My buddy's got a cold... or something.

Hey guys. Wanted to check in to tell you all how my adoptee kitty was doing. Porter is doing great right now. He's gained 3lbs since I got him 5 months ago (He was at 7 lbs, now up to 10lbs, mostly muscle and all needed!) But, I've noticed one thing that's not so good. His eye has been watering recently, as well as sudden sneezing fits. They're every few days and far between, but a bit violent. I've a feeling its a uri, but here's where I get a bit stumped...

I took him to the vet this time last week for a checkup regarding the watery eye, and the doctor said it likely is a uri, and prescribed me some baytril, and a pill I can't remember off the top of my head, twice a day for 10 days and half a pill twice a day for 7 days. He was doing well on it, but, as the end of his cycles coming on the medication rolls around, I've noticed his eye watering again.

The doctor did say there is a possible chronic URI where this may happen all the time, but I'd really like to make him feel better... If possible that is. Any ideas what to do...? I hate thinking that he's got a cold. She didn't take any blood or do any tests on him, but I've got to go in on Monday to drop some paper work off for the office. I'll inform them of what's going on, but... In the mean time, what're your thoughts about it?

It sounds like he may have Feline Herpes, which normally causes watery eye(s) and sneezing) which comes and goes.  Most people who's cats have this keep them on a maintenance dosage of L-Lysine (250 mg twice a day) , then when they have a flare-up, increase the dosage to 500 mg twice a day. 

Here are a couple of threads about it:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/267580/l-lysine-where-to-get-it

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/267703/stubborn-herpes-infection-add-lactoferrin-in-addition-to-lysine

I was hoping it wasn't something chronic. Is there a way to test for that? It doesn't seem to be bothering him very much other than the watering eye.

I think they usually diagnose Herpes bases pretty much on symptoms.  I believe there are a couple of tests they can run, but one of them involves taking cell scrapings from the eye and isn't even definative, and the one that is the most accurate is quite expensive and takes up to a month for the results.  (so i have read).

It may not be Herpes at all, but it just sort of sounds like it to me, so I figured if you put him on the L-Lysine it might help.

Sorry to bring back the topic again, but. I'm sitting here watching my buddy sleep and watching a tear run down his nose. He's been on L-Lysine for almost a month now but, it hasn't done anything to help his tears. His sniffles have mostly cleared up, but his eye is still running on a daily basis... Any ideas?