At first it was "cute"

[CountAllVotes]

My old kitty about to turn 17 (?) has this chronic herpes infection in both eyes. This has been going on for some time now. I've tried everything to put a halt to it with no luck, including buying those very expensive l-lysine treats and giving her this immune building supplement called "Missing Link".

The only thing that seems to help her is to bathe the eyes with cotton balls that have warm water on them. These compresses remove the gunk coming out of the eyes and give her great relief.

At first, she hated this! I had to chase her around the house and play games with her for hours to catch her.

However, things have now changed, oh yes.

She has decided that she likes having her eyes washed now. When I get up, she is right there in my face blinking her eyes as if to beg to have them washed and so I do.

Now it has gotten out of hand. She was moaning into the night last night wanting me to get up and wash her eyes. She wouldn't stop moaning so I got up and washed her eyes with the warm compresses at 3:00 a.m. She then had a bite to eat and went to bed and fell asleep. (hmph!)

This is really turning into a nightmare as we really do need our sleep around here! I sure wish there was something I could do for old kitty. I've noted the skin cancers are coming back on her temples as well.

Surgery on the cancer lesions is likely not an option at her age. :(

Oh what to do with my poor old kitty?

[japple]

1. Maybe you could heat up some saline and put it in a thermos,

then keep it in the bathroom next to the cotton balls, so that when you get up in the night, everything will be ready for you to wipe her eyes.

From one who has chronic herpes outbreaks, I cannot imagine having it in my eyes. It is bad enough to have it topically--the pain, burning, tingling, and itching. Zovirax ointment and Valtrex help tremendously. Isn't there any kind of ointment the vet can prescribe that might help her be more comfortable? I wish I had answers for you.

[CountAllVotes]

3. that is a good idea!

It takes awhile for the water to get hot. She has to wait while it cools a bit. This would make it faster no doubt. I'll give this idea a try.

As for options, the l-lysine seems to help many cats with this problem (called feline herpes). I think it isn't helping her much as she is so old and likely a bit run down perhaps (although you'd never know it - she was tossing toys around the living room a little while ago).

And Stinky the Clown, thanks for the kinds words! :)

[Stinky The Clown]

2. "Oh what to do with my poor old kitty? "

Love her as you clearly do.

I'll bet that's all she wants.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Awwww. Poor little girl. Guess it must feel soooo good when you clean her eyes....

I give my cats lysine in every meal..open the capsules and put it in their food.

Perhaps if you increase the l-lysine dosage, and include some probiotics....that are good for the immune system...you will get some results, and be able to sleep thru the night

[bettyellen]

7. yes, powdered lysine capsules and probiotics will help some I bet

good luck!

[travelingtypist]

5. Enjoy her. Eye care isn't terminal.

My 17-year-old kitty has liver cancer. I'm struggling to give her antibiotics and steroids in these last days and enjoying listening to her purr at me as she lays in her bed and tells me that yes, Mom, those pills made me feel a little better.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. awww. That makes me so sad. I hope that you both are able to enjoy every minute

of love and peace that you have together. :cry: :hug: :loveya:

[CountAllVotes]

10. sorry to hear about your old kitty

:cry:

God bless you for taking such good care of her during her last days.

You are right, this eye problem is not terminal. However, the cancerous lesions on her head will only worsen. How soon is the question. :(

[Lisa0825]

8. Is kitty on any antivirals? If not, has it been discussed with the vet?

I have read that it is an option, but of course all cases are unique.

[CountAllVotes]

9. no, she's not on any drugs

She actually seems a bit better today. I didn't need to wash her eyes when I got up but she was following me around the house wanting them to be washed. She ate a ton of turkey for Xmas and another ton of turkey yesterday and likely more today.

Maybe it is the turkey cure? Hard to say.

All the vet recommended has been the l-lysine.

Perhaps the Missing Link is helping? :shrug: