4 Year Old Female Recently Diagnosed with Herpes- A Few Questions

HI everyone,

My Kitty, Boudicca, was recently diagnosed with Herpes. 

We took her to the vet last Monday because she had started sneezing a lot on Friday night. By Sunday night she was fairly lethargic, having frequent sneezing fits and some coughing. On Monday morning she had all that and her eyes were super watery.

The vet told my husband that she probably had Herpes, but also noticed that her tonsils were inflamed and he wasn't sure why,

Her prescribed and eye cream and antibiotics, all to be given twice a day for a week . 

We took her in today for her follow up and while the vets says she's looking a lot better (and she is. Shes not lethargic or sneezing much anymore), her tonsils are still inflamed, though not as bad.

This is all new for me, and I'm having a hard time trusting the vet. He mentioned we might need to get her tonsils removed and I'm worried about that (her safety and the cost to us). 

Does anyone have experience with feline herpes? What about swollen tonsils in a cat? How much does a surgery like that cost?

Any input you can provide would be helpful in calming me down. We've only had her since May, but I absolutely adore her. I've never had to deal with a sick cat before either. 

greenqueen said:

 
HI everyone,

My Kitty, Boudicca, was recently diagnosed with Herpes. 

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herpes is manageable but can flare up when under stress etc, but having a cats tonsils out i have never ever heard of that being done, and a little research suggests that antibiotics are the usual treatment.  I'd get a second opinion before i consented to that.  http://www.merckvetmanual.com/respi...of-small-animals/tonsillitis-in-small-animals

Thank you. The vet has put her on another week of antibiotics, so we're hoping that fixes whatever is going on. He mentioned that tonsil removal surgery on cats is obsolete.

Did he run the real PCR URD test to diagnose for herpes? That's where I'd start.  Also, if she does have herpes, then usually it requires a longer period of antibiotics. Did he mention trying a short dose of steroids to see if it helps with the tonsil inflammation? Also, what about an antihistamine to help out?  Before doing anything drastic, get a second and/or third opinion, preferably from a cat only vet, if possible.

In addition to antibiotics, BOVINE LACTOFERRIN works very well against herpes.  We have had a very long thread going on this here at TCS that should tell you something abut it.  It is not expensive, easy to find, and in my experience greatly improves chronic herpes manifestations like runny eyes and noses etc.  In a new active case, I would certainly add it to your other regime.  You can google lactoferrin and lactoferricin to learn more. 

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