L-Lysine Poll

[Catzzzmeow]

Not sure @Fester. I guess it could go both ways. My vet was very pleased to hear we were giving it before he recommended it and being it is not a money maker for him since I do not purchase through them I looked at it as more positive thing than negative. But it is considered a supplement...if supplements were not beneficial then humans would not take them. Granted some "supplements" are not really studied and there is no solid study that I know of with actual results for many supplements for humans or animals...that includes L-Lysine.

After what felt like never ending respiratory issues after our last kitten, I finally got things under control months later after they passed it back and forth. I feel like I do not want to take any chances of reoccurrence. If I miss a day I do not freak but I will tell you one thing I was totally freaking when they were ill...lol!

Now you are making me think this thing through even more (you always have thought provoking comments) we have seen several on here not on antibiotics and L-Lysine has helped them and not all were herpes related. We do not have any that have shared they just stopped mid stream to see if it no longer worked that I know of. But to your point, do I feel like mine would fall ill again without it, no...but as supplement is supposed to help give a boost and for that reason I continue...as well as my vet saying it is a positive thing.

Hope that makes sense. I do not look at it as a cure...just as maintenance...and so far so good...knock on wood. Last comment...I think this forum is filled with some very breed specific success and it has seemed to be a positive for many members, so I guess we have our own little study going on...lol. Not sure it will ever be quantifiable and that can always open the door for the unknown. I am copying @admin on this as Tom is always full of information.

patti

 

[admin]

I haven't found any studies showing that lysine helps with anything other than herpes...

HOWEVER, the problem with a herpes flair-up usually isn't the herpes itself -- it's the secondary bacterial infections that take advantage of a flair up --
That's why you find vets like to give a antibiotic shot when treating a herpes flair up. The antibiotics won't do a dang thang for the herpes, but will help with those secondary infections.

So if you use lysine to prevent flair ups, you don't give the bacterial crap an open window to cause problems. I'm reasonably confident that the lysine doesn't help general health in any other fashion.

Not sure @Fester. I guess it could go both ways. My vet was very pleased to hear we were giving it before he recommended it and being it is not a money maker for him since I do not purchase through them I looked at it as more positive thing than negative. But it is considered a supplement...if supplements were not beneficial then humans would not take them. Granted some "supplements" are not really studied and there is no solid study that I know of with actual results for many supplements for humans or animals...that includes L-Lysine.

After what felt like never ending respiratory issues after our last kitten, I finally got things under control months later after they passed it back and forth. I feel like I do not want to take any chances of reoccurrence. If I miss a day I do not freak but I will tell you one thing I was totally freaking when they were ill...lol!

Now you are making me think this thing through even more (you always have thought provoking comments) we have seen several on here not on antibiotics and L-Lysine has helped them and not all were herpes related. We do not have any that have shared they just stopped mid stream to see if it no longer worked that I know of. But to your point, do I feel like mine would fall ill again without it, no...but as supplement is supposed to help give a boost and for that reason I continue...as well as my vet saying it is a positive thing.

Hope that makes sense. I do not look at it as a cure...just as maintenance...and so far so good...knock on wood. Last comment...I think this forum is filled with some very breed specific success and it has seemed to be a positive for many members, so I guess we have our own little study going on...lol. Not sure it will ever be quantifiable and that can always open the door for the unknown. I am copying @admin on this as Tom is always full of information.

patti

Do not mistake (Human) - Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) (symptoms - sores around the mouth area) - for (Cat -Feline Herpes) - Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) (Upper Respiratory Illness.) They are not the same disease and symptoms are totally different as is the effectiveness of how the Lysine is utilized in the body for the disease as well. Not sure if that is the facts your referencing that would show no case studies of Lysine being effective for the human form of Herpes (actually there have been case studies of individuals taking Lysine before a herpes flare up and has shown to prevent the flare up from happening or dampening the symptoms.) With that being said, there are many studies that show positive results with the disease FVR in felines and the Lysine supplement benefiting the animal and the FVR symptoms, not curing it of course.

Read more... http://www.vetinfo.com/controlling-cat-herpes-l-lysine.html#b


How Do L-Lysine Supplements Work?

