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Will I need to go every time?

ultra_stella

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This morning I noticed Stella's eyes were slightly watery. First reaction is "Here we go again." I noticed she was rubbing them slightly. Therefore, I'm thinking she might be ready for another flare up with her feline herpes. It's only been a week and few days since her last dose of Terramycin and almost two weeks since her last dose of Famcyclovir. She has been on Lysine since her visit a month ago and will continue to be on it for the rest of her life. I don't get it. :( I try to keep her as comfortable as she can be and I'm always by her side. We give her so much love and affection. I don't take her to my parents as often as I use to in case traveling contributed to her stress, even though she gets so much love and comfort there as well (after all, she was living there with me before we moved out).

I wonder if I need to take her to the ophthalmology clinic each time she has a flare up? The past two times she had a reaction I took her in, but she also had a swollen eye from rubbing it. Will she need the Terramycin and other treatments each time she has a flare up? Is the Lysine not enough? I will do everything I can to make sure she gets better, but I'm wondering if going to the clinic is necessary each time she has a flare up.
 

Mews2much

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My Meeko has herpes and it is in a flare up right now also.
You do not need to take her to the vet every time it happens.
You can have the vet give you meds for when it happens.
That is what I do with Meeko.
It seems this time of the year is the worse for her.
 

ultra_stella

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My Meeko has herpes and it is in a flare up right now also.
You do not need to take her to the vet every time it happens.
You can have the vet give you meds for when it happens.
That is what I do with Meeko.
It seems this time of the year is the worse for her.

You mean I can request to have the same meds she was on previously? I still have the Terramycin but I am out of the pills. I have her E Collar from the last visit. I was wondering if I put it on her now, it will lower the risk of having a swollen eye and developing ulcers. She had three small ulcers in the past but they cleared up according to the last visit.
 
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Mews2much

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You can put the color on her now before it gets real bad.
My vet lets me get the same meds because Meeko has had herpes for a long time.
Did you get the stain test to find out what type of herpes it is?
 

ultra_stella

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You can put the color on her now before it gets real bad.
My vet lets me get the same meds because Meeko has had herpes for a long time.
Did you get the stain test to find out what type of herpes it is?

The stain test was done the past three times (ER visit and two scheduled visits), and they said it was to detect if she had any ulcers. As for what the type of herpes. . . that I am unsure about. On the description here from the very first visit (the ER visit), it said they thought she had a chlamydial infection. The second visit, they wrote "As we discussed, Stella has a corneal ulcer and conjunctivitis affecting the right eye. Feline herpes infection is a common virus affecting cats which can result in ocular and upper respiratory infections." The third visit, it says "Stella was previously diagnosed with feline herpes. Feline herpes is a common virus affecting cats which can result in ocular and upper respiratory infections."

Nothing about what type, but they were optimistic that her ulcers would clear and they did.
 

Brooke

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This morning I noticed Stella's eyes were slightly watery. First reaction is "Here we go again." I noticed she was rubbing them slightly. Therefore, I'm thinking she might be ready for another flare up with her feline herpes. It's only been a week and few days since her last dose of Terramycin and almost two weeks since her last dose of Famcyclovir. She has been on Lysine since her visit a month ago and will continue to be on it for the rest of her life. I don't get it. :( I try to keep her as comfortable as she can be and I'm always by her side. We give her so much love and affection. I don't take her to my parents as often as I use to in case traveling contributed to her stress, even though she gets so much love and comfort there as well (after all, she was living there with me before we moved out).

I wonder if I need to take her to the ophthalmology clinic each time she has a flare up? The past two times she had a reaction I took her in, but she also had a swollen eye from rubbing it. Will she need the Terramycin and other treatments each time she has a flare up? Is the Lysine not enough? I will do everything I can to make sure she gets better, but I'm wondering if going to the clinic is necessary each time she has a flare up.

