Should I give my kitten L-Lysine? How much?

mycatsmom

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My Sammy came from the shelter at age six month old with clavamox and L-Lysine gel.  After his upper respiratory infection cleared up, I noticed that he was getting goopy eyes (green goo), so the vet gave me antibiotic eye drops.  Every time I'd stop the eye drops, he'd get green goopy again.  I started him on the L-Lysine treats (the ones made with liver and shaped like a fish) twice a day, and he hasn't had goopy eye or a sneeze since.  These treats are about eight bucks a bag and most kitties like them.  I break one in half and give it to him at mealtime with his wet food and kibble.
 
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scdmom

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I know it's been almost a year.  Did your kitten recover?  My cat (10 lbs) has just been diagnosed with Herpes.  I just started giving her L-Lysine today. (250 mgs.)  Drops are supposed to arrive by FedEx tomorrow.  I am reading all these posts, but would love to hear how you made out.

Thank you,

Peggy
 

kollannia

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My hal has the same thing, I was told not five, flv, herpes, etch., it is an infection in sinus's. He goes on the anti's and gets better. We also use saline mist in @his nose. Should have kitty checked for sinusitis. Snot, sneezing, mucous, watery eyes, this is the 3rd kitty I have had, that is like that.  but that is what we deal with. Anti's several times a year, mainly in fall -beginning of spring. Try saline mist, get the one just saline mist for infants &babies..........K
 

crafteez

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I researched and researched and researched some more!  Found out about L-lysine on my own.. not sure why vets do not tell us about supplements.  I have been giving 2 adult cats and our kitten L-lysine in human form crushed and mixed in highly palatable food and signs have diminished.

Older adult still has quite a sneeze.. but just like humans, that can last a long time.  The younger adult, I was REALLY worried.  He wouldn't even eat or drink at all.  My approach moving forward.. research as much as possible.  Ask your vet as many questions as humanly possible. MAKE THEM SPEND TIME with you and your "

When all else fails I offer comfort, a stable calm safe environment, liquids (make tuna water if I need to.. that's all he would drink for 4 days), offer pate style food on my finger to encourage food intake.  Please use a different warm cotton ball  to wipe each eye and nose.  I AM NOT A VET>  SERIOUS CONDITIONS REQUIRE A VET VISIT!  

I give the adult cats 250mg L-lysine twice daily and our kitten 1/3 of a crushed tablet twice daily.  This amount is making a difference.  I have read I can give more, however at this time "my gut" isn't comfortable with that.  I am still trying to figure out for how long.. so if anyone has a definite answer on how long I can give this to my babies for, please share.  Make sure the L-lysine DOES NOT CONTAIN  propylene glycol!   I have read this can cause anemia in felines.  I have been using Spring Valley 500mg. (Again, I am not a vet.. just a life time owner of lovable furry friends)

My adult cats were diagnosed with herpes virus as kittens, they are now almost 9 yrs old.  They have been quite healthy up until the stressful situation of meeting their new sister.  Also, I would like you to know I had taken the adults to two different vets.. neither did much and in my opinion did not seem to want to be bothered.. I told one vet I had $250 to spend today, my bill came to $254.. I'm just saying.

Also, I just purchased a cool air humidifier that I have been running with the master bedroom door closed.. that seemed to assist in getting the "yucky" out of their noses.. Warm vapors may work better but I was nervous about safety regarding that. Felines are quite curious by nature.. sometimes even when they are ill.  Wishing all your babies a speedy recovery and years full of happy moments! 
 

s-kitty

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I found it on Amazon.ca. 

Now L-Lysine 100% Pure Powder 1 lbs

Price:CDN$ 15.78  
 

kcjm

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I was at 1st using the L-Lysine cat treats but they were as hard as a Jerky. My kitten would NOT touch them. So I was disolving them and Syringe feeding them however I was worried about the integrity of the medication and syringe feeding the cat twice a day was NOT an easy job. I was at the Pharmacy filling a prescription when I thought "Hey they should have some" I got 60  500mg Tablets for $10. The powder is in a capsule so the only measuring is splitting it in half on top of some Tuna. 
 

kittens mom

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Thanks guys. I spoke with the vet this morning and they prescribed her a lysine gel. It is ridiculously expensive (over $50), so in the future I will just buy the pills. They also prescribed once/day application which is definitely wrong, so from now on I will be dealing with my cat's health myself instead of trusting these guys at all, unless I need antibiotics or something else that I can't get myself.
I get it for a lot less through Drs Foster And Smith or even Amazon for the cat specific L-lysine. I have nothing bad to say about anyone who uses L-lysine from the human supplement aisle. Its my personal choice to use only products specific to cats. Plus when needed the get melts in the mouth. No spitting and no pill grinding.
 

