FHV

About a year ago, I found my first baby girl. She was a stray and dumped outside to fend for herself. Since then, we have become a family and she is my everything. But over this year I continually felt bad about leaving her home while I was at work and school. So I did my research and I found that many cats thrive with a companion. Everyone likes a playmate, right?

So a week and a half ago, I adopted a kitten from a local, no kill shelter. The adoption center gave her a clean bill of health and gave me all her medical paperwork as proof. The new cat was brought to my home and subsequently introduced to my baby girl. However, over the next few hours, I noticed that the new cat's eye was slightly pussy. I had never seen anything like this before. So I brought her to the adoption center the next day and asked for their opinion - they gave me Terramycin for the new cat's eye as eye infections are apparently common in shelters. I was given instructions to put the medication on the new cat's eye everyday. But over the next week the cat's eye got worse and her appetite decreased. On taking her to my family vet immediately on appetite loss, I discovered she has FHV.

My original cat has been exposed but does not show signs of contraction. I have since sanitized everything the new cat has come in contact with and quarantined her until the flare up is over. The new cat is on medications. This doesn't mean I'm not worried contracion won't happen though for my original house cat. I really love my new cat already, but I'm worried for my original house cat - who has had a shiny bill of health her whole life. As I have mentioned, I work full-time and go to school and I worry I do not have time to devote to the new cat's FHV, especially if my original house cat conracts the virus. I want to make sure that both of my cats receive the love and the best care they deserve.

My vet said they have no idea if the virus will stop flaring up, but to reduce the new cat's stress as much as possible. But my rehoming the new cat and introducing her to my cat is most likely what triggered her flare up in the first place. If I try to reintroduce the two cats when the flare up is over - will the cycle just continue and the new cat continue to have the flare ups because of the stress of it? My original cat is very much an alpha feline and I worry she might place a lot of stress on the new baby again during the next introduction we have. Is it better the new cat receive a less stressful home at this point? Any advice you can give will be very helpful. I have no idea what to do at this point. This is the very first situation like this I have ever had.

Thank you for your time and help.

Hi welcome to TCS!

First let me say I'm sorry you are having to go through this. It does sound stressful and you've come to the right place for support.

There are several members who have experience with what you are going through and I'm sure they will be along to assist with their experience and advice.

You've only had the kitty for less than 2 weeks and you've been thrown a lot of changes; understandably stressful especially when you were trying to help enrich your first kitty's life Do not feel bad about confining the new kitty. Give her a hiding place and a nice environment, food, water and litter and let her settle in.

Is the new kitty feeling ok? Eating well, active? What kind of medications is she on?
Is your first kitty current on vaccinations?

These questions will help others give more through answers and advice. I personally have no experience in this area but I want you to know that someone read your post and cares.

Well, I think if you are able to do the introductions slowly, there is no reason why these two little ladies cannot live together.  Just follow the guidelines listed here:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-successfully-introduce-cats-the-ultimate-guide

Also, you'll probably want to keep the new baby on L-Lysine all the time.  That's what it seems like most members who who FHV furkids do.  They keep them on maintenance of 500 mg. split between morning and evening, then if they have a flare-up, increase it to 1000 mg.  Here is another thread on that:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240406/l-lysine-questions-please  AND, for those cats who have it really bad, here's another thread on it:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/267703/stubborn-herpes-infection-add-lactoferrin-in-addition-to-lysine

Hi lotsoffur,

Thank you for your kind words and for your welcome. I was researching more on FHV and I stumbled across this site. It seemed like a very warm and accepting cat site, with very knowledgeable cat owners.

To answer your questions: With the the new kitty, I do have her quarantined to a single room and clean her water/litter box often. In the room, she has a crate she can go in and out of and we covered the crate so she would have a quiet hidey place to go to. She is on clavamox and eye drops. She is eating once again - not great but it's getting better. Her eye is almost open now and her fever is also back down. And my house cat has all her vaccinations. I hope this will be of help.

Thank you again! Your time is most appreciated!! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Hi msgreenjeans! Thank you for your insight and for the links! I'll talk to my vet about the l-lysine. That will be very helpful to know once she gets better and back on her feet. [emoji]128522[/emoji]