Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Philip on October 08, 2011, 18:59:00 PM

Title: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Philip on October 08, 2011, 18:59:00 PM
My Christian has had a nasty nasal discharge. Poor thing has been sneezing a lot. Luckily his appetite and general wellbeing doesn't seem affected.

He is now on his 3rd course of antibiotics (changed from clavuseptin to doxicycline) and metacam.

I think or hope that he is starting to improve but want to try him on a L Lysine supplement as my research indicates it may be of use to reduce any possible viral load.

Just wondered if anyone had experience with L Lysine for their cat and whether there was a good response. Also wound a health food shop version be ok for cats.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Title: Re: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Amanda (mad4moggies) on October 08, 2011, 23:18:40 PM
They prescribe L Lysine at the referral centre i work at. They advise clients to purchase it from a chemist or health shop so this should be fine. Do you already have a dosage from your vets?
Title: Re: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Philip on October 08, 2011, 23:34:23 PM
The research I have done suggests a dose of 500mg once daily when the cat has a flare up of symptoms but a maintenance dose of 250mg.

I will check with my vets on Monday but I think I'm happy with that.

Just wasn't sure if human preparations would be suitable for felines.

Many thanks.
Title: Re: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on October 09, 2011, 00:09:16 AM
Definitely worth a try if the vet agrees, have they said what might be causing the discharge in the first place?
Title: Re: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Philip on October 09, 2011, 00:19:28 AM
Yes. Christian has been to the vets 3 times now.

It's a nasty rhinitis on the background of a possible herpes flare up.

The clavuseptin did improve his symptoms but didn't quite get rid of it fully.

Trying the doxycycline as it is useful in infections that don't respond to penicillins.

The response so far is encouraging.
Title: Re: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Amanda (mad4moggies) on October 09, 2011, 18:46:16 PM
One of my cats has recurrent rhinitis and Doxycycline works very well for him. You just have to make sure you give it before food or syringe water down afterwards as it can cause oesophagitis.

The other thing that can help is Bisolvon, an anti mucoidal powder that you sprinkle on food.

I hope Christian is feeling better soon.
Title: Re: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 09, 2011, 22:26:40 PM
I use Bisolven with Ducha as he caught cat flu from Napoleon last year and when he gets stressed his nose starts to block and run.
Title: Re: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Philip on October 10, 2011, 03:32:16 AM
I have used bisolvon before on my Delphi before she became very ill and was PTS in February.

Sadly it didn't do much, but her nasal discharge was clear and Christians is mucus. Although I have to say it has greatly diminished so I'm hoping he wont need it now.

He only sneezed once yesterday and only produced a tiny amount of mucus so hoping he's on the mend now.  ;D
Title: Re: L Lysine - Does it need to be a veterinary version or will a health shop version do ?
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 10, 2011, 13:22:00 PM
It takes sometime to work if they are bad and both Ducha and Napoleon were terrible and it wasnt clear and poor little devils were having probs eating and breathing