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746512 tn?1388807580

Upper Respiratory and Lysine

Totally forgot to ask the vet about this.  My kitty caught the herpes upper respiratory virus when he was 7 weeks old and never totally recovered.  He has had weepy eyes since then (which is why I got him for free from the pet store) and I have used lysine gel supplement since he was 5 months old.  

It works most of the time but when he gets stressed the eye starts running again.  Is there anything else I can help boost his immune system to help with the chronic infection?

by the way ... he is on "go natural" when is a canadian made high quality diet with botanicals, herbs, digestive enzymes, probiotics and fruits and veggies along with high quality protein sources (chicken and fish).  I know vitamin C for us is suppose to help with the immune system but is that different for animals since they can make their own vitamin C?
5 Responses
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945796 tn?1283482615
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Oops.  Forgot the "s" behind Harrisons in the web address,   The correct address is harrisonsPetProducts.com.  Sorry about that.

Dr. Youkey
Helpful - 0
945796 tn?1283482615
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
5 treats supplies the same amount of L-Lysine as you are currently giving which is 250mg.  And I agree with you that many pet products have "stuff" in it that I wish weren't in there.

I can also say that several cat breeders really like Sunshine Factor Supplement as well the Booster.  It is Red Palm oil based and contains 6 forms of vitamin E.  Among the many benefits of this supplement is antiviral.  You can purchase them thru the internet at Harrisonpetproducts.com.  I have not personally used it but have heard wonderful things about it from breeders who are as conscious of by-products and other unwanted ingredients in our pet's diets.

Good luck to you and your cat!

Dr. Youkey


Helpful - 0
746512 tn?1388807580
What is the concentration of lysine in those treats?  At this point we are using Viralys oral gel from vetoquinol and he gets 2 doses of 250mg per day.  

I found the ingredient list which I am not too too happy with.

Ingredients:
Poultry meal, rice flour, corn flour, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, sugar, salt, potassium sorbate, titanium dioxide.

Why do they must have added sugar and salt with them?  I still will probably try them, I wish they came in a fish flavour though because my kitten isn't too fond of turkey/chicken based food.  :)
Helpful - 0
945796 tn?1283482615
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Here’s another great option for giving lysine to your cat.  I like to give my own cats Enisyl-F Lysine Treats.  They come in a resealable foil pouch and contains about a 60 day supply of treats.  These treats supposedly reduce the severity of symptoms and the frequency of flare-ups as well.  My cats really like the taste of these treats and readily devour them.

But as with all new foods and treats, you will want to introduce it very slowly so that they do not get an upset stomach.  We wouldn’t want your cat to get diarrhea from a rapid change or introduction to new food.

You can get these treats from your veterinarian. Please ask them.  The manufacturer is Vetoquinol USA.

Good luck!
Dr. Youkey

Helpful - 0
931674 tn?1283481696
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I have not heard of Vit C to help feline herpes, but lysine is certainly a great choice. Additionally, for herpes eye disease, veterinary ophthalmologists often prescribe topical antiviral eyedrops such as idoxuridine, and you can ask your veterinarian about the option for referral to an ophthalmologist if your cat's symptoms persist.
Kimberly Coyner, DVM
Helpful - 0

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