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on antibiotics and still not much better. The vet says it is a virus, maybe herpes although he tested negative for this. Any ideas?

2007-07-09 11:49:43 · 5 answers · asked by linda a 1 in Pets Cats

5 answers

I volunteered with a rescue group for a year or so, and actually cat-sat 68 rescues in transition to the adoption center. I think I volunteered with them for about a year, but it was quite an intense experience. I gave shots, pills, interferon, eye meds, skin balms, cooked for them, everything.

That upper respiratory/eye infection -- and it is viral -- that is common among undomiciled cats and is even more common among kittens, is just a real stinker to get rid of. In the end, it does go away. But all the rescue groups were plagued by it, because you would have a perfectly socialized, lovely, healthy little animal, sick to death of being in a cage and ready to occupy someone's home and life, and their eyes would be seeping gunk and they would be sneezing. We did ampicillin, Baytril, ophthalmic eye ointments, and that stuff would hang on and on. If your cat actually has conjunctivitis, that is, if the lining of the eye socket is red and inflammed, and the cause is viral, there were some wonderful eye drops called Viroptic, specifically antiviral. The vet gave me his itty bitty bottle, because I had a kitten whose eye was at risk in my care, and he didn't want the eyeball to be crushed. But he told me it cost about $60. I had to put it in this kitten's eye every 4 hours round the clock for -- I think -- 3 or 4 days. And it didn't work immediately, but it did work within a week.

Whether Viroptic would be indicated for your kitten's infection and whether you can afford it (the price could have gone up or down in the intervening 8 years) are things you would need to check out for yourself.

The important thing for you to know is that this experience you are having is not at all unusual. This is the normal course of this scourge. But if your kitten is basically healthy, then the victory is yours. And if your kitten is healthy and is eating and energetic, then it's all over but the cessation of sneezing. Of course, you have to continue to medicate as your vet suggests. But you will shoot the magic bullet this week, and the infection will not abate until next week or the week after.
It will happen, though.

Also, if your kitten has been on oral antibiotics, you need to remember that what is true for humans is true for cats on antibiotics: They destroy nasty bacteria, but they also destroy probiotic bacteria in the digestive system, and after you have completed a course of antibiotics, you should reculture the good guys in his gut. If your cat will eat yogurt, feed him a teaspoon or so a day for a week. Try to pick out a yogurt that has lots of different cultures in it: acidophilus, bifidas regularis, a good selection. If your cat won't eat yogurt, just buy a container of plain yogurt and let it sit, out of the fridge for a day or so, and then refrigerate it (yogurt doesn't rot; it just grows more tangy). When you see that yellow fluid forming around the edges of the carton, pour that off. This is loaded with lots of good guys, probiotic bacteria. Grab an eye dropper, take your cat by surprise, and get a couple of eyedroppers of that down him a day for 5-7 days.

There is also some stuff available in the fancier pet supply stores called "The Missing Link". It is a dietary supplement for cats that is supposed to supply nutrients and enzymes indoor cats especially just don't get. You might want to check this stuff out online, but I think it facilitates rebalancing intestinal flora and fauna.

You might not think this is important, but poor digestion of food can lead to further health problems. So once you are done medicating your cat, it really is a good idea to bring his system back into balance (and I am not being touchy-feeley with the phrase "balance"), just in case he has a tendency to sensitive stomach. It is a preventive measure.

I don't know how much help I've been. At least some, I hope. But please do be assured the experience you are having with this infection is par for the course, and no matter what anybody says, there really is no quick fix. Your kitten will be all right, though. It will just take longer than you think it should.

2007-07-09 12:37:41 · answer #1 · answered by Mercy 6 · 1 0

It's most likely an upper respiratory and needs the antibiotics but they take a good two weeks to clear up.

If it's runny eyes that you suspect for herpes, go get some generic lysine (or l-lysine, same thing) at the grocery store and give 250mg once a day over the dry food. That's a normal cat dose but you can go as high as 500mg a day with it, without hurting the cat. We use it for our FIV+ cat who gets recurring runny eyes from the herpes virus and it clears it up in 3 days. Use the powder or crush the pill, don't get the gel cap because that tastes terrible and they won't eat that. The powder has no flavor and it's easy to give over food.

If the virus is the calci virus (the other one that makes their eyes run) you'll need an eye ointment from the vet to clear that up. One of ours has that occasionally and it takes 2 weeks before it clears up.

But if you're seeing a runny nose too, it's most likely an upper respiratory, you'll just have to wait to see results on that one. Use a kleenex to help keep their eyes clear and give him lots of love and pets.

2007-07-09 12:11:08 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 2 0

A couple of possibilities:
Chlamidia infextion usually in eyes , responds to topical tetracyclines, It may take a few weeks to respond.
Rhinotracheitis.. something the cat is vaccinated for. Can be a nusiance for a while and in un vaccinates can cause severe damage. Treatment is supportive only;
Any respiratior disease, such as pneumonia. Antibiotics, typically penicillin derritives are used. However in difficult cases, try "Zithromax" I have had good success with it in severe cases.. Get dose from your vet. Dr. W

2007-07-09 11:57:39 · answer #3 · answered by richardbrendawalsh 2 · 1 0

go to walmart and go to the supplement isle and get some L-Lysine and give your kitten 500mg of that a day. that will keep the herpes virus from replicating.

the test for feline herpes isn't very accurate my vet said. I have 2 cats that have feline herpes. if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

2007-07-09 11:55:00 · answer #4 · answered by macleod709 7 · 1 0

I use pink eye medication made for humans on my dogs & it clears ir right up.

Also try to hold a damp-cool tea bag on it. (thats supposed to help also)

2007-07-09 12:02:13 · answer #5 · answered by MB 3 · 1 1

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