Feline herpes nose lesion

kino2

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Hi everyone, I have never joined a chat forum of any kind and have been a nurse for over 30 years but need help.Adopted 2 kittens from animal shelter 2 yrs ago. One has been diagnosed with feline herpes in January after being treated with steroid for upper respiratory infection. This then caused eye lesions.Was treated with a antiviral and neomycin poly B for eyes and lysine 500 mg chew 2 times daily. No improvement and oral med was changed to famciclovir 125 mg 2 times daily. No improvement. Sent to eye specialist and Idoxuridine eye drops were ordered continued on famciclovir. Little improvement and Interferon eye drops were added.Started to develope small lesion on nose. Eyes lesions did improve but nose lesion increased in size. Sent to animal dermatology biopsy done on nose. Inconclusive perhaps because of being on famciclovir for so long. Found mouth lesions mostly on tongue. Famciclovir increased to 3 times daily and muricin ointment applied to nose daily. 2 wks later no improvement. Ointment changed to Synotic drops daily, 3 wks later lesion bigger. Tongue lesions better. Famciclovir stopped and Imiquimoid cream started last Wednesday to be applied 3 times weekly. 4 doses now. Lt eye started to have thick drainage last 3 days. Squinting again. called dermatologist and famciclovir started back up today. Lysine continues.This has been going on for 6 months. Other cat had cold symptoms as well as another older cat but they cleared up on their own without problems. Not sure where to go if this cream does not work. Would appreciate any suggestIons from those out there with kitties who have feline herpes and especially skin lesions. Through all of this my Lloyd has been loving and mostly easy to attend to. Want so much to help him.
 

stephanietx

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Is he on Lysine?  What are you feeding?  Lysine is great for herpes kitties and they really need to be on a grain-free diet.  There is an ingredient in the grain that seems to perpetuate the herpes virus.  Lysine helps to break that cycle and help the immune system.  You might want to join the Feline Herpes Yahoo! group.  Lots of great help there.  http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/felineherpes/?yguid=353539644
 

Evening Primrose Oil might help with the ulcers and lesions.  Get some pure EPO (I order mine online) and give 1/8 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon once daily. 
 
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kino2

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He eats mostly Wellness grain free or prescription diet Z/D wet and dry prescription diet I/d or z/d I have not tried the evening primrose oil. the older male does have food allergy after many months of diarrhea and a bowel biopsy to find out. The older male gets Atopica 2-3times a week.No more diarrhea. Lloyd has always had a good appetite but looks better now as when then eye lesions healed he became more active again playing with his buddy Walter. He continue to take Lysine. I will try the EPO and thank you so for your reply. It helps knowing there are others out there. Can u say where on line you get the EPO?. Thanks again
 

stephanietx

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This is the brand we buy, but I shop around to get the best price.  NOW brand is also a good one to use, but I like this one because it has the dropper.  I give 10-12 drops of EPO.

 

There is also a product called Eye See Clearly that you might want to try.  I know several people who have kitties with eye lesions, eye ulcers, and other eye problems (all herpes kitties) and they have had success. 

http://www.allergicpet.com/products/eye_see_clearly.html
 
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kino2

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Is he on Lysine?  What are you feeding?  Lysine is great for herpes kitties and they really need to be on a grain-free diet.  There is an ingredient in the grain that seems to perpetuate the herpes virus.  Lysine helps to break that cycle and help the immune system.  You might want to join the Feline Herpes Yahoo! group.  Lots of great help there.  http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/felineherpes/?yguid=353539644

 

Evening Primrose Oil might help with the ulcers and lesions.  Get some pure EPO (I order mine online) and give 1/8 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon once daily. 
 
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kino2

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Stephanie, Received the eye see clearly. Can you tell me if liquid is suppose to be tan in color not clear? Thanks Sharon
 

mrsgreenjeens

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In case Stephanie is not readily available, is there not an 800 number on the packaging that you can call?  I would try that!
 

mservant

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Hi kino2. I just saw your thread and caught my eye as Mouse has FHV 1 too. He's now 2 1/2.  I joined the site a few weeks ago when he was first diagnosed and had been prescribed Famciclovir.  I was looking for any information I could get on managing the condition as it was totally new to me.  

