pet and eyes

Question
Thank you for reading this. I have several cats 8. 5 that are in older years. I adopted 3 outside cats, 1 was starving to death, other had found way into basement and was dieing of kidney infection, third had wound on foot and I was able to trap and treat with medication from local shelter/pet owner.  They all new ones are the only ones who have been outside ever, I cannot remember if the other 5 had coughs hacks before I got the 3 but they all do now. I do have a dog that goes outside in fenced yard when she has to go. The cats them to vet and they say its in thier head not chest.  I asked about snuffles I heard it is disease terminal to cats from show overseas.  They said it's not that.  They all eat well, except for the very oldest cat shes probly 18.  She is the smallest boned cat.  Well my cat that got into basement was in hospital for 8 days.  That was 2 years ago.  He has started to get crust in his eyes, and other day I noticed he had tearing also.  Some of the others are outright sneezing not constantly but will during day or night when sleeping on my chest (not fun). When I take them in they never have temperature. Can I get some type ointment for his eyes or do I need a perscription?  I even asked could they treat all of them for whatever they have and she said if its virus, it would have no effect.  Can I buy a ointment for this antibotic for his eyes?

Answer
Hi Linda,

Yes, you can buy an antibiotic for his eyes.  It's called Terramycin, and it's available through many websites including:

www.drsfostersmith.com
www.entirelypets.com (usually least expensive if buying in multiples)
www.calvetsupply.com

It's used like most antibiotic eye ointments - pull the lower lid down and apply a 1/4-inch strip into the pocket 3 times daily for 10 days.  This ointment treats a broad spectrum of bacterial infections, but like the vet said, it won't treat VIRAL conjunctivitis (pink-eye).  As you probably know, bacterial infections almost always follow along with the viral ones, so your kitties are probably suffering a combination of both, and the bacterial component should be treated.  

However, to treat the viral component, I would strongly recommend that you supplement your kitties with a lysine product.  I use Viralys products with my cats.  Enisyl-F products are also good. These are both products that contain the amino acid, lysine, formulated just for use in cats.  Cats need lysine to build antibodies to fight illnesses.  It will help them build resistance against any infection they may be dealing with.  But I think there's a good chance, based on the symptoms, that you could be dealing with feline herpes, and if that's so, the lysine will be of an even greater benefit.  Lysine will prevent the herpes virus from replicating.  With less virus circulating, symptoms will start to fade.  It should shorten the duration of the flare up.  You should begin to see improvement in a few days' use.  It's best to use lysine supplements for at least two weeks after all symptoms have disappeared.  Because cats become permanent carriers of herpes, you may need to use the lysine periodically when symptoms flare up again.

If you choose not to use a lysine product formulated for cats, you can also use human lysine, available at any pharmacy.  The dose for an adult cat is generally 500mg twice a day (there is no risk of overdose to a petite cat).  This is half the typical tablet.  The pills are too large to give as tablets and will need to be ground up and mixed into canned food.

Good luck!

Jessica