So I went to the vet a week ago to get Buddha checked out. A urinary tract infection doesn't seem to be the culprit.
His derimitisis has subsided almost completely. This may be due to a change in the weather, the change in his diet, or the anti-biotics he has been being given. The dermitisis had subsided before I brought him to the vet.
The big concern is his right eye. The ulcer in it has been growing worse for the last month, and in the last 2 weeks it has gotten particularly bad.
Otherwise, Buddha's mood is almost exactly the same as it was before this eye problem developed. He is happy, friendly, playful and energetic. He does squint a little, but otherwise he isnt' paying much attention to the eye.
The vet prescribed Atropine and Gentamicin Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution along with an anti-biotic which is administered through the mouth.
The Atropine is supposed to be a topical pain reliever so the cat doesn't do additional damage to the eye by scratching. When it is administered Buddha's mouth begins to foam for about 20 minutes.
The GSO solution is a topical anti-biotic.
After a week of regular treatment with these drugs the cat's eye has continued to get worse. After doing some research online I have come across a number of pages that are suggesting FHV as a potential cause, and they suggest using L-Lysine as a treatment. I began by giving him ~300mg of L-Lysine today. I've been told 250mg-500mg is acceptable for a cat, so if I don't see any adverse reaction I will up his dose to 500mg daily.
Below are pictures of his eye. Beyond what I've been doing, if anyone has any further suggestions I would appreciate it. I am growing concerned that if this goes unchecked it will soon cost him his eye and potentially his eyesight.
At this point I have almost no faith in the veteranarians. I have gone to two and neither have offered me any advice that has worked. They both offered the cookie-cutter solution despite the fact that there were large indications that this is not a typical problem. Neither attempted to diagnose Buddha by looking for maladies that caused both eye ulcers and dermitisis. When I pursued the issue further with the second vet he said he didn't want to "chase zebras". $350 later and I'm out of money and out of patience for the vets. I have a friend who's a vet-tech who can likely get any medicine that might be needed, and if anyone has any suggestions that seem likely that a vet would be able to test further I'd be willing to go back to one, but I'm not going back unless I have a very pointed question. They have shown no competence at diagnosing this on their own.
I'm actually moderately hopeful about the L-Lysine. I will keep everyone posted, but any information is greatly appreciated.
I'm glad you're still around and still reading. There are a lot of people here who can give you good advice on how to care for Buddha. BUT... you will also find that most of us here believe that when YOU choose to adopt/take in an animal, you are making a pledge to care for that animal as best you can, for the duration of your animal's life. You wouldn't give your human child away if s/he wouldn't stop crying all night.