Mouse hasn't had any nasal lesions to date but does sneeze and cough so I need to keep vigilant.  He had most issues with his mouth to start with (very poorly from 9 to 16 months) and then over the last 18 months his eyes. So sad that Lloyd has had such a hard time with his health - I do hope he picks up.   I am very interested in how long your vet has had Lloyd on the Famciclovir for as from the on line veterinarian information I looked at it seemed to be used for first episode primarily and then not usually long term. My own vets gave an initial 2 week prescription and are not keen to give further doses unless Mouse has a severe outbreak as the drug is so powerful.  From the sound of it Lloyd has had a much harder time than Mouse as he has responded well to most of the treatments and oral management used. I don;t know about you but I would feel quite uncomfortable with long term use of the strong drugs Lloyd now seems to be on long term. I know I am looking at using the L Lysine you are already giving, plus  the immune system boosting and  improved higher protein/low grain diets that stephanietx has mentioned.  

Like you I've never joined any kind of forum before but this site just seemed invaluable - I haven't looked at the Yahoo group yet but am finding stephanietx and other people here really knowledgeable and supportive.  I will keep note of the EPO info' in case Mouse does get any ulcers or lesions - stephanietx - can this be used for both nasal and mouth lesions or just nasal?
 
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kino2

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Hi MServant
Lloyd had a biopsy about a month ago that did not tell us for sure if the lesion was caused by herpes or eosinophilic granuloma so sent one of last Thursday to a university to further test. Lloyd has gone beyond the grain free to the allergy type zd diet and may have to go to rabbit b4 it's over. changed his creams also for nose on Saturday. Lloyd has been on famciclovir most of the time since January now. Is off for over a wk now eyes clear tongue clear but nasal lesion still present. Have not seen side effects yet from famciclovir long term. He goes back to Dermatologist on Thursday. He does not seem to be in pain from nose which is good as nuzzles a lot on my face so I am proof the virus does not cross species. Lol anyway thanks for your reply. I too did not have any idea this disease was so common. His coat is a shiny black and he is to heavy but can't bring myself to put on diet yet. If you didn't see nose you would have no idea. Will keep you posted
 

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I've not personally used this product, so I don't know what color it's supposed to be.  You can call them on Monday and ask, I'm sure.
 
 

stephanietx

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Like you I've never joined any kind of forum before but this site just seemed invaluable - I haven't looked at the Yahoo group yet but am finding stephanietx and other people here really knowledgeable and supportive.  I will keep note of the EPO info' in case Mouse does get any ulcers or lesions - stephanietx - can this be used for both nasal and mouth lesions or just nasal?
You can use it for both, but you give it mixed into their wet food, don't apply it directly.  The EPO is an anti-inflammatory which helps with any kind of swelling in the body (nasal passages irritated by allergens or the rodent ulcers).  Humans use it to help with inflammation.
 
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kino2

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Thanks Stephaniex
I have ordered the EPO too but not received yet.
 

