odins_mama avatar image

Blocked tear duct

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and new to the world of bulldogs. We have a 5 1/2 month old male english bulldog. For about a month he has had a blocked tear duct (confirmed by dye strip test at the vet). As a result he has pretty bad skin fold dermatitis under his eye that we just can't seem to clear up. The vet has recommended we flush out his duct under anesthetic and that we could neuter him at the same time. So I guess I have a couple of questions:

1) Has anyone had experience with flushing out tear ducts? 

2) Would you neuter now too since he has to be put under anesthetic for his eye anyway? We were hoping to wait a year, but our breeder is supportive if we do it now

We have tried warm compresses to try to encourage the duct to clear. Any other remedies?? The concern is that if we don't take care of his eye now that it could become a chronic condition like dry eye. There is no entropian or cherry eye (at this point anyway)

Looking for advice, experience...I'm so torn on what to do. Thank you!!!

Kathy Chester Newman and Jessa's picture

We had one with a blocked tear duct...

we just kept the wrinkle clean and put Desitin on it to help keep it from being a problem.  He never had problems with dry eye and passed away this summer at 12.

We have also neutered at 6 months and the two males we did were just fine.  Just be sure you have a bulldog knowledgabe vet, there are very specific needs for anesthesia and care during surgery.  

odins_mama's picture

Thank you Kathy I appreciate

Thank you Kathy I appreciate your advice! Our vet is very good and experienced and it's where our dog was born (and all of our breeder's dog's) so we trust him. I'm sorry to hear about your dog passing - it sounds like he had a good long life :)