An
imperforate lacrimal punctum is a
congenital disorder of
dogs involving the lack of an opening to the
nasolacrimal duct (tear duct) in the
conjunctiva. Dogs normally have two
lacrimal puncta, the superior and inferior. This condition can affect either or both. Symptoms include excessive
tearing and tear staining of the hair around the eye. Affected breeds include the
American Cocker Spaniel,
Bedlington Terrier,
Golden Retriever,
Poodle, and
Samoyed. Imperforate lacrimal puncta can be corrected by surgical opening of the punctum.
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