Helen has the same problem. Most days her eyes will be fine and then out of the blue they will be watering like crazy. When that happens, I double her lysine dose for a couple of days and (like Mews2Much) I have antibiotic/steroid eye drops for her, and usually the next day she is fine again. I don't take her to the vet every time it happens - I would be in the poor house! (When I get home later, I'll PM you the name of the drops, they work great)

I don't get it. :( I try to keep her as comfortable as she can be and I'm always by her side. We give her so much love and affection. I don't take her to my parents as often as I use to in case traveling contributed to her stress, even though she gets so much love and comfort there as well (after all, she was living there with me before we moved out).

Please don't blame yourself or worry that anything you are doing is causing this! You're doing everything you can possibly do for her, and there is no way to cure or completely avoid the FHV flare ups. Trust me, it would be a lot worse if you weren't doing what you're doing, so keep up the good work!

I would take her in to the clinic if her symptoms don't improve after a day or two or if there is a lot of swelling and redness, since she's had a history of ulcers.

Good luck to Stella!
 

ultra_stella

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Yesterday was day one of lowering her dose of Lysine. I gave it to her once (which should be 250mg. I'm finishing off the tube before considering the treats you mentioned). Today, I will give it to her twice just in case. Will I need to have the eye antibiotic/steroid eye drops approved by the doctor before giving them to her?

I might need to make a trip to Petco and get the plastic collar. I know she's smart enough to bend the cloth one back and have access to her eyes (I've caught her several times doing this!). Thank you all for your advice! I appreciate it! I hope she isn't having a flare up and it's just from waking up! : )

As for being in the poor house. . . I'll make room for anyone else who wants to join me. :LOL: Her visits were certainly pricey, but I will do whatever it takes to make sure she is treated.
 

ultra_stella

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PitRottMommy

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I thought I'd throw something out there for those of you having problems with Herpes, the basis has been covered with using L-lysine (which you essentially cannot overdo it on).

We've had alot of benefit with using 1:10 dilution betadine solution to a bottle of thera tears. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10534592

I can't recommend doing this at home, but I thought I'd mention it to those of you who frequently have herpes flare ups. It may be something to discuss with the veterinarian who is treating your cats.

Best of luck!
 

Mews2much

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I know what you mean about vet bills.
Coco got very sick last week and cost me $1000.
It is harder to tell if the brown stuff is normal in a sphynx.
The vet will have to approve it.
My vet gives me 3 refills at a time because it is a on going thing with Meeko.
 

ultra_stella

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I thought I'd throw something out there for those of you having problems with Herpes, the basis has been covered with using L-lysine (which you essentially cannot overdo it on).

We've had alot of benefit with using 1:10 dilution betadine solution to a bottle of thera tears. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10534592

I can't recommend doing this at home, but I thought I'd mention it to those of you who frequently have herpes flare ups. It may be something to discuss with the veterinarian who is treating your cats.

Best of luck!

Is this something that would be done daily (if approved by the vet)?
 

Brooke

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Brooke,
Can you please let me now what the drops are?

No problem, M2M. Whenever Helen is having a flare up, I give her the drops twice a day and she's usually fine again the next day or two. I'll be home in a few hours and let you both know what they're called. By the way, Helen's discharge is always clear, sometimes really watery and sometimes thick, but it's never been brown like in your pictures of Meeko.

Yesterday was day one of lowering her dose of Lysine. I gave it to her once (which should be 250mg. I'm finishing off the tube before considering the treats you mentioned). Today, I will give it to her twice just in case. Will I need to have the eye antibiotic/steroid eye drops approved by the doctor before giving them to her?

As for being in the poor house. . . I'll make room for anyone else who wants to join me. :LOL: Her visits were certainly pricey, but I will do whatever it takes to make sure she is treated.

Yes, I'd up the lysine dose to 500mg until her eyes look better. The drops are prescribed by my vet - I don't think you can get them without a prescription. The good news, I don't remember them being very expensive! (Hey, every little bit helps!!)
 

ultra_stella

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I know what you mean about vet bills.
Coco got very sick last week and cost me $1000.
It is harder to tell if the brown stuff is normal in a sphynx.
The vet will have to approve it.
My vet gives me 3 refills at a time because it is a on going thing with Meeko.