Viral infections grow when an individual virus takes control of a host cell and makes it use its resources to manufacture more viruses. The virus does this by injecting its DNA into the nucleus of the host cell. This strip of genetic material contains instructions that the cell's chemical machinery can use to build more viruses. The host cell, unable to distinguish between the viral DNA and its own, will continue to make more viruses until it bursts, releasing the viruses into the body to infect more cells.

An uninfected cell usually does not use much of a particular amino acid called arginine, while cells that are infected use a lot of it to make more copies of the virus. The cell's natural chemical process that uses arginine is limited by the quantity of L-Lysine (another amino acid) that's available. By giving daily L-Lysine supplements to your cat, you increase the quantity of L-Lysine available for the cat's cells to use, which means that the cell uses more arginine for its natural functions. This leaves less arginine available for the production of the cat herpes virus, thereby slowing the growth of the infection.

Hope this helps.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Thanks @admin I knew you would have facts to pull from your resources. I find the whole medical aspect in humans and animals very interesting. I am a go with your head and gut kind of person...common sense says a lot, but you backing up the factual part is much more credible. @Fester always has great input...


Patti

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Do not mistake (Human) - Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) (symptoms - sores around the mouth area) - for (Cat) - Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) (Upper Respiratory Illness.) They are not the same disease and symptoms are totally different as is the effectiveness of how the Lysine is utilized in the body for the disease as well. Not sure if that is the facts your referencing that would show no case studies of Lysine being effective for the human form of Herpes (actually there have been case studies of individuals taking Lysine before a herpes flare up and has shown to prevent the flare up from happening or dampening the symptoms.) With that being said, there are many studies that show positive results with the disease FVR in felines and the Lysine supplement benefiting the animal and the FVR symptoms, not curing it of course.

Read more... http://www.vetinfo.com/controlling-cat-herpes-l-lysine.html#b


How Do L-Lysine Supplements Work?

Viral infections grow when an individual virus takes control of a host cell and makes it use its resources to manufacture more viruses. The virus does this by injecting its DNA into the nucleus of the host cell. This strip of genetic material contains instructions that the cell's chemical machinery can use to build more viruses. The host cell, unable to distinguish between the viral DNA and its own, will continue to make more viruses until it bursts, releasing the viruses into the body to infect more cells.

An uninfected cell usually does not use much of a particular amino acid called arginine, while cells that are infected use a lot of it to make more copies of the virus. The cell's natural chemical process that uses arginine is limited by the quantity of L-Lysine (another amino acid) that's available. By giving daily L-Lysine supplements to your cat, you increase the quantity of L-Lysine available for the cat's cells to use, which means that the cell uses more arginine for its natural functions. This leaves less arginine available for the production of the cat herpes virus, thereby slowing the growth of the infection.

Hope this helps.

Thanks admin for the info.

 

[Posh Punk]

We do, every day!

 

[Leanda]

We brought Nero in because he was sneezing and coughing and had runny goopy eye, just one. VET said it was most likely conjunctivitis, and that he had herpes probably from mom. so l-lysine was suggested to be given as our daily supplement, now 3 months later he still has the runny goopy eye, but the coughing and sneezing is gone.

Cilla has had a squinty eye all the time we've had her. She's 16 months old now. I had consulted our local vets (we live 1800km from our capital city) each time we visited and was reassured it would probably resolve itself. At her 12 month checkup, I pursued the issue again and our vet showed some concern. He consulted a specialist and we started treating her with cortisone tablets and gel. We didn't see much improvement so I made an appointment for her with the specialist in Brisbane as we were going there over Easter. So glad we did. She had ulcers in her eyes from cat herpes. New treatment of antibiotics, antivirals and new eye gel has worked wonders.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

That is great you sought more medical advice. No doubt your baby is feeling better. As much as we all love our vets, there comes a time that we might sense things might need a second opinion. Kudos to you for making sure you baby is happier/healthier.


Patti

 

[Ickushouse]

Thanks, Patti, for this thread and everyone who has contributed. We do not use L-Lysine now, but we will sure try it if Eudo has any problems.

