Eye problems help please

Hi Everybody,

I am new to this forum; found it accidently while doing my research on eye ulcers.

I‘ve already found a lot of good information; thank you very much for that.

Few month ago I brought home two little kittens. Both of them were sneezing and one kitten had a lot of rusty coloured eye discharges.

The vet said it was a “cat flu” and prescribed a Vibravet (Doxycycline) Paste.

It perfectly helped with sneezing; it gone completely. It helped with eye discharges as well.

However the kitten with discharges lately developed eye ulcers; one in each eye.

The vet sent swaps from kittens’ eyes to the laboratory; the result was negative - both kittens are apparently clean from bacterial and viral infections.

Yet the vet insists that the result was “false negative” and clinically my kittens may have a Feline Herpes.

He has prescribed Lysine and Famciclovir to the kitten with ulcers but I don’t feel very comfortable giving this drug to a little kitten without detected virus.

The post above made me look at my problem from a different angle.

I would appreciate if somebody, who experienced a similar problem, gives me an opinion.

Most eye ulcers are treated with eye drops such as idoxuride or something along those lines.  I think a second opinion is in order.

Eye infections can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It took 6 months of different drugs to finally find one that worked for my 6 month old kitten. Lysine is a supplement that helps boost the immune system, particularly in the case of herpes, so I would follow your vet's advice. But be prepared to have to try various other combinations of drugs and give it at least a week to see any improvement before you decide whether something is working.

stephanietx said:

 
Most eye ulcers are treated with eye drops such as idoxuride or something along those lines.  I think a second opinion is in order.

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Thank you Stephanietx,

We’ve already seen three different vets and they would prescribe the same set of medications: Chloramphenicol ointment, Doxycycline Paste and Meloxicam drops as an analgesic (when he had ulcers). 

JennyR said:

Eye infections can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It took 6 months of different drugs to finally find one that worked for my 6 month old kitten. Lysine is a supplement that helps boost the immune system, particularly in the case of herpes, so I would follow your vet's advice. But be prepared to have to try various other combinations of drugs and give it at least a week to see any improvement before you decide whether something is working.

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Thank you JennyR,

Both kittens started Lysine just 2 weeks ago; I was told that I should wait approximately 6 weeks before Lysine (hopefully) kicks in.

Also I was trying to give to the sick kitten Famciclovir as a compounding paste but he is spitting it out. No luck.  I decided to taste it myself and can’t blame him because it’s extremely bitter despite the very strong “grilled chicken flavour”. The same with tablets. Don’t know what to do because my options are very limited. Also after this experience I have problems giving him Lysine as well.

I don’t mind trying different drugs; just wish it would be easier.

Also I still don’t feel confident because the potential viral infection is not detected.

I just noticed you have been prescribed Meloxicam drops. This I would question, because that is Metacam and has been linked to death in cats. WE found doxycycline drops worked well.

Meloxicam is Metacam and that's a pain reliever.  I wouldn't use it at all due to the dangerous side effects it can have.  Many herpes kitty owners who have problems with eye ulcers use Idoxuridine drops with much success.

I would strongly recommend Clavamox liquid, Terramycin ointment and possibly Idoxuridine drops.

Not sure why the heck each vet chose the same ones as the next, none would be my choice.

I have rescued, cared for and treated literally hundreds like yours for the same symptoms, very successfully with the clavamox, terramycin ointment and Idox drops. Very successful.

The lysine is great but is not a cure, it is a supplemental additive to their normal ongoing lives to assist in keeping the symptoms at bay.

So you might see no changes with adding the lysine.

JennyR said:

I just noticed you have been prescribed Meloxicam drops. This I would question, because that is Metacam and has been linked to death in cats. WE found doxycycline drops worked well.

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Thank you JennyR,

Unfortunately nobody told me that Meloxicam can be dangerous.

Moreover I’ve been advised to keep it at home as the emergency pain reliever if the kitten has an ulcer again.

If not Meloxicam, what else I can keep at home as an analgesic? 

stephanietx said:

 
Meloxicam is Metacam and that's a pain reliever.  I wouldn't use it at all due to the dangerous side effects it can have.  Many herpes kitty owners who have problems with eye ulcers use Idoxuridine drops with much success.

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Thank you Stephanietx,

Nobody ever advised Idoxuridine drops to us.

I have to find out if it’s available in Australia and if yes, will ask our vet to write me a script.

catwoman707 said:

 
I would strongly recommend Clavamox liquid, Terramycin ointment and possibly Idoxuridine drops.

Not sure why the heck each vet chose the same ones as the next, none would be my choice.

I have rescued, cared for and treated literally hundreds like yours for the same symptoms, very successfully with the clavamox, terramycin ointment and Idox drops. Very successful.

The lysine is great but is not a cure, it is a supplemental additive to their normal ongoing lives to assist in keeping the symptoms at bay.

So you might see no changes with adding the lysine.

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Thank you catwoman707,

I have never had a cat with this problem and I value your advice very much.

Australia is behind countries like US when it comes to a veterinary help (treatment, medications, etc.) so it could be the case that vets just don’t have a choice but keep prescribing the same set  of mediations over and over again.

I really want to help this kitten. I lost another cat (3 years old boy) to feline thrombosis just few months ago so every health issue I am taking very seriously.

I am going to call the vet and mention Clavamox liquid, Terramycin ointment and Idoxuridine drops. I am keen to try the treatment you recommended if it’s available here.

Excellent, I hope you are able to get these meds.

To elaborate, the clavamox is excellent and my choice far before any other antibiotic. Prescription.

Terramycin (yellow/white tube) is an excellent antibacterial ointment for the eyes, I literally could not rescue and save eyes without it, it's the best. Liquid gold By the way, this CAN be purchased online without a prescription.