StefanZ

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Thanks guys. I spoke with the vet this morning and they prescribed her a lysine gel. It is ridiculously expensive (over $50), so in the future I will just buy the pills. They also prescribed once/day application which is definitely wrong, so from now on I will be dealing with my cat's health myself instead of trusting these guys at all, unless I need antibiotics or something else that I can't get myself.
The idea was prob, the gel makes the absorption slower, and thus, it could be enough with once a day, coming evenly into the blood stream during the whole day.

But using crushed up pills, they absorb much quicker, and thus, necessary with twice a day.  (hey, idea  possibly even four time a day is optimal)
 

misterwhiskers

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Have you asked about famciclovir? It's actually cheaper than the lysine, and it really knocked the herpes virus down fast in my cat. Lysine didn't touch it.

It's prescription only; cheapest at Walmart.
 
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who3rescued3who

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I have a new kitten and she is about 9-10 weeks old. Same symptoms, sneezing some (not alot)clear fluid from her eyes. I have some of the pasty l-lysine here from my other cat, we got it from the vet...is it safe to give to a kitten that young? how much?how often? Thanks [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 

di and bob

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L=lysine builds up the immune system and is very safe to give. Before you do, I would definitely call your vet and ask over the phone how much to give that young of a kitten, or get on the internet and research it. The symptoms you describe are VERY common in young kittens, most of the kittens I have raised have come down with that herpes virus sometime in their early lives. It is a virus, but can turn into something bacterial, like pneumonia, or eye infection, so monitor and be ready to give an antibiotic if needed. It can take weeks for them to recover so plenty of water and a warm place to go to, as long as she is eating that is a good sign. All the luck!
 

white shadow

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L=lysine builds up the immune system...........
Sorry, but......NOPE !

Lysine does nothing for the immune system....nada.

Have a read: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/lysine

What Lysine does to 'fight' a herpes virus outbreak is described here in that reference (under "Uses"):
 Lysine has antiviral effects by blocking the activity of arginine, which promotes HSV (Herpes Virus) replication.
The Herpes virus needs arginine (another amino acid, btw) to replicate/survive/thrive.....without it, no replication occurs and the 'outbreak' dissipates sooner.

Now, ....as for
I have a new kitten and she is about 9-10 weeks old.....I have some of the pasty l-lysine...is it safe to give to a kitten that young? how much?how often?
The Duralactin[emoji]174[/emoji] Feline L-Lysine Paste website has this:
 Kittens may be given 1.25 ml (1/2 notch) twice a day.

http://www.duralactin.com/feline-products/
That's the equivalent of 125mg twice a day.

And, if you'd like to know more about 'Cat Flu' - and, other things you can do (like 'steaming'), that's here: http://harpsie.com/cat_flu.htm
 

clinkerspud

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I've been told that L-Lysine will not hurt your kitten, you can buy treats with L- lysine in them easy to give kitty and get from any pet store. cost you a lot more money if you go to a drug store. I got my kitten from Humane society as well and before I could bring him home they put him on antibiotics as when nuderd he got that respiratory virus so lucky for me he was ok . I took him to my vets who said if he starts to sneeze and cough to give him the treats and if it did not get better or got worse to take him in and they would then have to treat him.

My suggestion would be to get the treats and try them also that kittens?cats enjoy the treats so no fuss getting them to take it.

All cats are different so this is only what I would do.and you never know it could be something else.

If unsure or any concerns the safest and best thing to do is take to your Vets.
 

clinkerspud

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I should elaborate on my last reply

The L-Lysine treats are basicly a vitamin 60 per bottle 250 mg per tablet.you can give one or two per day

and can give regularly if you like.it is called Head and tail and Pet Value carries it.12.99 a bottle

if you prefer you can get the powder from your vets which you mixed with  food.

The one thing is if you get the tablets which are like giving them a treat from Pet Value and your

cat does not like them they will let you return them
 

candys

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Capsules are great, just open them up and sprinkle on the food.  If you have Vitamin Shoppe or GNC, they will sell the capsules, but try to get the pure L-Lysine and not one with fillers.  The one they sell for pets has lots of fillers and additives in it.  And cats hate the gel anyway.
 

who3rescued3who

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So, I we (Dinah)went to the vets. I had called and asked about the lysine and started her on it...the vet was very pleased. Her eyes are looking SO much BETTER already!
She has had a pill for worms [emoji]128541[/emoji] and a dose of revolution for fleas and mites![emoji]128568[/emoji][emoji]128573[/emoji][emoji]128571[/emoji]
Thank you everyone for your comments and help! I am so glad I joined this site! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 

jaw9845

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My vet prescribed l-lysine so I googled it and found a 2016 study stating that it's useless and can actually be harmful. Any feedback on that study?
 
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