One of my cats has been diagnosed with a blocked tear duct. Vet said there is not a lot he can do, and as she's not in discomfort just to clean it when it gets gunky. I clean it about 3 times a day, but the discharge has stained the sides of her nose (other eye has started now ) and she constantly looks like she has black eyes! She is all white too, so it looks awful, bless her!

Does anyone have any thoughts on what I can use to get rid of the stains? The discharge is clear but when it gathers on her fur it looks like a very dark, congealed blood-type substance. I have read a lot about Eyebright, and have ordered some Liz Earle Eyebright lotion as lots of people use this on their pets gunky eyes. Not sure if it's going to remove the stains though, but will be grateful if it soothes them at least! I normally just used cooled boiled water and a cotton bud.

My mother always used to use cold tea on her white poodles to remove the stains! Whether it's an old wives tale I don't know
regards

DT

Hiya

I get this on His Nibs' eyes - one is worse than the other - and the vet said much the same as yours.

I actually went to my local pet shop (not a chain one) and spoke to them about it and they recommended a special cat eye drop thing (like an Optrex but for cats) - it wasnt expensive and was really good, you can drop it into the eye, or put on a tissue and wipe over the closed eye

e

for getting rid of stains on whites especially you should be looking for a stain remover - but you don't use it in eye, only on the stains themselves x

any of these would be fine:

Eye Products --- Purrsonal Touch

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Thanks both. I will keep an eye out (pardon the pun!) for those drops. As for the tea, funnily enough I did squeeze a used bag into the water a few times when her eye was red and sore looking. Seemed to calm it down too. I may have a go rubbing this on her patches - you never know! Thanks again.

Hiya,

Its very difficult keeping them clean with that problem, particularly on a white cat, try eye envy, its not cheap but is absolutely fantastic,you use the eye cleaning pads and fluid to clean then apply the powder which works so well to disguise the stains so well. I have even been able to show a cat with this problem because the eye envy worked so well.

EYE ENVY WHITE DOG TEAR STAIN REMOVER PRIORTY SHIPPING on eBay, also Health Care, Dog Supplies, Pet Supplies, Home Garden (end time 05-Apr-09 20:19:02 BST)

For general cleaning I just use cooled camomile tea, its very soothing to the eye, I have also used optrex drops in the past.

Good luck

Izzie

Hi, ours is a dog with no tear ducts and weve been told that its bacteria and theres not much you can do. Years ago i did go through all the things on the market but nothing has worked.Now i just clean with warm water.If you do find a cure id like to hear, thanks.

Tea's a natural astringent and i always use for problems with eyes if i have to x

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I have a red smoke persian and find Sherleys eye lotion good for stains. As you can use it in the eyes it is quite safe but I never need to use it as eye drops.

Update on cure! Am on day 1 of Liz Earle Eyebright, and so far so very very good

I used some on a cotton wool pad held over her eyes for a minute or so. I then dipped a cotton wool bud in the lotion and cleaned her dirty patches. She didn't hang around for me to have a proper look and darted out the back to play! When she came back in about half an hour later, her eyes were completely clean! She looked like a different cat. I have just chased her around the garden trying to get another look at her face and yep, still clean Very impressed by this! Am going to do the same tomorrow to make sure it's the Eyebright and not just beginners luck.

For those interested, this is the stuff:

Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare - Eye care

It's full of lovely, natural anti-bacterial ingrediants such as witch hazel and soothing aloe vera. I may use some myself tonight, but if it proves to be a cure for Casey's dirty eyes she will be getting her own full size bottle!!
I bought the 50ml bottle to start. You can also pick it up on Ebay for a bit less, £4.25 on the LE site.

Will keep you posted....