First feline NLA endoscopy and stenting successful

A temporary stent was placed in Kinako, an eight-year-old domestic shorthair cat.

A new, minimally invasive approach to nasolacrimal obstructions has shown promise in equine and canine patients, but until recently, had not been performed successfully in a feline patient. That is no longer the case

On Jan. 6, the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) announced the success of a surgery to permanently reopen the left eye duct of an eight-year-old female domestic shorthair cat by removing obstructions and temporarily stenting the left nasolacrimal passage. The cat’s owner reports that her left eye now demonstrates a complete resolution of signs.

The lacrimal system is responsible for the generation and drainage of tears. But sometimes, the nasolacrimal apparatus (NLA) gets blocked, and can get infected, leading to discomfort, tear staining, and discharge from the eye, resulting in skin inflammation. This was the case with Kinako, the cat that underwent the procedure.

With cameras now small enough to fit into the tiny drainage ducts, the UC Davis clinicians utilized endoscopy (as well as CT and fluoroscopy) to identify and remove the NLA obstructions. A temporary stent was then placed to reopen the duct from eye to nose.

The stent was left in place for two months to allow adequate time for the duct to heal in an open position. Although Kinako initially had some persistent ocular discharge caused by an infection in the tissue around the eye, this cleared with antibiotics.

Kinako’s left eye no longer shows signs of build-up or excessive tearing, and her nasolacrimal duct remains clear.

Photo credit: © 2016 University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

NEWStat Advancements & research News