L-lysine question

My cat Stella has herpes... she was disfigured from it in her eye as a kitten ( shes 5 yrs. old now). Her one eye sometimes gets extra cloudy and she gets eye boogers when really stress. I have taken her to a eye specialist who has told me she has never had a full blown flare ups yet, but put her on L-lysine to help heal hers eyes, prevent any flare ups from happening and to prevent any respiratory infections. My question is with a new kitten in the house, can I give her the supplement also even though she does not have the virus as a preventative measure? Would it even help her in anyway or should I just stick to giving it to Stella only?

Hi.  I too have a herpes cat, as do many others on this site.  I joined this site for support and information, and started to give my boy L Lysine as a result.  I definitely feel it has made a big difference for him.  There are varied opinions on whether to give L Lysine to kittens and cats who do not have the virus and firstly I suggest reading around the site to get a broad picture of this before making a decision.  I do suspect you may already have done some of this before joining and posting your question.

It is important to know the health of any cat or kitten not examined by your vet and prescribed the L Lysine, mostly because it puts extra strain on some of the cat's organs like the kidney and liver.  From what I looked at before starting Mouse on the L Lysine I discussed with my vet the pros and cons on possible liver damage if used long term, esp. if at large doses like 1000mg daily versus damage from the herpes itself.  With herpes it is easier to say your cat is likely to have better health and quality of life with the L Lysine and the potential risks being worth it.  If a cat or kitten is healthy the decision is different and the views more diverse. For me I would prefer to look at probiotics to strengthen a healthy kitten or cat's general health and immune system than give L Lysine that places certain strains on the body and primarily blocks the herpes virus. 

Are you planning to add the L Lysine to your cat food and your cat and kitten having shared access to it, or to give separately as powder, treat, or gel?   If you do give in shared food the dose will be varied and not necessarily appropriate, particularly for your kitten. Your kitten will be more vulnerable and their small body under more strain if given too much L Lysine.

I tried tablets and powder with Mouse but he hated them, he has been better with the gel and will lick it off his toothbrush before his toothpaste.   It's easy to adjust the dose depending on whether he is well or any signs of a runny eye too, no splitting or doubling up tablets.

I hope you get a variety of opinions and information here, and I am sure you will make best use of this to support both of your cats.

I give it to Stella in a powdered form mixed with her wet food but they both eat on a schedule (no free feeding) and eat separately, so I know for sure there is no sharing. I have not given it to my kitten yet, and I have decided against it. I like your idea of probiotics and I'm going to do some research on that. Nyx went for her first vet visit today since leaving the shelter and had to go to an assigned vet. He told me she had all her boosters and they include herpes vaccine in the mix. I am leery of this though because they have no documention with any proof. I think at the beginning of the year, I will make an appointment for a consultation with Stella's eye specialist (she has been referred here from her primary vet for treatment with her herpes) and get more information from her. Also will be making a appt. with our regular primary vet to get his second opinion to make sure Nyx was treated as stated by her previous vet at the shelter.

Good luck with your two. I hope Nyx is clear of the virus and that both manage to stay well.  Being in a calm, loving home with good nutrition, and L Lysine and other nutrional supliments cats with FHV seem to have a much better chance of staying on top of the virus and avoiding some of the painful ulcers, tissue damage and nasty secondary infections.  

From what I understand (from my vet when Mouse was diagnosed and from later reading), a very high % of the cat population carry the feline herpes virus but it usually only presents symptoms where cats have a lowered immune system - either due to other illnesses, or genetic reasons, and often coming out during periods of stress.  

A cat can have been in contact with and contracted the virus from birth and if carrying FHV1 before vaccination they would still carry and be susceptible. Just because a cat has been vaccinated does not mean a cat is not a carrier or will not show symptoms in future.  It can be tested for, (my vet did not think the test was 100% reliable),, although not necessary for diagnosis:  Mouse was diagnosed after about 1 year of oral problems and then runny eyes with ulcers observed. The testing seems to be done more regularly in the US.  I'm wondering if the testing would be of more use than seeking the vaccination details for your kitten? I have to say I would want the vaccination records for my cats anyway:  it is standard here in the UK for all vaccinated cat 'owners' to be provided with a certificate of what they have been vaccinated against plus the dates and the batches of vaccine.

We use 1000mg tablets powdered with a mortar and pestle. The powder is mixed in wet cat food and doled out twice a day.

I am targeting around 1000mg a day to see if there is any result. My plan is to taper down to a maintenance level if it appears to work. My partners think Dommie's nose is less crusty. I am not sure.

I am treating all 3 cats though only Domino is displaying. Pippin and Domino sleep together and bathe each other. Lilly is less personal, but she plays with them and shares toys. The boys will eat anything with gusto and haven't been bothered by the addition. Lilly is a picky one and only likes fish based wet food, the stinkier the better. Even then she is notional, so she is harder to dose.

I have 2 kitties on Lysine as a preventative measure, I think it really helps as I haven't had a flare up in a few years.