Vet Visit for Snickerdoodles!

8furballs

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So I guess I'll start from the beginning. Snickers got sick around Monday.  We noticed some sneezing and didn't think anything of it. The next day she wouldn't open her eye. I found her under the bed and she would hiss at the others. Which is weird for her because she gets along with everyone. When I finally caught her and saw it up close it was really swollen and some discharge was coming from it. I took her to the vet. By the way, I just want to say...I love my vet. He is really awesome and all my cats LOVE him.  He wanted to rule out FIV and Feline Leukemia so he did some blood tests. She came up FIV neg and Feline Leukemia neg  
Thank goodness! I was really worried about that with the others because the others were sneezing too but she was the worst one and I am NOT made of money. He also did a test to check her eyes though I forgot what it was called. Snickers eyes are not damaged. So he ruled it a URI with a secondary infection of the eye( wasn't sure if viral or bacterial). Sent me home with eye drops and Clavamox (Amoxicillin). She responded well with the meds and is getting better. She can open her eye willingly and I can no longer see the underside of the eyelid peeking out. And her sneezing is lessening. I'm really hoping the older cats will get over it without any medical intervention. Snickers is offically a year old and is only 6.1 lbs. Dr. F said she isn't underweight...just small. So i'm thinking since she was so much smaller and younger she got sicker. The others are only 2 years old and VERY healthy besides the sneezing. Dr. F said its very possible it could just go away but keep an eye to make sure there is no discharge of the eyes or I notice them "hacking" or wheezing. So far so good! Lets hope for the best. 

 Thanks for reading!
 

otto

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You could put them on l-lysine for a few weeks to help boost their immune systems. My guess is what your vet meant is there was a viral infection that went into secondary bacterial infection. That's often how it goes. The antibiotics will cure the secondary bacterial infection, but the l-lysine can help with the viral infection the other cats are exhibiting.

The pure powder is the easiest and cheapest method. You can buy a bottle of pure powder, or capsules that contain the pure powder. 500 mg a day is the therapeutic dose, you just mix it in their food. It has no taste except slightly salty, most cats like it.

Hope they are all feeling better soon.
 
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8furballs

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Thanks for the advice. I think i'm gonna try it. Can I get it at like Petco or Petsmart?
 

orientalslave

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You could put them on l-lysine for a few weeks to help boost their immune systems. ...
As far as I know, L-Lysine helps cats with FHV as it interfers with the virus reproducing by displacing arginine, not by boosting the cat's immune system.
 
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8furballs

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Just to update...2 others had gotten sick but not like Snickers. Though they are better now without vet intervention!  
 

otto

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Glad everyone is better.


As far as I know, L-Lysine helps cats with FHV as it interfers with the virus reproducing by displacing arginine, not by boosting the cat's immune system.
Yes, that is how L-lysine helps with feline herpes. However, l-lysine also helps support and strengthen the immune system.
 

orientalslave

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Where is the evidence L-Lysine supports the immune system?  Or is it a number of web sites selling it all repeating each other? 

I have found one that says 'according to medical studies' without referencing them.  Of course if one's diet is deficient then taking some may help, but that's not the same thing. 
 
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