Lysine...what is it for?

fbodgrl · 01-06-2005, 05:30 PM

When I picked up my new cat today they gave me Lysine and instructions to feed 1/4 tsp a day for 14 days. They didn't say why or what it was for though, so I'm just wondering.

AddFran · 01-06-2005, 05:33 PM

Hmm, commonly given to cats with Herpes I believe.
I find it strange that the shelter gave these instructions to you with no reason.

Hopefully some others will be able to help more, but that sounds suspicious to me.

Is it labeled "L-Lysine"?

fbodgrl · 01-06-2005, 05:41 PM

Just Lysine on the bag and the instructions.

AddFran · 01-06-2005, 05:44 PM

I just did a search in google and only typed in the words "lysine" and "cats"
it gave these results:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=lysine%2C+cats

ALL pointing to herpes. They really should have told you what it was for. You should ask and see if they tell you the truth. That's something you should have been told about for your cats health and for your knowledge re: vet bills, etc.

I have never heard of that being issued at a shelter for no reason. That's strange.

coaster · 01-06-2005, 07:20 PM

bizarre they would give it to you with no explanation, but it's perfectly OK and helps to put the herpes back in remission. perhaps your cat had a URI when you got it.

you can also get the stuff at health food stores. it's commonly sold in 500 mg capsules. Dr. Jean advises 1500 mg a day during a herpes flare up. that sounds like a lot ... it's a full human dose. but I've used it with no ill effects.

fbodgrl · 01-06-2005, 07:42 PM

I'm thinking it may be related to URI. He doesn't have one now, but they said it is common for them to get them shortly after leaving. The guy didn't seem to concerned he said if you don't have enogh for 14 days, don't worry about it. If you have left over after 14 days you can just throw it out.

AngelZoo · 01-06-2005, 07:53 PM

That is indeed really strange, you should try to find out more information about exactly why they gave this to you.

Herpes can be a big deal, and contagious to any other cats, if your cat has it. It never goes away, your kitty will always have it, IF it does have it.

Yes it's L-Lysine which should be given, I've given that treatment myself.

coaster · 01-06-2005, 08:02 PM

do you know if your cat has been vaccinated? if so, and it's a URI, it SHOULD be mild and nothing to get overly concerned about. with time and lysine, it will clear up. you do have to know that it can come back periodically, esp. if the kitty is stressed. I read that 1 in 3 cats have a latent herpes infection, so if that's the case, it's pretty common. I suspect my two boys probably have it.

AddFran · 01-06-2005, 08:22 PM

Tim, I agree it's not going to hurt anything. I give it to my cat Addison now too. That's because she has health issues though.

It's very bizarre to send a cat home from a shelter with l-lysine and not give an explanation.

AddFran · 01-06-2005, 08:30 PM

As far as I know, URI's are not commonly treated with L-Lysine - especially through a shelter. Most shelter's do not commonly practice holistic vet treatment and I highly doubt they'd give Lysine for a URI.

This is something you should inquire about.

In terms of Herpes virus exposure and the virus being carried, it is common, this is true, but many cats don't have it and some that do may never display any symptoms. Others may constantly be bogged down with eye infections and uri's for a long time. It can be very serious and many times turns into secondary bacterial infections.

Here's a helpful link on URI's:
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/CCAH/Prog ... ts_URI.htm

01-06-2005, 05:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
fbodgrl Cat Addict Join Date: May 2004 Location: Eastpointe, MI Posts: 2,360	Lysine...what is it for? When I picked up my new cat today they gave me Lysine and instructions to feed 1/4 tsp a day for 14 days. They didn't say why or what it was for though, so I'm just wondering. __________________ ~Shelly~ http://www.myspace.com/fbodgrl Zoee, Zack, Lamar & Mateo's mom and Khan my Pit Bull Terrier

01-06-2005, 05:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
fbodgrl Cat Addict Join Date: May 2004 Location: Eastpointe, MI Posts: 2,360	Just Lysine on the bag and the instructions. __________________ ~Shelly~ http://www.myspace.com/fbodgrl Zoee, Zack, Lamar & Mateo's mom and Khan my Pit Bull Terrier

01-06-2005, 07:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
fbodgrl Cat Addict Join Date: May 2004 Location: Eastpointe, MI Posts: 2,360	I'm thinking it may be related to URI. He doesn't have one now, but they said it is common for them to get them shortly after leaving. The guy didn't seem to concerned he said if you don't have enogh for 14 days, don't worry about it. If you have left over after 14 days you can just throw it out. __________________ ~Shelly~ http://www.myspace.com/fbodgrl Zoee, Zack, Lamar & Mateo's mom and Khan my Pit Bull Terrier

01-06-2005, 05:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
AddFran Premier Cat Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,480	Hmm, commonly given to cats with Herpes I believe. I find it strange that the shelter gave these instructions to you with no reason. Hopefully some others will be able to help more, but that sounds suspicious to me. Is it labeled "L-Lysine"?

01-06-2005, 05:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
AddFran Premier Cat Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,480	I just did a search in google and only typed in the words "lysine" and "cats" it gave these results: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=lysine%2C+cats ALL pointing to herpes. They really should have told you what it was for. You should ask and see if they tell you the truth. That's something you should have been told about for your cats health and for your knowledge re: vet bills, etc. I have never heard of that being issued at a shelter for no reason. That's strange.

01-06-2005, 07:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	bizarre they would give it to you with no explanation, but it's perfectly OK and helps to put the herpes back in remission. perhaps your cat had a URI when you got it. you can also get the stuff at health food stores. it's commonly sold in 500 mg capsules. Dr. Jean advises 1500 mg a day during a herpes flare up. that sounds like a lot ... it's a full human dose. but I've used it with no ill effects.

01-06-2005, 07:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
AngelZoo Cool Cat Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 966	That is indeed really strange, you should try to find out more information about exactly why they gave this to you. Herpes can be a big deal, and contagious to any other cats, if your cat has it. It never goes away, your kitty will always have it, IF it does have it. Yes it's L-Lysine which should be given, I've given that treatment myself.

01-06-2005, 08:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	do you know if your cat has been vaccinated? if so, and it's a URI, it SHOULD be mild and nothing to get overly concerned about. with time and lysine, it will clear up. you do have to know that it can come back periodically, esp. if the kitty is stressed. I read that 1 in 3 cats have a latent herpes infection, so if that's the case, it's pretty common. I suspect my two boys probably have it.

01-06-2005, 08:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
AddFran Premier Cat Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,480	Tim, I agree it's not going to hurt anything. I give it to my cat Addison now too. That's because she has health issues though. It's very bizarre to send a cat home from a shelter with l-lysine and not give an explanation.

01-06-2005, 08:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
AddFran Premier Cat Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,480	As far as I know, URI's are not commonly treated with L-Lysine - especially through a shelter. Most shelter's do not commonly practice holistic vet treatment and I highly doubt they'd give Lysine for a URI. This is something you should inquire about. In terms of Herpes virus exposure and the virus being carried, it is common, this is true, but many cats don't have it and some that do may never display any symptoms. Others may constantly be bogged down with eye infections and uri's for a long time. It can be very serious and many times turns into secondary bacterial infections. Here's a helpful link on URI's: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/CCAH/Prog ... ts_URI.htm

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