Stubborn herpes infection? Add Lactoferrin in addition to Lysine

Thanks for the links, Red Top Rescue. I think it is excellent to have any and all information out there on treating herpetic eyes. This is what the specialist had my Perla on. Very expensive and helped immensely during a serious flare up two years ago. http://www.wedgewoodpetrx.com/learn...rse-owners/cidofovir-ophthalmic-for-cats.html I wonder if it has the same properties as the Ganciclovir - because I do remember her mentioning that as well - the Virgan.

Sorry about the Universal Drugstore link being a dead link.  I just copied that from a page I had pulled up to show the details on Zirgan = Virgan.  I actually ordered from CANADA DRUGS, and I have an account there.  They are NOT a dead link and I have been very pleased with their service, although I have not needed to renew the prescription for a couple of years, the cat and I are both free of corneal ulcers (and we both take lysine daily to keep the herpes virus dormant.)  Here is a LIVE link to Canada Drugs, where I got my Virgan.

https://www.canadadrugs.com/

I just did a review of theses enzymes:  http://www.thecatsite.com/products/trophy-prozyme-plus-powder-pet-supplement/reviews/4359

As I mentioned there, it's purely anecdotal but I'm convinced Molly is digesting the lacto. better because of the enzymes, and both she and Travis have gained a little bit of weight.  

Awesome!

Do you think it would help with FIP?  Found out recently the breeder I got my Ragdoll from has problems with FIP.  My vet said she hasn't had a cat from that breeder last more than 2 years and Kona is now 1 :*(

He is on L-Lysine for his eye gunkies and sneezes and I will definately order Lacto tomorrow.  We are trying to keep his immune system under control so the virus doesn't explode.  

I don't know. And I'm so sorry! How sad that person is still breeding.

You might want to try the Nutricology "laktoferrin." It combines lactoferrin and colostrum. I think that might be more beneficial for a kitten's immune system. There is research indicating bovine lactoferrin reduces the length of (and helps prevent?) the common cold, which is also the corona virus. So it may help!

IMHO, @beenaners, your vet only sees the kittens from that breeder who ARE sick, so it's probably not 100% of her cats that don't last beyond two years.  I think the lactoferrin would certainly help his immune system stay strong so no harm and maybe lots of good will come from using it.  The corona virus doesn't always mutate to a fatal form, but interestingly enough, often it happens after a period of stress, so the happier you keep your cat, the less likely he is to develop FIP even if he has the corona virus in his system.  Here is a quote from a very long, informative article written by a vet -- I will add the link to the entire article also.  It would probably be useful for you to know more about FIP since the breeder has a history of cats getting FIP. 

"Things that will protect your cat against FIP protect it against transmissible health threats of all kinds – not just coronavirus.

Do not board your cats when you are away. Have a sitter come and tend to them. That minimizes disease contact and the stresses that trigger disease. Any place with lots of cats is a good place to avoid.

When visits to the veterinary hospital are unavoidable, make it an in-and-out visit, with your cat securely in your own carrier while you wait. If you can, avoid over-nighting your cat at an animal hospital for any reason, unless the need truly outweighs the risks. Many veterinary hospitals have no overnight staff anyway; you can often return the pet for the procedures that are needed the following day. House call veterinarians are an ideal way to meet your cat’s routine, every-day needs.  ... Unhappy cats are stressed cats and we think that stressed cats defend themselves poorly against this virus."   ~ Ron Himes, DVM, PhD

http://www.2ndchance.info/fip.htm

I started adding the lactoferrin along with the lysine. To Zanes food. I really havent seen an improvement. How long should it take? Some days i think its clearing up. Then the next day its not.

LDG, thank you, I will definately order that brand.  I had some bovine colostrum in with my own supplements so I gave him some last night and again this morning.  I'll keep giving him that till I get the laktoferrin!  There is only one breeder for Ragdolls on the lower half of the island I live on so everyone goes to them.  They have it written into their contracts that they will replace the cat if it passes in the first 2 years from an infectious disease. I didn't realise when I read that that that was their way of covering their butts, I thought it was just normal contract info.  I was also unaware that he was going to come neutered, she told me the day I picked him up that he had been fixed 2 days earlier so there was an additional charge.  He had his shots and was neutered at the same time at only 71/2 weeks old.  I honestly think that has had something to do with his health problems, he was way too small to go through so much.  He has never been a healthy kitty 

"beenaners,  your vet only sees the kittens from that breeder who ARE sick, so it's probably not 100% of her cats that don't last beyond two years"

Red Top Rescue, I have never thought of it that way, I think that is the first hopeful piece of news I've been given in a long time!!!!  You just took a ton of stress off my shoulders with that comment!  

