Chronic bacterial skin infections in cats

Many chronic skin lesions appear similar clinically; thus it is important t o recognize their differing cytologic and morphologic characteristics, cult ure requirements, and histopathologic staining properties. Successful treat ment depends on accurate identification of the causative organism using app ropriate techniques for collecting and preparing samples for analysis. Anti biotic therapy is best selected on the basis of sensitivity testing. Becaus e results may be unknown for several weeks, however, therapy with antibioti cs that have a history of success against a specific organism should be ini tiated in the interim.