Preggo kitty wandered onto my porch! *started a new thread*

[Malibu's Mom]

Well, I made an appointment for her eye with my second choice vet for 3:20 tomorrow. I just want to get it taken care of as soon as possible. I really wanted to avoid the stress but I need to get it checked out before she has her kittens. Hopefully everything goes well.

Anyway... we finally decide on a name. We considered all of the PT suggestions (thanks all!) , but ultimately decided on one - Sophia. I suggested that her full name should be Miss Sophia Loren. I know it means "wisdom" and she does have that wise, been-there-done that attitude about her, even if she isn't that old.

[luvofallhorses]

I hope everything goes ok with her eye. That's a beautiful name!

[Malibu's Mom]

I am SO glad I made that appointment with one of my favorite vets. She could almost immediately tell that she had an ulcer in her right eye and the beginning of one in the left. She stained her eye to confirm it. She is 99% positive that she has herpes. The stress of going to the vet, being pregnant, in a new place etc probably caused an outbreak. And this of course means her kittens will have it too, which makes rehoming a little more difficult. But I know that cats with herpes can live full, happy lives just like people can. I'll have to start doing some research on it, since I can't help but be a little worried about transfer to my own cats. She gave her some antibiotic ointment to put right in to her eye, and some L-Lysine powder that will hopefully help. Poor girl... if she had just been spayed and kept inside none of this would be happening.

[cassiesmom]

Oh, no! Poor Sophia! Good on you for taking care of her. I hope the kittens are herpes virus negative, if that's possible.

[sasvermont]

Well, that stinks, herpes eh? I suppose it could be worse. I don't know much about the virus except that it is a virus and that most cats have exposure to it a some time in the life. I hope all settles down and the kittens and momma cat can have a pleasant several weeks with you while the kittens grow. I hope the eye problem clears quickly.

So glad you made that vet appointment so quickly. Wow. I am surprised but then again, a throw away kitty is exposed to SO much.

No kittens yet? Keep us posted.

[jennielynn1970]

Poor girl.... and she asked for none of this to be happening to her. Her former owners need a slap upside the head for not taking better care of her!!!

I used to give l-Lysine to my one FIV kitty. I actually take it myself because I get cold sores (herpes simplex type 1). Foods like chicken and eggs are high in it as well. So, you may want to make some home made chicken "mousse" for her as well. I make it for my FIV+ kitty who has no teeth. Bake chicken thighs (cheaper than boneless, and you get more meat for your money), take out the one bone that they have in them. Put in food processor with the liquid you baked them in, and whirr it up. Chill in the fridge and just serve small portions with a spoon. My guy loves his chicken mousse!

[Malibu's Mom]

Ugh, had such a rough night. Nothing to do with Sophia. My beautiful budgie Claudette, who I had for several years, passed away suddenly last night. Just fell from her perch and died within a few minutes before I had time to call the emergency vet. Had to bury her at 11:00 clock at night. Still crying about it today.

No kittens yet. Thinking of taking her temperature daily. When it drops they usually have them within 24 hrs.

The herpes really surprised me too. Just wasn't expecting it. But I am actually kind of glad she had an outbreak so I discovered it and I can treat it, plus now I know not to let her interact with the other cats. She is NOT enjoying the eye ointment! But it's for her own good. At least she likes the powder on her food. I think it tastes like fish.

@jenn - thank you so much for the advice and the recipe! I really appreciate it.