coping with FRV

I adopted two 5 month old tabby sister from petsmart in february. They were from a litter of 5 rescued from a hoarding situation. Kittens were thin but healthy. bur when i  asked them why they had runny noses and eyes she insisted it was from the litter dust...I was reluctant but adopted them anyway. after a week home i brought them to my vet who told me they have FRV? Three rounds of clavamox and eye drops, lycine treats daily and the symtoms only stay away for a week.  I cant afford to spend $200 a month on vet bills! I am trying my best. Do I keep them? Will it get any better as they get older. Long term costs$$$. If anyone has experience with this please let me know.

FRV mom said:

i brought them to my vet who told me they have FRV?

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Hi FRV mom! Welcome to TCS!

Before we go anywhere with this, would you phone the Vet clinic and ask exactly what that diagnosis was (you had said FRV)*....get them to spell it out for you. And, ask them if any tests have been run, which and what were the/any results.

Can you tell us if the kits have been vaccinated? Which vaccines were given? (maybe make that part of your inquiry to the Vet)

Is this a cat-only clinic?

* Here's why: I've never heard of FRV......I'm thinking that it may have been FVR - that standing for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis. We need to start off something we all understand!

With more detailed info, there will be lots of recommendations for you.

I googled FRV after reading this post and it apparently can be called FRV or FVR.  It seems to be another name for the herpes virus??

FRV is feline rhinovirus?? 

Since they've had 3 rounds of clavamox, I'd ask for a culture and sensitivity test.  The culture will tell you exactly what type of virus they have (viral or bacterial) and which antibiotic will most effectively treat it.  This is what we had to do with Hannah when she was sick for 8 mos several years ago.

Then, they most likely both have been exposed to the herpes virus and have that as well.  Continue giving them Lysine, but get the tablets from the health food section at Wal-Mart (or wherever you shop).  Grind the tablet between two spoons and add to wet food.  Add a bit of water and mix well.  The tablet pieces should dissolve and the kitties not notice it in their food.  Give them 500mg twice a day.  Also, consider switching to a grain-free food diet for them as that might also  help them a bunch.  Lastly, get a Feliway diffuser (they're expensive) and run it 24/7 for a few months to help them not to be so stressed.  Stress just aggravates everything.
 

I need some advice as well.  I currently have a 7yr old that had a really bad upper respiratory infection when we first got her 5 1/2 yrs ago.  We just added a 7 wk old kitten to our family.  However, his brother (who was being fostered by the same owner), got a runny nose last week and was sneezing - he was given antibiotics.  We were very reluctant to add to the family, since our 7 yr old was so sick in the beginning.  Anyways, the kitten went to the vet the next day after the brother was given antibiotics and showed no signs of anything.  Fast forward one day, and the sneezing began.  He's been on antibiotics for 5 days and has been completely separated from our 7 yr old.  When will the sneezing stop?  I am afraid to let him meet our other cat until the sneezing stops, but that could be weeks?  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you!