Using idoxuridine for herpes eye infection

[drbobcat]

I have been prescribed idoxuridine for a likely feline herpes eye infection. I used it three times a day for a month, and symptoms more or less disappeared, but the vet (a feline eye specialist) wants me to continue treatment twice a day for a month and then once a day for a month. My cat totally hates these drops, and application has changed her behavior in a bad way. She now fears me and hides under the bed most of the day. She never did that before and was very sweet and attentive. She often shies away from me when I approach her. Is it really worth it to continue this treatment? I admit that I haven't asked my vet this question because my wife has been taking her for check-ups. If treatment is warranted, anybody have any advice on changing her back to the cuddly little girl she used to be?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Sorry no has responded to your post yet. I think, as you implied, calling the vet and asking about the length of treatment, and why, is a good start - just so you know. Maybe, they would be amenable to just once a day for the duration, instead of twice a day?

I find that cats who have to receive meds react in part to their owner's behavior. If you are anxious before/during/after the treatment, they respond to that. Most cats, even those who are receiving long term treatments, will 'get over' the treatment within a small amount of time, if the environment is right. Acting as normal as you can, giving treats immediately afterward (and, perhaps before/during as well), and paying attention to her in the ways she most appreciates following the treatment would help.

Gently warming the drops may help make the process more comfortable, just make sure they are not too warm. And, try to make your handling as gentle as possible. Avoid pulling too firmly on the ear flap or poking the ear canal with the applicator tip. It can also be helpful having your wife hold her so you have both hands free. She can administer treats while you are applying the ear drops to help distract and reward your cat - and, you can reverse roles.

Praise, stroke, or treat her before and after you administer the drops, so the unpleasant event occurs between enjoyable interactions.
Try not to medicate her in her favorite spot(s) to avoid creating a negative association with that place.

That's all I have! Hopefully, other members will come along with some additional tips that might help.

 

[fionasmom]

Can your wife instill the drops in the eye or is this a two person job? We have had trouble with Jamie in the same way; he was my husband's buddy until we had to use 1) an eye ointment that did not work leading to 2) an eye drop. We also had to put flea drops on the back of his neck, more than once. For all these treatments, my husband holds him in place, not unkindly, and I administer and then assure him that everything will be fine...Jamie, not my husband. However, Jamie apparently sees being held in place as the bigger betrayal and has definitely cooled to my husband....not as much as what you describe, but the honeymoon is definitely over.

I should add that two adorable little former feral calicos have joined the house and Jamie now has two girlfriends to play with who might be more appealing than humans. However, it is noticeable that he is still connecting something to my husband as he will even run away from him if he expects that something might be in the works. The other day Jamie bolted out of the kitchen when my husband picked up a container of Sheba for the feral outside....apparently it looks too much like the package that Revolution comes in and he expected cat food to be poured all over his neck.

I do agree about asking the vet if the treatment is almost over and expect that once it is over the cat may return to normal.