Make regular appointments with a groomer, if necessary.Keep your cat’s face hair trimmed (particularly the hair around the eyes).Gently wipe your cat’s face at least twice a day with a soft, warm, damp cloth.
#Vet squish that cat how to#
Karen Becker recommends three tactics for how to clean tear stains on cats safely: Ask your vet for suggestions on specific products, as not all of these have been proven effective or even safe. There are multiple over-the-counter products that claim to help clean pet tear stains. For instance, a diagnosis of conjunctivitis will typically require antibiotic ointment or eye drops. Treatment for epiphora in cats will also depend on whether another eye condition has been diagnosed.
The vet may suspect that your cat’s nasolacrimal duct is blocked if that is the case, your cat will be put under anesthesia and a special instrument will be inserted into the duct to flush out the contents. Your cat’s face may have a slight odor, as well.Īlthough cat tear stains aren’t typically an issue, you should take your cat into the vet for an examination to rule out any serious health concerns. If you see cat eye discharge that is reddish-brown, this could indicate a yeast infection as a result of your cat’s fur under the eyes being constantly wet. This is because these breeds technically have facial deformities that do not allow the tear film to drain properly-“the tear film fails to enter the duct and simply rolls off the face.” Persians, Himalayans, and other cat breeds with flat or squished-in faces (also known as brachycephalics) most often display cat tear stains. Tear stains are more common among these cat breeds Environmental exposures (secondhand smoke, etc.).Other causes of epiphora in cats include: The most common cause of insufficient tear drainage is “a blockage of the nasolacrimal ducts or poor eyelid function due to a deformity,” according to DVMs Dr. This type of cat eye discharge is usually nothing more than a cosmetic nuisance, but might be a sign of serious health problems.
Epiphora is most often associated with insufficient tear drainage. It commonly manifests as dampness on your cat’s face, as well as cat tear stains that look like reddish-brown streaks. Learn why this type of discharge is more common among certain breeds, including Persian and Himalayan, as well as how to treat epiphora in cats.Įpiphora is a term used to describe excessive tear production, a symptom that is associated with multiple conditions or diseases. Epiphora is a type of cat eye discharge that pet parents might commonly refer to as cat tear stains.