What are some of the infectious causes of feline conjunctivitis?
Infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, etc.) are the most common causes of conjunctivitis in cats. In many cases virus infections such as Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Feline Calicivirus (of which there are many different strains) are the initial cause of inflammation. This allows a variety of bacteria such as Streptococci and Staphylococci to move in and cause a secondary infection. Two special organisms, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma (of which there are a number of types that infect cats) are capable on their own of initiating conjunctivitis. How can these causes of the conjunctivitis be differentially diagnosed? Because most cases are bacterial infections causing much of the symptoms (virus infections tend to improve without treatment) and because there is a need to reduce the immediate pain and inflammation, treatment is usually begun without a specific diagnosis. In cases that are not improving or where there is need to make a definitive diagnosis, swab samples may be taken from t