Oh wow! Poor kitties. I hope Coco is much better, and I hope Meeko's eyes improve!
 

ultra_stella

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No problem, M2M. Whenever Helen is having a flare up, I give her the drops twice a day and she's usually fine again the next day or two. I'll be home in a few hours and let you both know what they're called. By the way, Helen's discharge is always clear, sometimes really watery and sometimes thick, but it's never been brown like in your pictures of Meeko.



Yes, I'd up the lysine dose to 500mg until her eyes look better. The drops are prescribed by my vet - I don't think you can get them without a prescription. The good news, I don't remember them being very expensive! (Hey, every little bit helps!!)

I'm constantly snapping my fingers or making ridiculous high pitched noises to get Stella's attention so she widens her eyes at me, just so I can check to see if either one is squinting (maybe momma's embarrassment stressed her out, lol). She was perfectly fine for a week. Only this morning did I notice watery eyes. The vet saw her brown discharge the last time, so they are fully aware of it. I guess I should of been more clear about the brown gunk I saw the other day. It wasn't liquid or dripping. They were just eye boogers, and it wasn't thick. It looked like normal eye boogers. I will be sure to call the vet tomorrow and ask about the eye drops both you and Pittrottmommy mentioned.

Thank you Mews2much, Brooke, and Pittrottmommy!
 

Mews2much

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Your Welcome
Thanks for caring about Coco and Meeko.
Coco was given 5 months to live last Jan.
 

ultra_stella

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Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry :( but Coco is obviously a strong kitty for already beating out what the vet has said!
 

PitRottMommy

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Is this something that would be done daily (if approved by the vet)?

Usually as needed during a flare up. In general, we refill the bottles every 2 years because the medication reduces the frequency of flareups and also lasts a long time. This is one of those rare instances where human eye medications can be used for cats, but only by direction of a veterinarian.

I hope this helps someone :)
 

ultra_stella

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Usually as needed during a flare up. In general, we refill the bottles every 2 years because the medication reduces the frequency of flareups and also lasts a long time. This is one of those rare instances where human eye medications can be used for cats, but only by direction of a veterinarian.

I hope this helps someone :)

So this is created at the vets office? I clicked the link you posted and saw the Thera Tears. The "dilution betadine solution" is something you all add to the bottle of Thera Tears?
 

PitRottMommy

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So this is created at the vets office? I clicked the link you posted and saw the Thera Tears. The "dilution betadine solution" is something you all add to the bottle of Thera Tears?

Yep. Your vet may have a veterinary provided eye drops...but we've used Thera Tears in the past. It can cut down on the cost for the owner, in some cases. We ask that the bottle be presented in un-opened condition and then we instill the 1:10 solution of betadine directly into the bottle and, presto!, ready to go home with owner.
 

kerrie78

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Stella - We were going through the exact thing that with Kramer & finally my 2 doctor friends & I couldn't take it anymore & took him to an eye specialist.... turns out he wasn't having herpes flare ups.... it was a Chlamydia infection. After almost 1 week of his new meds his eye stays open MOST of the time... he has to stay on it for 3 weeks to clear the infection.
 

ultra_stella

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Yep. Your vet may have a veterinary provided eye drops...but we've used Thera Tears in the past. It can cut down on the cost for the owner, in some cases. We ask that the bottle be presented in un-opened condition and then we instill the 1:10 solution of betadine directly into the bottle and, presto!, ready to go home with owner.

Well cool, thank you. I'll bring that up to the vet!
 

ultra_stella

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Stella - We were going through the exact thing that with Kramer & finally my 2 doctor friends & I couldn't take it anymore & took him to an eye specialist.... turns out he wasn't having herpes flare ups.... it was a Chlamydia infection. After almost 1 week of his new meds his eye stays open MOST of the time... he has to stay on it for 3 weeks to clear the infection.

Poor Kramer! They thought Stella had a chlamydia infection, but a month later they said it was feline herpes. Either way, it's all bad and I just hope we can figure out the best way to treat our kitties.
 
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