Feline Herpesvirus

[sickkitty]

Easter Sunday '07, an adorable black kitten wandered into church (looked thin and appeared to be homeless), ended up coming home w/me. No one in the neighborhood would claim him, although later found out he did belong to a neighbor who put him out since she no longer wanted him). It wasn't long before I noticed sneezing spells, nasal drainage (tan color, sometimes blood tinged, usually thick), and eye tearing. Vet gave antibiotic for Upper Resp. Infection, said give smaller dosage over longer time, more successful. Seemed effective the last few days. Then, symtoms reappeared after a few days later. Vet said believes Feline Herpesvirus; give L-Lysine, 500 mg. sprinkled on food daily, no cure, but this helps relieve some symptoms. Kitty appears healthy, shiney black coat, very good appetite, VERY active!!, loves to play fetch w/balls w/bells in them and chase things, including my 2 toy poodles. Other than those symptoms, appears normal. Is concerning though, isn't there something more that I should be doing? I have followed all the environmental suggestions. We have fallen in love w/him and want to give him the best we can.

[stulchinsky]

Dear Sickkitty,

Thank you for participating in the forum. Sorry to hear about your pet's condition. There is physician-developed and monitored information on treatment for Feline Herpesvirus on this website at the following link:

http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/rhinotracheitis/treatment.shtml

I hope this information is helpful. Physicians who monitor these forums respond to some posts but not to all, so please continue to post in the forum as you learn additional information.

I wish you the very best.

[sickkitty]

re: sickkitty response,
Thank you for your response. I will be checking out the website.

[petty]

From what my vet has told me there is no cure but using lysine helps keep the outbreaks farther apart therefore the need for antibiotics is farther apart. Lysine supports their immune system. My cat had already been a member for 8 years of a multi cat household and none of the other cats have the symptoms. One cat is now about19, one is 6 and the other is 10 and no symptoms. My cat with feline herpes has nasal discharge, eye watering and sneezing but with lysine the symptoms are not as severe. I order the paste (has a taste of loves to eat) on line now. Just ordered thru Amazon and will let you now how that works. he will always need it so that is a less expensive way to get it and my vet suggested I do that. It takes a lot of work, hang in there.

[bellflower]

I have treated cats with even severe Rhino. I give them a little silver colloidal daily with a dropper. Also, something that can work to help strengthen a kitty is to get colostrum (I use Mt. Capra goat colostrum). I would give your kitty about a fourth of a cap at a time several times a day for a couple of weeks. This helps it's immunity system and also helps in other ways. I think it works especially well in kittens. I would continue with l lysine for a time also.

[1KITTY]

I had similar symptoms with my BK (black kitty). The antibiotics and antihistamies did NOTHING! I spent so much $$.Plus, the antihistamines made him groggy and he slept all the time.
Be sure and have your vet take a nose culture. It will take a few days to ge the results. He needs try Zenequin. as it treats this type of infection, whereas the regular antibiotics do not.

It cleared him right up! Also, in case you have a problem giving your kitty pills, there is something at the vet's called "Greenies." You put the pill inside the maleable food ball, and they gobble it right up. No more forcing the mouth open and sticking your finger down there. My cat wanted more!
I hope this helps you. It was a miracle for my BK. He's such a blessing to me!!

[Karen O]

My vet recommended 500 mg of Lysine per day with wet food...I used one 500 mg tablet and grind it then add to food. It does help lessen the outbreaks, but they, as with human herpes, will always reoccur as there is no cure.

Avoidance of stress is helpful, but my happy, healthy cat seems to have outbreaks every three months or so.