Cause of excessive eye discharge?

For maybe six months now, Astrid's had a mild eye discharge problem. The discharge isn't green or thick like the kind you see with upper respiratory infections. It's liquid and transparent brown. It shows up once or twice a day, always from the same eye. It doesn't seem to bother her, but I'm wondering why it happens. Environmental allergies, maybe?

Has she been tested or evaluated for Feline Herpes?  That sounds what it looks like when Silly or Julie have a FHV flare-up. You might want to start giving her L-Lysine.

No, she hasn't. She's due for her shots very soon, so I can ask about it then. I take L-Lysine myself - can I safely give her human Lysine, and if so, what's the dosage? I'm using Sundown Naturals right now, 500mg caplets. http://www.sundownnaturals.com/amino-acids/045123

It's very possible it's just airborne allergens.  As long as it's clear you're okay. If the discharge changes to green or yellow, then she's got an infection.  You can give her half of a tablet twice a day.  Just crush between two spoons, add to wet food with a bit of water to help it dissolve, and she should be fine.  For the lysine to work, it needs to stay in the system.  Since it's an amino acid, it's secreted out of the body via urination, so that's why you do the dose twice a day.  If the tearing gets worse, then up it to 1000 mg a day (500 mg twice daily).

Okay, sounds good. I can start tomorrow. How soon should I expect to see results?

LilGreenAstrid said:

Okay, sounds good. I can start tomorrow. How soon should I expect to see results?

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The results will take several days to weeks.  I don't really remember how long it took mine to show.  If you have trouble crushing the pills between two spoons, there is a rotary pill crusher, usually available in the pharmacy section of walmart or similar stores.  I think about 4 dollars.  Most human l-lysine has cellulose in it.  They sell stuff just for cats at major pet supply stores, though.  I use the stuff I can get at walmart - about 4 dollars for 250 tablets, 500mg each.  I'm gonna get bombed for admitting that, I suppose.

Yes, it does take awhile for you to see results.  Some people see results in as little as two weeks, but others take about a month.
 

I think right now the human L-Lysine is all I can afford. I just lost my full-time job. The powder and chews do sound more convenient for rushed mornings, but I've been squashing the tablets well enough. She's picky about her wet food, so I wasn't sure if she'd go for it, but she glommed it all up like nothing was different.   If I don't see an improvement, I'll ask the vet when she gets her shots. Thanks for the help, guys!

Some of us use the Now Lysine. It is very, very reasonable and for one cat this would last your a long time. It is well received by all cats when mixed into wet food. Perla takes it almost daily. Wendall just started with weepy eyes but has asthma and now I am thinking allergies too. Put him on Lysine - all clear within two days. for your kitty.

That does look like a good deal. I may have to order it. Thanks!

Is it acceptable to mix the powdered caplet with her food 24 hours in advance? I'm going to be gone overnight and would like to have everything ready for whichever family member I saddle with her care.

I think it should be okay. I don't think it deteriorates that quickly.

Great, that's very helpful, thanks. If I asked my family to add the powder, they'd remind me all over again that THEIR cat does just fine with 9 Lives dry food and no supplements, then give me another lecture on responsible spending...   #needstomoveout

I ordered the Now Lysine when I ran out of caplets. I'm giving some of the powder to a friend who wants to try it for her cat's allergies too. No major changes yet, so if I don't see a bigger reduction in another week or so, I'll try the double dose.

I have some in my Amazon cart, ready to order on payday.  It works out to 2 cents a dose, instead of 1 cent for the tablets I can buy here in town. But I think it has less cellulose in it.

It has zero cellulose, though really a bit of cellulose doesn't bother me that much. For me, the biggest reason to buy it was convenience.

LilGreenAstrid said:

It has zero cellulose, though really a bit of cellulose doesn't bother me that much. For me, the biggest reason to buy it was convenience.

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I just got my bottle, and I see what you mean. I will keep buying it as long as they keep stocking it. No more crushing pills, just measure and sprinkle.

It will also dissolve if you add a bit of water to the wet food mixture.  Works great!