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FVR (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis) in sphnyx kitten

gollumthesphynx

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Hi Everyone!

I just adopted an 8-week old, male sphynx kitten yesterday! He's slowly getting settled in, but as stressed as one would be the first night/day in a new home away from his litter and parents.
Waking up this morning I noticed that his left eye was shut, encrusted with yellow pus. Once he was able to open it, there was a lot of gunk in it, AND a crusty nose. We went to the vet straight away and the vet diagnosed him with FVR (feline viral rhinotracheitis), aka herpes, aka a respiratory issue. She ensured me that this was common among most cats, and the symptoms he's experiencing are present due to the stress of the move. She gave me some eye drops and a lysine supplement to boost his immune system.

As a first time cat owner, I am so stressed and concerned.

Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with this virus? OR any words of encouragement?
 

Cinafina

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Hi and welcome! :) Sorry to hear that this is how the first few days with your new nakid have turned out, and I know first hand how worrying it is. Hmm,... 8 weeks is very young to bring a kitten home, and a lot of breeders won't let them go until they're 12-14 weeks old, since they're still being socialised and their immune systems are still developing.

As for the vet's diagnosis I would say they made an educated guess as to what's causing your baby's symptoms, since these things can't actually be confirmed without blood work, swabs etc, but even then the tests are not always conclusive and you can get false positives or negatives.

I have 2 boys and one of them has had respiratory issues from day one, and in his case they became chronic (he's now 17 months old) and it's something we have learned to live with an manage on a daily basis. Now I'm certainly not saying that's what will happen to your boy, and I think mine is the exception to the rule. It seems to me that in most cases the symptoms pass with the right medication and care, but can of course flare up again on occasion. I really hope that Gollum (I assumed that is his name from your username?) will recover fully, and that it's just the stress of moving to his forever home that's caused his illness!

Would be lovely to see some some pics of your baby boy! {}
 

Sheldon13

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Hi Everyone!

I just adopted an 8-week old, male sphynx kitten yesterday! He's slowly getting settled in, but as stressed as one would be the first night/day in a new home away from his litter and parents.
Waking up this morning I noticed that his left eye was shut, encrusted with yellow pus. Once he was able to open it, there was a lot of gunk in it, AND a crusty nose. We went to the vet straight away and the vet diagnosed him with FVR (feline viral rhinotracheitis), aka herpes, aka a respiratory issue. She ensured me that this was common among most cats, and the symptoms he's experiencing are present due to the stress of the move. She gave me some eye drops and a lysine supplement to boost his immune system.

As a first time cat owner, I am so stressed and concerned.

Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with this virus? OR any words of encouragement?

Welcome!

It sound like as good a guess as any. Just keep an eye on it and if there’s no improvement in a couple of days call your vet. Kitties do get sniffles in new homes but it does seem he has a respiratory tract infection


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Yoda mom

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@gollumthesphynx welcoming you and your baby boy to the lair family ...
What is his name ? Is it Gollum ? Cute name ... I always ask because some of us have users names kept from our first sphynx

Welcome home little one ... kudos to you for taking him to the vet ..better for early intervention treatment ..

Curious what eye drops prescribed? I had success with oflaxacin and idoxurine with my boy

Healing head smooches sent ! Not unusual as your vet said can be stress related amd clear up with the meds and once he settles in
Many members supplemental with l-lysine powder added to wet food .
My guy refused to eat the l-lysine paste ... not sure which l-lysine your vet gave ... let us know which type and how he likes it

Following closely for updates

Welcome home little boy ... look forward to your journey with us woth lots of pics and tales
 

Toa and Ross

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Welcome to sphynxlair. Don't have experience with this so don't have advice to offer. Only chiming in to sent healing and calming vibed. Hope the eye drops will work.
Do you have a pic of your little cutie?
 

gollumthesphynx

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Sorry for the late response! But yes, Gollum is his name!
Vet prescribed him this eye gel, I don't have it on hand, but will be sure to link it when I'm back home.

It's been several days, and he is MUCH better. The more comfortable he became with his new home, the faster the symptoms went away. However, I am keeping an eye on him for another few days, and have discontinued use of the eye drops.

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

Will upload a pic, very very soon :)
 

gollumthesphynx

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here’s gollum! ❤️
 

Yoda mom

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@gollumthesphynx omg cute alarm! So Glad the eye drops have helped
Look forward to lots of pics amd tales of adorable Gollum! Love his name
Jump in and enjoy this fun friendly bunch ..
We all learn and grow together for the love of nakids ..
Everyone has something to contribute , new members and seasoned we never stop learning something new and support each other on the journey

It would be helpful to members too to know the name of eye medications were prescribed and helped Gollum

Hugs and head smooches !
More pics!
 
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