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) .
Impedance of tear flow from the ocular surface to the nasal vestibule. nasolacrimal duct obstruction cat
✅ Past Herpes Infection (scarring) ✅ Flat Face (Persian/Himalayan anatomy) ✅ Dirt or Litter (foreign body) Has your cat developed a constant "tear stain"
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 . ✅ Past Herpes Infection (scarring) ✅ Flat Face