L-lysine enzyme supplement

Rhinotreitis is the illness that is caused by feline herpes virus (FHV). This is not the same virus as the human herpes virus and does not pass from cat to human. It is the primary cause of eye ulcers and upper respiratory disease in Persian cats, and cats in general. It is one of the vaccines given in three doses before kittens leave Donegal Cattery. It is also a vaccine administered yearly to adult cats at the cattery.

Unfortunately, the vaccine only offers some immunity and lessening of viral shedding. So some kitties will still go through life fighting off the symptomatic effects of the virus. According to my veterinarians there are newer strains of the virus that are becoming somewhat resistant to the vaccine making disease control that much more challenging.

One way to combat the symptoms of FHV is to add the enzyme L-lysine as a supplement. It helps to reduce spontaneous ocular viral shedding rates in latently infected cats that are experiencing reactivation of the virus, and possibly help reduce upper respiratory induced nasal mucous discharge. It can be given as a supplement dosed at 500mg twice a day for severe symptomology and a maintenance dose at 250mg-500mg once daily. You can purchase it in a loose powder or powder in a capsule, typically at the 500mg dosage. Solaray is the brand that I found dissolves the best in a spoonful of Beechnut chicken or turkey baby food or Avoderm Ocean Fish canned cat food.

There are also several treats that can be given containing L-lysine. Each cat has their own preference for various treats. I found the Vetri-lysine and Optixcare to be the most palatable.

The Optixcare is slightly more cost effective at 500mg per treat, whereas the Vetri-lysine offers a 250mg dose if your veterinarian determines that to be a good maintenance dose. The more stress a kitty is exposed to, the more likely they will need a maintenance dose of L-lysine.