Hi,
Your cat could be suffering from a condition called 'epiphoria'. Epiphora is an abnormal overflowing of tears down the face that results from either something stopping the tears from properly draining through the tear duct system, or a surplus of tears that becomes too much for the normal eye 'drainage system' to handle.
The production of too many tears is usually a natural reflex, caused by the need to get rid of irritating material on the surface of the eye or when a some sort of irritation develops inside the eye. Less commonly, epiphora may also result from overactive tear glands and not be associated with any kind of irritation.
Normal cats may occasionally have minor tear overflow or you might see a minor discharge from the eye. However, excessive, chronic or recurrent bouts of epiphora suggest a problem may be present.
While tears are normally colorless, in cats, they can dry to a dark red-brown-black crust. Chronic tearing can also result in a brown to rust-colored staining of the hair around the eyes and face. This is probably due to 'porphyrins' or other pigment-like substances which tears contain. I think this is what you're seeing.
Tears that spill over onto the face can also be irritating to the skin of the face. Moisture and bacterial build-up in that area aggravates this irritation.
Epiphora can be caused by several conditions which will prevent the normal flow of tears from a cat's eyes.
For more information, please see:
http://www.petplace.com/cats/epiphora-in-cats/page1.aspx
Your cat may also be prone to this type of condition because she's Persian and therefore the 'pushed in' nose and flatness of the face can result in more tearing problems with the eyes.
The best thing to do is bring her to the vet to have her evaluated and discuss this problem. The vet will determine if any medication or treatment is necessary at this time.
I love Persians! I'm sure she's just gorgeous! Good luck, and please let me know what the vet says. Thanks!
Cher : )
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