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L-lysine...how long?

post #1 of 9
1/20/12 at 6:06pm
Thread Starter 

We started Fred on Lysine Wednesday night so he's had 4 doses. Typically, how long does it take to begin seeing results?  Is this something that has to build up in their system?

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post #2 of 9
1/20/12 at 6:53pm
You really should see start to see improvement in 2-3 days. What dose is he on? Because if it's a bacterial URI, the L-lysine won't help. If it's viral, it will. But if he's on 500mg and you're seeing no improvement, then it is worth upping it to 750mg, then even 1000mg. If that doesn't help inside of a couple of days, there's no point in continuing with it. (IMO). It does cause gastric upset in some cats (Chumley was one, couldn't tolerate it).

Don't know if you're interested, but... http://www.holisticat.com/uri.html

vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifcross.gif
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post #3 of 9
1/20/12 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 

It's not a URI, he has constant runny eye and compromised immune system. It is constant, poor kitty. 

 

I did 500 the first night and he threw up so for the second dose I dropped it down to 250. I've kept it right around 250 (hard to be precise, the little scoop is 500 so you have to eyeball everything else) for all subsequent doses. Today will be his 2nd full day on it and his eye has slowed down, but is still running a bit. I may take the dose up just a bit tomorrow to see if we can clear it up completely. 

 

He is our one kitty that sneezes and behaves like he has a URI but none of the other cats ever come down with anything. When he did have one last year, he had to have 2 nebulizer treatments to get over everything so I can definitely tell when it's URI and when it's just regular Fred stuff. I hope this works. 

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post #4 of 9
1/20/12 at 7:59pm
I hope the Lysine works for you kitty too hugs.gif. Sounds like the Herpes virus and since Perla has been dealing with that I have learned a lot more about it. It does show itself mostly with the eyes. Any where from a watery eye to complete conjunctivitis and terrible ulcers in the worst cases. It is a chronic condition and cannot be cured, unfortunately. The flare- ups will come about in times of any stress, anything stressful at all. If the cat has a compromised immune system, then the flare-ups can be continual. I would absolutely do 1000 mg. per day divided into two doses. Once improved - go to 500 mg. divided into two doses for another week or two - if eye is normal - go to the maintenance dose of 250 mg. per day or better yet stop it all together until the next flare-up. vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif
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post #5 of 9
1/20/12 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 

Feralvr - is the virus progressive?  He currently just hasa runny left eye.  I clean it out every day and his right eye never waters.....will it progress to ulcers eventually?

 

I just finished the nighttime feeding and cleaned Fred's eye.  There wasn't near the black gunk that is normally there and the eye was actually fairly dry. I will be beyond happy if this does the trick. He's such an awesome kitty, I just hate seeing his eye so funky. 

 

Thanks so much for the information. Both of you ladies are always so helpful!

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post #6 of 9
1/21/12 at 9:33am
That's an interesting question. Definitely, in some cases, the virus is progressive and does a lot of damage if untreated. I'm guessing it has to do with how strong any given cat's immune system is.

Some of us rescued cats with VERY bad infections.

This was Flowerbelle in 2003:

354

We fought for seven months to save that eye, but in the end had to have it removed. But she was a kitten, so her immune system hadn't built up at all.

Her vet said the virus is always there, and we'll probably have to manage flare-ups her entire life. She hasn't had ONE single flare-up. No runny eye, no sneezing, no runny nose - nothing (knock wood). She probably lost her hearing from it (given she can hear SOME frequencies and isn't completely deaf, she probably wasn't born deaf) and she definitely lost her eye to it. He said it would slowly eat away at her turbinates (the spongy bones in your sinuses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_concha)... though what that implied or would mean for her, I don't know. It doesn't appear to be happening (she's 8.5 years old now).

Now - she does apparently have chronic bronchitis. Whether that's related or not - I don't know. It's in the process of being diagnosed now.

Given he doesn't do well on the L-lysine, I guess find the dose he can tolerate, and slowly try to increase it?
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post #7 of 9
1/21/12 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 

That picture of Flowerbelle is heartbreaking. She looks so uncomfortable and sad. I'm so glad she found you!

 

I hope getting Fred on the Lysine will help prevent it from getting worse. It would break my heart to see him in so much pain. 

 

His eye is looking really good tonight. Unfortunately, he didn't eat all his food tonight because he ninja'd Riley's food while I was folding laundry so he was halfway full when I finally got his ready. Punk. 

 

 

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post #8 of 9
1/22/12 at 10:50am
laughing02.gif They're good at that, aren't they? Always the challenge! vibes.gif

Actually, I can see that now that you say that (about Flowerbelle). Actually, it didn't seem to bother her at all. She didn't let it slow her down any - she was playing with Shelly, who was attack the "moving" bag. She was wondering where he went. laughing02.gif But she started purring the moment she came home from the hospital after being rescued (it took her three weeks of fixing up, feeding tube, etc). The ONLY time she didn't purr for about two years was when she was asleep. To this day, she purrs while eating. biggrin.gif

But Fred's not a baby, right? So I very much doubt his would progress to anything like that. nono.gif
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post #9 of 9
1/22/12 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RAFM View Post

Feralvr - is the virus progressive?  He currently just hasa runny left eye.  I clean it out every day and his right eye never waters.....will it progress to ulcers eventually?

I just finished the nighttime feeding and cleaned Fred's eye.  There wasn't near the black gunk that is normally there and the eye was actually fairly dry. I will be beyond happy if this does the trick. He's such an awesome kitty, I just hate seeing his eye so funky. 

Thanks so much for the information. Both of you ladies are always so helpful!

From what I have read - unfortunately - the virus has no cure. And as Laurie says (side bar laughing02.gif AWWWWW I LOVE FLOWERBELLE heartpump.gif) - it really depends on their immune system and if they can keep the virus at bay - keep it "sleeping". Try to keep the stress down and not expose Fred to other cats outside of the resident kitties that you have. I am sad - because - I will no longer foster anymore cats sniffle.gif I just can't take the chance. I have had nothing but problems since I rescued Walden and Wendall. I really think they are carriers and Wendall was sick in October. Perla got sick after that. Pipsqueak also has a compromised immune system and has to be closely monitored. So I just can't take in any more foster's....... frown.gif. I even worry about volunteering at the shelter now - for fear of bringing home germs. I practically strip down in the garage and spray myself with Lysol flail.gif

Anyway - Perla's eye is still not normal shame.gif better but not good. It has been two months now. My next option it a Holistic vet and homeopathics. It has worked wonder's for my older dog, Wilbur. So we will see. Perla is still getting 1000 mg. of Lysine divided into two 500 mg. doses. I just bumped her up to that dosage about ten days ago and I really do believe it has helped her eye. agree.gif More vibes for FRED !!! rub.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif
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