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Newly adopted 10+ year old - are eye ulcers curable?

post #1 of 9
1/10/10 at 9:23am
Thread Starter 
Hello,

I just adopted a 10+ year old cat who has a cloudy eye. I spoke at length to the vet in the shelter and they had done dye testing and think it's most likely an ulcer resulting from the herpes / cat flu virus.

The vet told me this was incurable and could flair up / get worse - which I accepted and went forward with the adoption. I've since been researching about this online and have come across various ointments / anti-biotic treatments which claim to cure eye ulcers. Can this be treated so her eye becomes clear again? I'd assumed if it was treatable they'd have done something in the shelter / given me drops to take home (it's Battersea - big, reputable shelter in London and their vets will treat adoptees for up to 3 months, so I could go back to them).

I'm going to a local vet next week to register and will get their opinion (the eye is not red / irritated - just cloudy) but the vet at the shelter warned me that there's a danger of over-medicating and it would be great to know in advance if anyone has experienced anything similar?

Many thanks!
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post #2 of 9
1/10/10 at 9:56am
Actually, most shelters will treat only minimally, so don't assume they did everything they could for your new cat.

The damage may well be permanent, but you might want to check out supplementing her diet with l-lysine. I've seen it do a lot of good in herpes cases, but it's not a cure-all.

Others here may have more experiences to tell you about.
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post #3 of 9
1/10/10 at 10:36am
I would talk to your vet before trying this, but I've heard some good things about a product called "Eye See Clearly" from folks on the Herpes Yahoo group. One lady did say that it reversed most of an eye problem her herpes cat had.

http://www.allergicpet.com/products/...e_clearly.html
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post #4 of 9
1/12/10 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the tips! The vet said it's a scar from the ulcer (which is no longer active) - it still has a little bit of healing to go, so may improve slightly. The 'Eye See Clearly' drops sound like they'd be worth a try to do everything possible!
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post #5 of 9
1/12/10 at 9:36am
I don't have any tips, but let me just say bless you for adopting a senior kitty. I hope you and your new kitty are very happy together
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post #6 of 9
1/12/10 at 12:49pm
Fiona had an eye ulcer from her herpes when I adopted her. Some cats just make themselves yours and you have no choice but to take them "for better or worse". She had an appt with her opthamologist when I adopted her that I had to keep, they were unsure if she was going to need surgery or not. It turned out she didn't and I only occasionally have to give her ointment for her eye if it gets red and irritated. Only 3 times since I have had her.

Hers was a black lesion on her eye though not the cloudyness you've described. Not sure what if anything can be done once it is cloudy. If it doesn't cause her pain and won't progress than I say leave it alone if its just cosmetic. It gives her character. If it is progressive though they must be able to do something to help stave it off. Look into lysine in any event. It is a great supplement that will help build up her immune system.
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post #7 of 9
1/13/10 at 1:09pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the tips - yes, this cat definitely made herself mine - for better or worse! I knew she had issues when the shelter offered to waive the donation fee! My beloved little cat died in December so me and new cat are both a bit broken - healing each other.

She has some black spots on the iris of her other eye - need to watch for melanoma - poor thing!

I need to decide on a name for her - it's hard with an older cat - names seem either too cutesy or too dull!
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post #8 of 9
1/14/10 at 10:21am
Awww. Sorry to hear about your other cat. Thats rough. I am glad you found a cat you could open your heart to.

I would name her something pretty and old ladyish. I like really feminine old timey names, like Penelope, Gertrude, Beatrice. or flower names like Daisy, Pansy, Rose, Petunia, Lily.

I am sure a suitable name will come to you as you get to know her better.
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post #9 of 9
1/15/10 at 11:22am
hi! my cats eye ulcer has 95% healed except for a little scar section! i am sure she will be fine
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