 

[Nicolemorgan]

We have all of our kitties on L-Lysine treats daily. The nakeds LOVE them, the furkitties are hit and miss and will only eat them sometimes. We asked our vet what she thought of us giving them L-Lysine treats daily and she thought it was a great idea and said it most definitely could not hurt!

 

[Sphynx4sure]

I used to give it daily because my babe got horribly sick after I brought her home. She continued to sneeze and have one watery eye. I wasn't sure why, so I gave L-lysine every day. I have since switched food and she no longer has these symptoms so I quit the L-lysine. I think it was food allergies.

 

[Joneswifey]

I just ordered some and plan to use it daily

 

[amikhaylov4]

I use it in the form of treats with both my boys!

 

[Gesundheit]

I'll use it if my vet prescribes it, but other than that, nope.

 

[captain_tinky]

Use it daily. Vet recommended powder form.

 

[Wig]

I was just answering a new member's post about L-Lysine. I think when new members read about L-Lysine it can be confusing because herpes is usually mentioned in the articles along with it. Just a quick show of hands...lol. Who uses L-Lysine daily as a supplement with their babies?

ME!

Twice daily!

 

[Embracing-Joyx4]

I think maintenance does makes sense. I have stopped daily does 2xs daily powder to just treats and I'm the winter months will start powder again. Thankfully everyone has been healthy

 

[Blueyz]

I haven't seen this mentioned, so hopefully this tip can be of help. Both of my girls get 250mg of L-Lysine daily, mixed with their last meal of the day, the wet stuff. It's easy to mix in and tasteless, so they don't even know it's there. Now, here's the tip... You can buy L-Lysine in the health supplement section of your local drug store, for a fraction of the cost of "pet" L-Lysine. As a matter of fact, I just went online (pipingrock.com) and found a 1 pound container for $8.99. It is the exact same thing that I found on entirelypets.com, accept they are selling the same quantity for $99.83. I hope this helps.

 

[deanna]

i do everyday

 

[Alouette]

I give Elise 250mg daily, in the form of treats. Speaking of, does anyone else use the clover brand 'Spry' l-lysine treats? Elise goes absolutely NUTS for them, and they're grain free and limited ingredients, but I'm not sure whether they're an effective means of getting lysine into her or whether the powder is better for her body to use/more absorbable/higher quality... Any opinions?

 

[Trisha]

I just noticed my kitten Gemma was sneezing this morning. I've just had her a few days and this is the first she's been sneezing. I'm a little concerned and came here to see what to do... perhaps l-lysine?

 

[Yoda mom]

Awh- healing wishes-
Has she had a vet check since you got her? It's not common for kitty colds URI when first come home-
Did you call your vet? Sometimes meds on board from the vet and supplementing with l-lysine powder works great!
Mine refused the Enisyl-f l lysine paste at my vet for &27 bucks

Now I give what Toby came with when I adopted him
250 mg for maintenance and 500 mg for showing signs is typical amount
Now brand 100% pure l-lysine in 1lb orange container $14 online-
Many food brands just make sure 100% pure l-lysine
Always consult with vet first
I kept my kitties separated when first home and give l-lysine

 

[Xandria]

@Trisha, definitely start on the lysine.

I give Max 500 mg twice daily when he was sniffly (his first few weeks here), and after that 250 mg twice daily for maintenance.

Gemma will feel better soon. Hugs.

 

[Trisha]

Thanks guys! I took her to the vet Monday for a quick check cuZ she came home Saturday, and she was fine. It wasn't until this morning that she started sneezing. I have to take Dex in for an echo tomorrow so I'll ask them what they think. It's just so cold here and she's so tiny, I hate taking her out, even though I hear up the blankets and cave before I head out.

She was pretty sneezy when I got home from work. But then she let out a BIG sneeze and hasn't sneezed since. She's been running around like a maniac!

 

[Sphnxophelia]

We use it a couple times a week, But not daily. But we use it twice a day on food if they are sick or feeling ill.

 

[Ailin]

I give my little Bella lysine as well. But my question is you are talking about mixing it with your food. I feed Bella dry so when I mix it with her food I have to put some kind of cat gravy in with it. What are you guys feeding?