Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelids and covering the front of the sclera. In cats it is usually infectious: feline herpesvirus 1, Chlamydia felis and Mycoplasma can each act as primary conjunctival pathogens. The cause decides the drug, so the NAVLE rewards recognizing each pattern.
Key facts
Conjunctivitis at a glance- Species and system: cat; eye (conjunctiva, often with cornea and upper airway).
- Causes: FHV-1, C. felis, Mycoplasma; also allergens, irritants and eosinophilic disease.
- Classic presentation: a young cat or kitten from a group setting with chemosis, hyperemia and ocular discharge, sometimes with sneezing.
- Key distinction: a dendritic corneal ulcer means FHV-1; marked chemosis with little corneal involvement suggests Chlamydia.
- Zoonotic or reportable: human conjunctivitis from C. felis is rare; wash hands after handling.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Choosing a treatment from the clinical picture
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 9 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.