Please Help

First. Search function. Look up herpes. There is so much information about it on here that it can't all be covered in just one post. (there's threads and threads for it).

Second: Herpes isn't pink eye. It's not bacterial. It's a virus that cats get that reactivates under times of stress because stress lowers the immune system.

Third: No herbs. But you can get a supplement called L-lysine to boost the immune system. Dosage, brand discussion, and even methods of getting it into a cat are covered in extensive threads.

Wait, has anyone ever heard of a vet recommending to remove a cat's eye over herpes?

I believe at least one person on here has a one eyed cat due to that - LDG, I think?

One of our shelter's resident cats looked like he was going to lose an eye over a herpes infection. In fact, he was so bad off back about January, I wouldn't have given you a nickel for his chances of surviving another week.

With daily doses of L-lysine, he has "come back from the dead." His eye is still a little cloudy, but nowhere near as bad as it was.

First of all, breathe! I've been where you are, though not with the eyes, and there's a lot of help and support out there for you, here on this board and also at the Yahoo Feline Herpes Group. If you've not been directed there, here's the site: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/f...guid=353539644 .

Second, has your cat ever been tested for Herpes using the IDEXX Real PCR URD test to positively diagnose herpes? If not, and you want to spend the money to know what you're dealing with, ask your vet to run the test. You can go to the IDEXX website and read about the test and what all it tests for. http://www.idexx.com/view/xhtml/en_u...sts&SSOTOKEN=0 . Click on the Canine & Feline Respiratory Disease Panels, Tests, and Profiles. For a .pdf document on the test, here's the direct link: http://www.idexx.com/pubwebresources...-urd-panel.pdf

Third, what type of medications have you already tried? Has your schedule recently changed and/or has there been an upheaval in your house? Usually breakouts of herpes are triggered by stress. You might want to look into getting a Feliway diffuser (Comfort Zone with Feliway is what to look for). I usually buy mine from Entirely Pets, but you can get it at PetCo and PetsMart or look online at amazon or ebay. Here's the link to Entirely Pets: http://www.entirelypets.com/feliwayanddap.html . Getting the stress level down in your home by staying with a routine is very helpful for your kitty.

Lysine will help tremendously. It won't cure the virus, but it will help keep it from replicating. Also, switching to a grain-free diet helps. You also want to avoid steroids if she's got herpes. Steroids can actually make the virus replicate. You can find Lysine in the vitamins/supplements section of Wal-Mart or the pharmacy. Start with 500mg twice a day until you get the eye thing under control. I buy the powdered "NOW" Brand from the local health food store or online from this place: http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Lysi...2&sr=1-1-spell . I mix it in my cats' wet food serving in the morning and evening. You can also mix it in their water bowl.

You may also want to seek a second opinion from a different vet. Sometimes a new set of eyes helps.

Check your PM please

My parents adopted a kitten that lost an eye due to chlamydia (one eye was too far gone when they rescued her). I don't have anything to add as far as advice, except that I would also get a second opinion before opting to have the eye removed. Please keep us posted.

Attitude's eye has been messed up for 4 months now. We have tried everything and at this point we've given up, it is what it is(the vet is there as well so I'm not given up on my own.) Her eye is at no risk of being removed, not sure why your vet would immediately jump there. We(including the vets) figure it's herpes(she's immunocompromised so it's logical) since the lysine does help. Doesn't clear it up but it helps. There's been no new stress and we've dealt with this forever with her. 99% of all her vet appointments have been for eye infections. The receptionists at the vet's comment on how her eye looks(better, worse, the same) when I take her in. I usually plop her down on the counter to pay, she's on a leash so if there is a dog in the waiting room I can't put her down on the floor and I can't juggle her in my arms and pay at the same time.

I'd get a second opinion, eye removal is a very drastic step and I'd be getting a second opinion first.

I will say that Attitude got worse with unilateral bloody noses on the side of her bad eye and she did end up with a very nasty URI but they've both cleared up now it's just the eye. It's always the left eye on her so it's consistent, if I take her in for her eye they know which one it is since it's never been anything but her left eye. This has been going on forever since she was small so we're used to it and so is the vet. Like I said we've tried like 5 different antibiotics, eye ointments, eye drops and as I said it's still there but it isn't hurting her or doing anything except for being there so we'll just accept it is what it is. I will say hers is almost exclusively watering and looking irritated so there isn't pus like pinkeye or anything like that.

If the vet says eye removal please get a second opinion first since that is a very drastic step and I'd do the same for my cats if there was the same suggestion for Attitude, getting a second look when there is something drastic like that is always a good idea.

Taryn

Yes, but not without trying everything else first. Tolly almost lost an eye to herpes. I was lucky. I was able to take him to Cornell University Companion Animal Hospital to see an Veterinary Ophthalmology Specialist.

I know other cats who have had to have extensive surgery to save the affected eye.

To the OP: don't despair there is help, as you have read in your thread.

If he does end up losing an eye, he will be okay and adapt fine. It's devastating to us humans when something like that happens to our beloved cats, but not to them.

He won't know he only has one eye. All he will know is that he is loved and cared for by you his mama.

But I do think it's too soon to be thinking about that. I recommend you find another vet and start fresh.

Please keep us posted.

There is a one eyed cat who lives by my uncle in NC. Exclusively outdoor kitty. Beautiful friendly cat. It looks like something got her and took off a chunk of her head and got the eye. My uncle said they have had a few one eyed animals so something is munching on them. They adapt, like I said the cat was nothing but friendly and had never seen me before in it's life and came up to get some loving. She was just more careful about her blind side and startled if she noticed anything. An inside cat would have no issues with having just one eye. Most likely she'll never know any different.

Taryn

My cat Mandarin has had the virus since we brought him home 7 years ago. We think our cat Majel has it as well but she's only had one eye infection, so it's too early to tell.

L-lysine really does help. I can't tell you he's 100% cured all the time, because that's not how it works, but it has helped his disposition, how he's feeling, and I'm sure his comfort level because he's much happier and willing to play with his sister.

L-lysine will be relatively cheap, but finding what kind works for your kitty is important. There are many different forms. I use a powder I just stick in their water. They don't taste the difference, but it makes them much happier, their coats silkier and their happiness is much more evident.


Best of luck!