mservant

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Hi MServant
Lloyd had a biopsy about a month ago that did not tell us for sure if the lesion was caused by herpes or eosinophilic granuloma so sent one of last Thursday to a university to further test. Lloyd has gone beyond the grain free to the allergy type zd diet and may have to go to rabbit b4 it's over. changed his creams also for nose on Saturday. Lloyd has been on famciclovir most of the time since January now. Is off for over a wk now eyes clear tongue clear but nasal lesion still present. Have not seen side effects yet from famciclovir long term. He goes back to Dermatologist on Thursday. He does not seem to be in pain from nose which is good as nuzzles a lot on my face so I am proof the virus does not cross species. Lol anyway thanks for your reply. I too did not have any idea this disease was so common. His coat is a shiny black and he is to heavy but can't bring myself to put on diet yet. If you didn't see nose you would have no idea. Will keep you posted
All the best for the biopsy result.  I know what a state Mouse's mouth was and that was bad enough.  I too am proof of not crossing species - loads of hugs n kisses in this household  no matter how runny his eyes were or how sore his mouth was.  They need lots of pampers when they're sick.  I'm with you on the diet thing, main thing is getting him well first, and it's great that he's got a lovely shiny coat:).
You can use it for both, but you give it mixed into their wet food, don't apply it directly.  The EPO is an anti-inflammatory which helps with any kind of swelling in the body (nasal passages irritated by allergens or the rodent ulcers).  Humans use it to help with inflammation.
Thanks, I'm just about to try and reintroduce some high protein wet food following checking for advice on this site over the last couple of days. If he takes to that it I'll try adding EPO to see if it helps with the coughs and sneezes, and keep in mind for any other developments.
 
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kino2

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Lloyd went back to Dermatology today part of biopsy came back on nose lesion showed herpes other test not back yet. Feel very frustrated. This is the only dermatologist in my state. Nose lesion larger and lesions back on tongue. He does not know for sure how to treat and he is leaving for another state. Replacement will be coming from another state but don't know how often she will be in. Only advise this specialist could give was continue on l-lysine start the Synotic drops again. Continue the silvadene cream. And wait for results again. He scraped it again and it was clear of bacteria. Said we might try a higher dose of famciclovir. He was on 125 mg 3 times a day. Said it would be 250 mg 3 times a day or inject with steroids or inject with interferon. I'm a nurse and feel we still have not come very far to help our animal companions. any thoughts out there?
 

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If he has herpes, you really want to avoid steroids if at all possible.  Steroids suppress the immune system and since his immune system is already compromised because of the herpes, you don't want to suppress it even more.  This makes him more vulnerable to illnesses.  Have you tried the EPO drops yet?  That might help with the swelling of the ulcers and lesions.  Also, have you added lysine and are you feeding a grain-free diet?  The grain-free diet will really help as will the lysine.  The lysine keeps the arginine in the grain in most foods from replicating the herpes virus.  Lastly, I would recommend that you join the Feline Herpes Yahoo! group.  They have a lot of experience with ulcers in that group and you'll find a lot of help.  http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/felineherpes/
 
 
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kino2

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Yes he gets L-lysine 250 mg 2 times a day and I started the EPO a week ago. The vet really got upset when I mentioned the grain free over the Zd diet and said it was the type of proteins. I agree about steroids as I feel they were the start of his problems in the first place. Is it best to give the EPO 10-12 drops in divided doses with food or 1 time a day? I will try the increased dose of famciclovir over the steroid. I am pretty sure it has been herpes all along rather than granuloma or food allergy but don't know for sure.
 

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Bump the lysine up to 500mg twice a day.  Unfortunately, most vets don't know much about nutrition and subscribe to dishing out SD like it's candy.  Why was he getting the zd?  I give mine 10-12 drops all at one time once a day.
 
 
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kino2

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He was getting the Zd because he kept talking about how it could be the granuloma and allergies I kept saying with lesions on the tongue? I also kept saying he was tested before from our primary vet after horrible upper resp infection made worse with steroid. he was referred to us by the eye specialist who treated him for herpes eye lesions. My husband is great he has been the one to take vacation time to take off work and take Lloyd the 60 miles to see specialist. I am unable in my job so have to talk to vet on my. Break or. E-mail. I'm thinking of calling the humane society where we got him to see if they know of a Dr who has had more experience with feline herpes.,I'm hoping the new dermatologist has worked with feline herpes. I will give all at 1time(EPO) as gave in divided doses. Thanks for your replies
 
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kino2

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I will also bump up Lysine
 

stephanietx

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Most vets don't really know much about herpes and only treat symptoms.  Most of what I've learned about herpes, I've learned on this board and the Yahoo group.
 
 
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