Feline conjunctivitis is extremely common and causes significant ocular discomfort. Understanding the causes and appropriate treatment prevents unnecessary suffering.
Conjunctivitis causes significant ocular discomfort - the itching, burning, and photosensitivity of inflamed conjunctiva affects the cat's comfort and normal behavior throughout an episode. Recurrent herpesvirus conjunctivitis in stress-triggered episodes means that cats in poor welfare conditions (chronic stress, overcrowding, social conflict) experience more frequent and more severe conjunctivitis episodes, creating a welfare cycle where poor welfare causes illness that itself worsens welfare. Treating conjunctivitis appropriately and addressing its triggers - particularly chronic stress - breaks this cycle and improves overall cat welfare.