Ask a Vet!

[Karen]

I have one. I know that herpes eye virus in cats can't be cured and that lysine will sometimes help. What other things can I do to help prevent an outbreak of this in my cats? Since I now own 10 cats, they've been having many more eye infections than they ever used to. I got rid of the Chlamydia infections but then all of my younger cats broke out with what my vet thinks is the herpes eye infection. First it was Finnegan, then Radar, then Rory, then Reece, and then Colby. Right now they all seem fine again but for how long. I also know that stress will cause outbreaks. I was told by the pharmacy tech that it's happening because they are young cats so their immune systems aren't as good.

They both agreed that making sure everything is completely disinfected - all surfaces, etc., while everyone is healthy, and then work on adding immune-boosting supplements to their diets. They mentioned several different over-the-counter type ones, and next time an outbreak happens, get it tested to be SURE it is the herpes virus, there ARE tests for it, and if it is or is not, there are different methods of treatment. Again, of course the audio files have more.

After Clover was spayed (like the day she was home) she drank a bunch of water until she had a large belly and I started to limit it for her a little. I assumed it had to do with her belly hurting. Anyway, she still gets this now and then where she just won't stop drinking. It's happened a few more times, and again today - her belly is bloated looking. I looked up symptoms for bloat, but she seems fine other then the large belly and thirst. If it's just an upset belly then is there something I can do to prevent her from over drinking? Is it harmful to drink that much?

Drinking that much is not necessarily harmful, but it is a clear sign that something is wrong. They worried about her liver function, which if it is off can make her *think* she needs to drink to cool her tummy off. It is a cause for a vet trip, and probably a blood test. Dr. Carol mentioned that, because it started right after her spay, the anesthesia may have done some liver damage, it happens in some dogs.

Also, yes, the fish oil capsule could absolutely cause the runny poop - get her checked out, and certainly don't give her another until everything checks out okay!

Karen, would you please ask your vets if they have any thoughts on how I can get Sparkler OUT from inside the bedsprings-box where she has been hiding so much of the time?
Thanks,
Pat and Sparkler and the other kitties

Both vets agreed that, given everything that going on with Sparkler, you need to get her out from there, even if you have to pull her (gently) out, and keep her for the time being in a small, confined space, usually a bathroom works best, so you can see her, and administer meds as needed. Later in the show we talked about aromatherapy for horses, and lavender was mentioned as a calming scent/oil for all mammals, so some lavender stem or a lavender candle, or lavender scent dabbed onto your hands while you pet her may help calm her, and help the transition form in the boxspring to her new convalescing spot.

We also talked about Slick's Merlin's diagnosis, and what she can do, and about Spot's facing chemotherapy and his cancer, so I'll be emailing audio files to them, too!

Hope this helps!