How to Treat/Prevent Feline Herpes

Once a cat has a feline herpes episode, it is difficult to treat; however, preventing another one is moderately easy! This article will hopefully let you know that there IS hope!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• L-Lysine
• Possibly a piller

1. My youngest cat, Toby, was taken to the veterinarian last year for a routine vaccination visit - what happened next was horrifying!
2. If your cat becomes ill - showing signs of an upper respiratory infection following a routine visit, be sure and have him or her checked for feline herpes immediately!
3. A couple of days after Toby's visit, he had difficulty breathing, was running a fever, panting and had to be taken to the emergency veterinary hospital where he received round the clock care.
4. Thankfully, I had taken off work for my own surgery because the steps it took to get "my baby" back to good health were exhausting (to say the least)! He was only three years old at the time and this was the second time that he had gone for shots and come home sick!
5. Not only did he have a really bad "cold," but he had also developed an ulcer in his left eye.
6. He had to have eye drops four times a day to begin with then three, then two, then AFTER NINE MONTHS, he was finally better!
7. During this entire time, we were told to give him a supplement called L-Lysene. He was to get 500 mg in the morning and 500 at night. This is to go on for the rest of his life.
8. Since that time, thankfully, he has not shown any signs of the herpes virus and I give him a tablet cut into 1/4 pieces twice a day. None of his siblings have shown signs of the virus (none were from the same litter).
9. This treatment may be difficult if you have a cat who is particularly hard to pill. Toby is SO easy! Of course, out of my four "babies," he is the only one that I have had since he was a kitten. They are all "rescue" cats - but Toby was just a "rescue" kitten - and I can handle him differently from the other three!
10. He is SO easy to pill - in fact, he comes to me EVERY morning and reminds ME that it is time for his pill. I learned from a veterinarian who made house calls (I will NEVER take Toby to the Veterinarian again!) that if you lift your cat up (like on a kitchen island) and scruff them pulling their head back with one hand and opening their mouth with the other - it is very effective!
11. Toby, however, just needs to be lifted onto the island (actually, he walks all over it most of the time anyway), then I open his mouth (four times) and kind of toss the pill (piece back in his throat. he swallows and waits for the next one. I have had very good cats in the past but none like this! I then disinfect the island top and give him treats - I believe this is the key to my success! He puts up with taking the pills so that he then is rewarded and receives treats!

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes, our pharmacy or grocery has buy one, get one free on various vitamin brands. I clip coupons constantly and when they have buy one, get one free, I always stock up on L-Lysene tablets. they have no odor or taste!
• I believe whole-heartedly in the reward system!
• You may find that "hiding" the contents of a capsule in their wet food works for you - you know your "kittie" the best!
• Do not self-diagnose - be sure that your cat receives a check up and diagnosis from your veterinarian!
• Follow the instructions exactly as they are written if your cat has a full-blown episode!
• If your cat gets an ulcer in his or her eye due to the herpes - don't give up! Keep up the treatments that an animal ophthalmologist recommends! Also, DO NOT miss a dose of the L-Lysine! Thankfully, Toby is easy to pill and even purrs as I shove pills down his throat. He is a happy cat and I am SO glad that we never gave up!
• Do not try any "concoctions" recommended by non-professionals! They are a waste of money and do not work! Follow (every word) that your Kitty eye doctor tells you!