Typical length of time for a herpes flare up?

Well, Robin's eye seems to have cleared up on its own! I didn't even give him any Clariten or anything. What is a typical time frame an episode of feline eye herpes takes before clearing up? The only thing different is that 1.) he has a cat fountain to which I added a tsp of vinegar (so he no longer drinks from the bathroom faucet)(what a nice Christmas gift from my brother!!), and 2.) I put a humidifier on. Oh , and I fed him a couple pieces of cooked cauliflower and broccoli (literally maybe a teaspoon total) the day before it cleared up. Did any of these contribute, or was this just a typical flare up? I don't think my pet sitter did anything special.

Edit: just looked this up. Weird!! I'm going to keep feeding Robin broccoli and cauliflower!! He also likes Brussels sprouts!!!

http://www.m.webmd.com/genital-herpes/news/20030915/broccoli-may-thwart-herpes-virus

Really, I'm just bumping this up since no one has responded. 

I have no experience with Feline Herpes, so can't answer your questions on how long it normally takes, but thought it normally took some form of treatment to clear up.  This is certainly a NEW holistic treatment (the vegies).  You may have stumbled on something new (for cat owners).  Hope it continues to do the trick.

Do you also give L-Lysine on a daily basis?

Well,the runny eye came running back. I have a vet appointment made, but it's not for another 3 weeks, which is my first "open" paycheck.

The reason I'm bumping this is, his fur has taken on a disagreeable odor, and I can't quite place it to his eye, but that odor doesn't seem as strong past his neck. He's not messing with his eye, it's open, but has gotten runny to the point that warm compresses are being given also to wipe away matted fur gunk that is gathering on the far end of his eye. He seems to be getting picky about food, but meh, that's not exactly out of character for Robin.

I'm actually considering a run to the store just to pick up fresh cauliflower and broccoli, because i only have frozen chopped broccoli and its 95% stems, and I can tell he dislikes it.

He's sleeping right now, but I'm going to post a pic of that eye soon so maybe people can tell me if I'm over worrying or not. I admit, im worried about the possibility of keratitis herpes involvement. Dear God, I need a better job....it kills me to not be able to bring him in sooner. The discharge doesn't appear to have pus, and there's no runny nose, at least.

mrsgreenjeens said:

Really, I'm just bumping this up since no one has responded. 

I have no experience with Feline Herpes, so can't answer your questions on how long it normally takes, but thought it normally took some form of treatment to clear up.  This is certainly a NEW holistic treatment (the vegies).  You may have stumbled on something new (for cat owners).  Hope it continues to do the trick.

Do you also give L-Lysine on a daily basis?

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Hi, mrsgreemjeens, thanks for answering! No, I don't do lysine since some research says it can't help with cat herpes? And the weathers miserable, I didn't get out (yet) to buy him fresh cauliflower. (I can honestly say I'm probably the first cat owner ever who's said those words, haha.)

I do have lysine in tablet form at home but lack a way to grind it down. I'm getting a little desperate, and might try to get him to eat a little. It can't hurt.

Hello!

Sorry to hear Robin's feeling a bit under the weather. My cat Jello has the herpes virus and his left eye gets that runny reddish/brown discharge.

Typically his flare ups will last several weeks, but unfortunately they return quite often. I've used l-lysine daily for years and it's helped fight off the virus. I buy this in bulk from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012GXMWY/?tag=&tag=thecatsite

I give him two pumps daily (500mg) and four pumps(1000mg) daily if he's having a flare up. I put it on my finger and wipe it off in his mouth using the inside of his cheek. This is the easiest because he doesn't like wet food. I've also tried dissolving the powder in water and giving it to him with a syringe but he hated that.

As far as crushing the tablets I've turned the bottle upside down and used the lid to crush the tablets to put into wet food. There's also l-lysine treats you can buy but it takes a lot of treats to get the high dosage.

I've also used Terramycin ointment for infections and to reduce inflammation.

The vet gives me idoxuridine eye drops but I only use them when he has severe flare ups as they burn his eyes a little. He hides from me for hours after that .

I haven't heard of using broccoli/cauliflower, my boy is such a picky eater that I'm not sure if he'd eat them but I'm all for a natural approach .

misterwhiskers said:

The reason I'm bumping this is, his fur has taken on a disagreeable odor, and I can't quite place it to his eye, but that odor doesn't seem as strong past his neck. He's not messing with his eye, it's open, but has gotten runny to the point that warm compresses are being given also to wipe away matted fur gunk that is gathering on the far end of his eye.

 

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Could the odor be coming from his ear?  Not sure that would be related to his herpes, but all that inner sinus area kind of flows together .  I know sometimes when I have really bad allergies and am sneezing a lot, at times my ears will also itch.  So is it possible he's got an ear infection happening too?  

Do you have Care Credit ?  I'm pretty sure it's interest free for awhile, so you can get medical attention for Robin sooner than later, then pay it back with that upcoming paycheck.  If you don't have it, you could at leastl check in to it, right?  (just make sure your Vet takes it...I think most do)   www.carecredit.com

HI-

Several years ago my cat contracted the Herpes virus and got very sick.  It started out with his mouth getting infected with sores and the fur smell was from him licking himself with a stinky mouth.  Then he turned for the worse and quit eating.  He started drooling bloody saliva because of the sores.  He was a mess.  (He is fine now but has chronic URI which flares up every now and then)

Your cat might be getting very sick.  I would definitely try and get him to the vet if you can.  I didn't have any money and the vet wanted to take all his teeth out (no way!  His teeth were fine, and still are) so I treated him at home.  It was hard and exhausting.  Had to force feed him and use a dropper to get him to drink water.  I gave him holistic therapy and he got better but I don't recommend you go down this road.  It was very emotionally and physically exhausting.