals are then a healthy eye and intact skin, rather than unstained fur alone.
Can eye discharge spread to other cats at home?
That depends on its cause. A structural drainage problem alone does not indicate an infection, but respiratory infections causing similar eye symptoms can spread between cats. Chlamydial bacteria, for example, spread through eye discharge during close contact. If several cats have symptoms, tell your vet so that investigations also target infectious causes. Vaccinations against herpesvirus and calicivirus reduce the risk of severe illness but do not prevent every infection. New eye discharge in a vaccinated cat therefore still needs assessment according to the symptoms.
This article is for general information only and is not a guide to treatment. If you notice the first signs of illness, contact your vet.
Paw4care editorial team
Sources
- Disorders of the Nasal Cavity and Tear Ducts in Cats, Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed 2026-11-02.
- Lacrimal Duct Obstruction in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals, accessed 2026-11-02.
- Corneal Ulcers, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, accessed 2026-11-02.
- Respiratory Infections, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, accessed 2026-11-02.
- Eye Discharge (Epiphora) in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals, accessed 2026-11-02.