Same exact comments about Idoxuridine as above, an amazing med, tiny bottle of liquid drops which is the only anti-viral eye med I am aware of, and between these 2 eye meds, I have saved literally countless kitten's eyes that were very far gone looking, very, very bad. Idox is via prescription.

In rescue, we see some of the worst possible health and issues imaginable, the two top are eyes and uri's. (upper respiratory infections, most are rhinotracheitis/herpevirus)

I would imagine so, although the Idoxuridine might be tougher, not sure about that though.

Also, there is no real need for pain relievers, so I would def. skip that one.

I am getting a bit anxious about posting contrary to our rules on not giving specific medical advice, however good it is and however experienced the people who give it! No online advice can replace professional veterinary treatment, though we can of course say what worked for our own cats and sometimes suggest things you can discuss with your vet. I do agree with Catwoman707 that rarely is painkiller needed for eye infections though I do keep some for use if I feel it is necessary. After a number of arguments with my vet over Metacam and its derivatives (google it for case histories and the FDA notice removing ot from the 'safe' list of drugs for cats) he prescribed Tolfadine as a safer analgesic. There are other possibilities, too. But it is good to discuss these things with the vet - many are unaware of the US research, and Metacam is still hailed as the wonder drug in many places. There is no doubt it is effective, but it does seem to have some terrible side effects in some cats. The conclusive research remains to be done.

catwoman707 said:

 
Excellent, I hope you are able to get these meds.

To elaborate, the clavamox is excellent and my choice far before any other antibiotic. Prescription.

Terramycin (yellow/white tube) is an excellent antibacterial ointment for the eyes, I literally could not rescue and save eyes without it, it's the best. Liquid gold By the way, this CAN be purchased online without a prescription.

Same exact comments about Idoxuridine as above, an amazing med, tiny bottle of liquid drops which is the only anti-viral eye med I am aware of, and between these 2 eye meds, I have saved literally countless kitten's eyes that were very far gone looking, very, very bad. Idox is via prescription.

In rescue, we see some of the worst possible health and issues imaginable, the two top are eyes and uri's. (upper respiratory infections, most are rhinotracheitis/herpevirus)

I would imagine so, although the Idoxuridine might be tougher, not sure about that though.

Also, there is no real need for pain relievers, so I would def. skip that one.

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Hi Catwoman707,

Apologies for the late response; have a flu myself.

I will definitely do my research on availability these drugs in Australia but I am kind of confused with one issue.

The vet told me that eye ulcers are very painful and that is why he advised me to keep a pain reliever at home as a first aid.

Am I correct that your cats with similar problems didn't need any pain relievers at  all?  

JennyR said:

I am getting a bit anxious about posting contrary to our rules on not giving specific medical advice, however good it is and however experienced the people who give it! No online advice can replace professional veterinary treatment, though we can of course say what worked for our own cats and sometimes suggest things you can discuss with your vet. I do agree with Catwoman707 that rarely is painkiller needed for eye infections though I do keep some for use if I feel it is necessary. After a number of arguments with my vet over Metacam and its derivatives (google it for case histories and the FDA notice removing ot from the 'safe' list of drugs for cats) he prescribed Tolfadine as a safer analgesic. There are other possibilities, too. But it is good to discuss these things with the vet - many are unaware of the US research, and Metacam is still hailed as the wonder drug in many places. There is no doubt it is effective, but it does seem to have some terrible side effects in some cats. The conclusive research remains to be done.

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Thank you JennyR,

Will find out if Tolfadine is available here.

Our vet is very open for discussions; just have to do my homework. 

OzMatilda said:

 
Hi Catwoman707,

Apologies for the late response; have a flu myself.

I will definitely do my research on availability these drugs in Australia but I am kind of confused with one issue.

The vet told me that eye ulcers are very painful and that is why he advised me to keep a pain reliever at home as a first aid.

Am I correct that your cats with similar problems didn't need any pain relievers at  all?  

Click to expand...

No problem!

Correct, and while I agree with the vet saying it's painful, I see the kittens still able to play and act spunky, so they must not be in too much pain, and would rather stay on the safer side and not use pain meds for the little ones. I have had the worst of the worst eye damage who I had the eye removed right away and still did not use pain meds except 1-2 days after the removal.

I will however give it to adults if they have a badly damaged eye.

catwoman707 said:

 
No problem!

Correct, and while I agree with the vet saying it's painful, I see the kittens still able to play and act spunky, so they must not be in too much pain, and would rather stay on the safer side and not use pain meds for the little ones. I have had the worst of the worst eye damage who I had the eye removed right away and still did not use pain meds except 1-2 days after the removal.

I will however give it to adults if they have a badly damaged eye.

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Thanks a lot Catwoman707 for sharing your experience and for your advice of course.

Let’s see how we go… 

I was amazed that Bluebelle seemed to have no pain and her eyes looked awful. But she did not scratch at them and played and ate as normal. I did use an anti-inflammatory while the eyes were swollen.

JennyR said:

I was amazed that Bluebelle seemed to have no pain and her eyes looked awful. But she did not scratch at them and played and ate as normal. I did use an anti-inflammatory while the eyes were swollen.

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When my kitten has ulcers … first hours are terrible.

He is making circles on a floor and rubbing an affected eye. Also he is making sounds, like he is crying.

There is no doubts that it’s very painful. That’s why I am thinking about the “first aid kit”.

I have a 7 yr old with feline herpes that gets a recurring eye ulcer.  My kitty is under the care of a "Veterinary Ophthalmology Specialists"  and does procedures that a normal vet does not do such as scraping the eye and putting a eye patch (contact lense) to help it heal .  Most people think its going to be expensive going to a specialist, but the initial visit is about $60.00  plus meds and any procedures they might do.