I have done lots of reading on FIP ( most of it is quite depressing) and we try our best to make sure Kona has as stressless an environment as possible.  Unfortunately he just had an overnighter at the animal hospital due to a high fever and vomiting and he is taking a few days to get over it.  I was beside myself the whole time, my first thought was that the virus had flared up but they found no signs of it in his blood work thank god.

I also ordered some homeopathic supplements from Australia specifically for the Corona Virus and Stress Balance.  They are drops I apply to his neck and it is way less stressful for him than administering anything orally   

It is a bit of a running joke that my mission in life is let Kona have as long and wonderful life as possible   

beenaners said:

It is a bit of a running joke that my mission in life is let Kona have as long and wonderful life as possible :rub:  

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Well, then, you are in VERY good company here on TCS. Most of us live our lives doing the same. :heart3: I wanted to give you some hope as well but wanted to point out how helpful Red Top Rescues post was and make sure you look over that link she posted !!! Very encouraging. A friend of mine has two FIP kitties and they are litter mates going on almost 9 years old with no problems at all. She keeps their life extremely stress free as much as she can because stress will suppress the immune system which could open the door for the disease to flourish. Keeping it at bay is the secret and I think any and all supplements that support a healthy immune system and a good diet will be great beneficial to your FIP kitty. And, how heartbreaking to have found this out about your breeder who knowingly is selling kittens from FIP adults AND to put that in the contract but not tell you face to face!!! A lot of people don't really read through contracts thoroughly enough. Let's just hope that your kitty will be just fine and never, ever show any adverse signs. Your doing a great job and Kona is one lucky kitty.

Just a quick update on rincess: Perla. Four months now on the Lactoferrin and STILL - her eye is doing very, very well. We had one mild set back last month for whatever reason and I had to give her the NEO/POLY/DEX drops for two days only and then I opted to stop because the conjunctiva was back to normal. This is really incredible for her to go FOUR MONTHS with only one very, very mild flare up. I have not had to do much to her eye in the mornings as far as clean up either. It appears to be getting better with time !!!!!!!!!! I have to say again, the addition of the Lactoferrin with the Lysine has done miracles for Perla's herpetic eye. Still mildly weepy, but will say it has diminished about 50%. Which is HUGE. :high5:

OH - better do this......... KNOCK WOOD........... :lol3: :cross:

Yep, KNOCK WOOD! Lauren, wonderful to hear. :bigthumb:

To make sure my boy Rocky gets his l-Lysine and any other meds he may be on (currently doxycycline for mycoplasma), I mix it into a tablespoon or so of human baby food. The Gerber version - all meat (a bit of corn starch mixed in). He's crazy for it, and it's also how I managed to tame up (somewhat) this street boy.

Try it with your kitty. The small amount of baby food actually seems to stimulate Rocky's appetite...

Synpi, my only suggestion would be to switch to Beech Nut baby food. No corn starch.

Will do. And I just ordered two bottles of lactoferrrin by Jarrow. They were on sale at vitacost.com - much cheaper than my local health food store. I hope it works. This eye infection has been no fun. And my Rocky is still gaining trust with me, so putting in eye drops has been a challenge.

I have also heard about Interferon - an antiviral topical... Vet prescribed. Have you had any experience with it?

I am not able to order online and was wondering if most health food stores carry the Lactoferrin? My feral cat colony has been dealing with runny eyes since May and I just can't get them to clear up. They do get L-lysine but doesn't seem to be working for us anymore. All my feral cats do have the herpes virus.

The best way to find out is to call around. The local health food store here carries it. I don't know if larger chains do or not.

The deal at Vitacost.com is wonderful: about $19 a bottle containing 60 caps at 250 mg. Can you get someone to order for you and pay them back? You can also go to public libraries and use the internet for free. I also think they take paypal in case you don't have access to a credit card. Shipping is free if you order a certain amount.  At my healthfood store, the same bottle costs $50!

Otherwise yes, call around and try vitamin stores as well. My healthfood store didn't carry it anymore but was willing to order for me.....

Poor babies in your colony. My Rocky has been dealing with a goopy eye for two weeks now. Can't wait to add lactoferrin in.

Great article.

My outdoor cat was in a fight a month ago. He is very sweet and let me pick him up and took him to the vet. All of his issues were treated and have healed except for his feline herpes. Now, he can't be around my other indoor cats since they all have there own issues, but none of them contagious.

 he is always sneezing with multi colored snot. Some days less than others but my vet said that was all they could do for him. So, when I read article, I had some hope. Where did you purchase yours? Thanks for posting this.