Dacryocystitis in dogs: Jones test and nasolacrimal flushing
3-year-old Podenco with mucopurulent discharge at the medial canthus of the right eye for 3 weeks, which improves with antibiotic drops and relapses when they are stopped. Pressing over the lacrimal sac expresses pus from the lacrimal puncta. The cornea is fluorescein-negative and no dye appears at the right nostril after 10 minutes.
What is the most appropriate next step?
chevron_right Show answer and explanation
A. Repeat another two-week course of broad-spectrum antibiotic eye drops
Relapse on stopping treatment indicates a persistent cause in the nasolacrimal system (often a foreign body). Without flushing and looking for the cause, drops only mask the problem.
B. Conclude that the duct is obstructed because of the negative Jones test and schedule a dacryocystorhinostomy
A negative Jones test does not confirm obstruction: false negatives are common (dye may drain into the nasopharynx). Bypass surgery is the last resort, not the next step.
C. Start topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation of the lacrimal sac
With active infection and a probable foreign body, a corticosteroid without antibiotic or flushing worsens the condition. The system must be emptied and cleaned first.
D. Cannulate the lacrimal punctum and flush the duct with saline under sedation, take a culture sample and look for a foreign body
Correct. This is dacryocystitis. Flushing assesses patency, expels material and sometimes the grass awn itself. If it recurs or patency is not restored, dacryocystorhinography or CT will locate the obstruction. Then use topical antibiotic guided by culture for several weeks.
lightbulb Key takeaway
A positive Jones test (fluorescein at the nostril in about 5 minutes) confirms patency; a negative one simply means further investigation, especially in brachycephalic dogs and cats. In Spain, think of grass awns when a field dog has recurrent dacryocystitis.
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Updated: October 31, 2026 · Educational content for veterinary professionals. It does not replace current clinical guidelines or the judgement of the attending veterinarian.