10 Days on Antibiotics: Kitty's Pink Eye Still There

[Bevo71]

Granted, it seems like one eye gets better then the other flares up. She seemed to get a little better, but then it started again. She never was totally clear. I had a new tube of the erythromyacin sent to me mid week last week. I also started Angel on the Lycine twice a day a week ago.

Now what? Kitty opthamologist?

[tiffers]

...has the eye been stained for ulcerations? Has the kitty's eye been checked for Extropion or Entropion? Before jumping to a specialist, try a different veterinarian.

[Bevo71]

The vet on call ( I took Angel in on a Sunday...didnt see the regular vet)squirted some liquid into her eyes when examining them Not sure what that was for. She gave me the antibiotic and said if that didnt owkr, maybe she neeed to se an opthamologist.

Anyway, I took her back to see my vet and he advised continuing with the antibiotic. No mention of Extropion or Entropion. He is a highly regarded vet, but I think he is more into dogs than kitties.

At this point,I am wondering if she is reacting to the medication.

[special]

My cat with herpes eyes, so many things were tried on him, that he can no longer tolerate anything in his eyes at all.

I consulted three vets before finally seeing a feline opthomologist at Cornell University Companion Animal Hospital. That's where he was properly diagnosed and prescribed the l-lysine 500 mg daily. the l-lysine has controlled the herpes for 6 years, so far.

The vet probalby was putting numbing drops in Angel's eyes. have they done a culture test for herpes? the l-lysine won't help unless that's what the problem is.

I'd go for the specialist. I wasted a lot of time and money, going to one vet after another. Not to mention all the stress on me and my cat. wished I'd gone to the opthamologist first.

I am sorry you are having all this trouble with your Angel. I know you must be so worried for her. Eye problems can be so scary.

[special]

PS I meant to aks if Angel has been tested for FIV and FeLV. that's usually one of the first things vets do when cats present with resistant eye or other URI infections.

here is a link with some information you may find useful.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1344&articleid=2733.

[Bevo71]

She was tested when I bought her back in November. She is close to 7 months old.

I had her spayed on Friday, March 28. I picked her up on Saturday, and then took her back to the vet with the eye problem that Sunday. This has been going on since then to varying degrees.

[lindsayanng]

heres another thing to think about..

Has the cat been sick before, or sick more often than a cat should be?? Has she been treated for upper respiratory infections, allergies, colds, or anythings like that in the past year or two?

The reason i ask is that my cat, chili cat, was diagnosed with bartonella, but she was sick and on off for a year and antibiotics did the trick with each different symptom, but then something else would come back and she would be sick again. It was never anything more than a cold here and there.. but just recently, chili cat's third eyelids were ALWAYS half closed. They put her on a full course of antibiotics and eye drops to hopefully cure it. I did it exctly the way they said and there were absolutely NO CHANGES... this is what spurred my vet to test for Bartonella. he tested and she was positive. He said he wasnt completely sure if that was causing the third eyelids to be showing, but it is common that if the cat has been infected for some time, that this happens and is VERY persistent. So she came back positive for Bartonella and we started her on the 21 day course of antibiotics. Within ONE WEEK here eyes were back to normal and she is a completely different kitten..

So i think its important to think about how your cat's health has been in the past year or so and see if there is anythingthat they wrote off as bad luck, allergies, or cold weather. If so, then i might test for bartonella. Also, if your cat was once a stray, or was in a shelter, it is very possible she has it.. the thing is, cats can carry it for a LOONNG time before they show symptomes, but once they start showing symptoms, they will not get rid of them and they need to be treated.

[lindsayanng]

OOPS i made a duplicate post.. cpu glitch

[tiffers]

I had her spayed on Friday, March 28. I picked her up on Saturday, and then took her back to the vet with the eye problem that Sunday.
She may be having a reaction to the type of Artificial Tears or Mineral Oil/Lubrication they put in her eyes during surgery. After Catillac's spay, she had red eyes for nearly a month after surgery...many cats have red eyes/teary eyes a month or so after surgery.

[Bevo71]

Tonight, she is having more trouble with her right eye. I am going to try to get her to an opthalmologist on Monday. Hopefully, i wont need a referral.

[tiffers]

Most specialists require referrals, which you'll need to get from your regular veterinarian. I do wish you the best, and hope that all is well and nothing horirble is going on with your kitty's eye.

[special]

Tonight, she is having more trouble with her right eye. I am going to try to get her to an opthalmologist on Monday. Hopefully, i wont need a referral.

I think you are making a good choice, but you may need to call your vet first for the referal (as already mentioned) we'll be here waiting to know what you find out.

[Bevo71]

I made an appointment for my kitty cat. Talked with my vet and he is supportive of the decision. Cant get her in until next week. I will keep you all updated.

[special]

oh good, thanks for letting us know. the wait will be long, but then suddenly the day will be here! This is to see a veterinary opthamologist? I'll be watching this spot for news next week.

[lindsayanng]

awesome.. i cant wait to hear an update!

[Bevo71]

UPDATE:I was able to get her in to see a veterinary opthalmologist on Tuesday. She believes that Angel has herpes . She told me to go ahead and finish up the erythromycin sauve my regular vet prescribed, and she gave her a prescription for 2 weeks worth of Famvir. The doctor also told me that Angel would more than likely need to be on the Lysine for life.

She did say that Angel's case was currently mild, and that a little pinkness would probably be something she would have to deal with the rest of her life.

On a side note, while waiting to see the specialist, someone in the waiting area told me there were only 5 vet opthalmologists in the state of Texas, and 3 were in that vet clinic in Houston.

[special]

thanks so much for the update. Now you know what you're dealing with. I am unfamiliar with the medicine Famvir. What is it for (antibiotic? antiviral?) and what form does it take? (eye drop? pills?)

As for the l-lyisne, it does a great job of controlling the herpes. my cat has been on it six years now and almost never has an outbreak any more. Did they give you the "new" veterinary gel? (did I post those links in your thread already?)

[lindsayanng]

I'm glad you got the info you needed.. and you're LUCKY to be near such a great pet hospital.. many people arent as fortunate and have to drive REALLY far to get anywhere.

I cant offer any help on the situation, but i hope all turns out well, as it seems it should

[Bevo71]

Special-the Famvir generic is called Famciclovir. It is an antiviral pill. Angel gets 1/4th a pill every 12 hours for 2 weeks. The pamphlet states that it can be used for herpes zoster (shingles). It can also be used by humans.

As for the I-Lysine, it isin an upright canister with a spout, and is in a measured dose when I squirt it. not sure I have seen thelinks about the new gel version.