Feline Occular Herpes

[GraceLikeRain]

I needed another cat the same way most horse people need another saddle pad “absolutely not! …well if you twist my arm, I guess who can say no!” and somehow I got six adolescents.

They turned out to be parasite city - fleas, ticks, lice, wicked ear mites, and two had tapeworms. One needed emergency eye removal. Another had multiple spllit paw pads and double ear and mouth infection. The last I trapped hid for 36 hours in his quarantine cage but the second we made eye contact my first thought was “this isn’t going to be cheap”. Both eyes had prominent third eyelids and were very hazy like a dirty window.

Vet appointment the next day showed no signs of scratches or ulcers and I received 3 weeks of anti-virals for occular herpes. The vet seemed confident that he would start looking normal in a week or so. We are now day 17 and showing not a hint of improvement. His appetite is great. Normal bowel movements. Never had a fever, discharge, lethargy, or anything else that would make me think herpes virus.

He has two large patches where I think he is starting to lick bald patches because living in complete isolation outside of human check-ins has to be really stressful for an adolescent who is used to living in a colony setting. I feel awful keeping him isolated if it isn’t herpes but am equally scared about what would create his bizarre eyes if it isn’t herpes.

I’m taking him back to the vet Thursday. Any suggestions on alternative things I should ask about or pursue? Has anyone ever had occular herpes without a single other symptom?

[Marshfield]

My last kitty patient with a herpes associated ulcer had to go on oral famcyclovir for it to start clearing

[shayaalliard]

Mine came with one eye destroyed (I had it removed). The other eye is milky from scarring, long past the initial flare. She can see some, not a lot. Doesn’t bother her.

My last one, we saved both eye, but both were milky from scars as well. He also had damage that caused him to have tear stains- I wiped his eyes daily. His vision was basically normal.

Yours might not be flaring right now, but may have scarring. Feeding lysine helps keep the virus in check. Muffin had to have it every day, Abbi only needed it during her intital flare- has not had another.

[shiloh]

One of my kitties has this. I just thought she had a simple eye infection. Not so much. I was horrified to find out what she had but I was very fortunate to get a vet that loves eye problem. Got immediate diagnosis, put on clindamycin which worked immediately. Also, was told not to stress her, because this makes it flare. She has eye drops for her very dry eyes and those help. Famcyclovir works and the lysine is also helpful if you can get it into him.

I was told that 86% of all cats have herpes but whether or not it shows is iffy. Hers (and apparently your cat’s) settled in their eyes. Jingling for your kitty. Just to let you know it’s been many years since my cat was diagnosed and she is doing very well. She loves to look out the windows and sees most excellently.