Question: Nasolacrimal duct atresia
I'm a veterinarian, I have a 6 month old cria born this year with what we believe to be blocked tear ducts. He's got mucoid discharge bilaterally and it improves slightly with triple antibiotic ointment. There is mild conjunctivitis associated with this. He is BAR and growing well.
Answer:
Nasolacrimal duct atresia is fairly common. They will not resolve on its own if that is what it is. Look for the slit like opening at the ventroLATERAL aspect of the nares near the junction of the pigmented and non-pigmented skin. If the slit is there, flush the duct and see what happens (3.5 French cather). If the opening is not there, then cannulate the medial inferior puncta and flush the duct. If nothing comes out of the nose, look in the area where the slit should be and pulsate the flush to see if there is a membrane covering the duct. If so, incise this membrane and put on triple antibiotic ointment for a few days. About 10 to 15% will re-occur because of scar tissue.
David E Anderson,