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Advice on an Immune system supplement? Need help. Lysine only for herpes or no?

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2.7K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  Marcia  
T
#1 ·
Sabby, my 8.5 month old gray tabby has FELV+ and we've known that for awhile. Since his first positive in October he has been on Rx Immuno Booster first in hopes that he could fight it off but now he is on it just to keep him healthy and keep his immune system from getting worse.

Unfortunately I can't afford this anymore. I've only had him for a month, and he is running out of the last bottle I bought him. At around $48 every two weeks, it's difficult for a highschool student such as myself to afford $100 a month medication on top of food, litter, and the occasional "he's breathing weird I need to bring him to the vet" visits (which has only happened once so far).

I can easily afford the food and litter and treats and toys and the occasional vet visit with some stretching of how I spend my money as I'm very frugal with it but the cost of the Rx Immuno Booster is stretching me VERY thin to the point where I'd have to start sacrificing other things and I don't want to buy his vitamins and find out I need to bring him to the vet but I can't because I just spent $50 on something that is only going to last two weeks.

My vet wasn't adamant I keep him on it, but she did seem like she was discouraging me trying anything else other than the Rx brand because it's great and has all these studies and vet reviews etc.

The vet assistant is someone I'm not too keen on because she told me:
1) Coconut oil does nothing for cats except maybe keep their coat shiny.
2) Lysine (which is 3/4 of his Rx Immuno Booster) does nothing for cats except prevent herpes.

I said, "I'm sorry but if it just prevents herpes then why is the Immuno Booster 75% Lysine" and she replied with "Erm... well... I'm not sure, maybe because cats with FELV are more prone to getting herpes? And the other ingredients in it are what help"

First of all- yeah cats with FELV (I'm assuming especially kittens and elderly cats) are more prone to EVERYTHING not just herpes.
Second of all- If it's the other ingredients that help boost/stabilize his immune system why the **** am I paying $50 a month for something when only 25% is actually doing anything- oh, unless he comes into contact with herpes one day then the other 75% will actually do it's job?

I'm very confused and frustrated. Because he's happy and healthy and finally getting into the groove of things with our dog. Other than being a picky eater now that I've introduced wet food into his dry food everyday he's perfectly healthy.

I'm not okay with just stopping all vitamins because I think it is a good idea to keep him on them in case he does come into contact with anything (other than our 125 lb Great Dane, it's just him and her and us 3 humans. No other cats, and rarely do we ever have another dog over and especially never another cat), but is there anything else that I could put him on?

Is Lysine really only for herpes?
What do you think about coconut oil?

Sabby is getting 1/2 cup dry food, 1/4 can wet food, 4mL Rx Immuno Booster daily plus 1/4 teaspoon of pure, cold-pressed coconut oil whenever I remember. He loved it the first couple times but now he gets bored quickly so he actually gets much less than 1/4 teaspoon a day.
Also if he won't eat his dry food, I cut down on the wet food sometimes because I don't want him refusing the dry food, I can't afford feeding him all wet food all day every day. He also sometimes gets freeze-dried cooked chicken as a treat.

I also fill up his water with fresh cold water every night before I go to bed- should I be giving him fresh water more often?

I've had cats in the past but they were healthy female cats so he is my first experience with FELV and male cats and I don't regret it. I knew he had FELV when I took him in, and I will do anything to make sure I can afford everything he needs even if I have to beg and fundraise because I'm not ready to let him get sick or succumb to any disease or sickness.


Thank you!!
 
#2 ·
From what I understand of herpes virus in cats, she's absolutely right.

Lysine does nothing for the immune system except help to suppress the herpes virus (keep it from shedding). Chances are good that your cat has already been exposed to the herpes virus as a kitten and has it, most do. Stress or any immune suppressing problem can lower his resistance enough to allow the virus to shed and become active again.

The Lysine aids in keeping the virus at bay so if their immune system becomes weaker the virus can't 'overpower' it and cause a break out.

Again, that's how I understand it to work. I could be very very very wrong.

Book is my stresser since he always gets the fuzzy end of the lollipop. He's a very passive cat and that encourages the other two to use him as a punching bag and/or play toy. The first sign in him is watery eyes and then the sneezing starts. Now as soon as I see him getting watery I start the lysine and try to pay more attention to how the other two are treating him. It usually clears him up in just a few weeks.
 
L
#3 ·
MowMow is correct. L-lysine is only active against herpesvirus, to which your cat has almost certainly been exposed and carries in his system. L-lysine inhibits the herpesvirus' ability to replicate, making it easier for your cat's own immune system to beat back into remission. As a FeLV cat, he needs as much help as he can get in that regard, so I recommend you mix 500-1000 mg of L-lysine into his canned food every day. You can buy L-lysine very cheaply anywhere human vitamins are sold. I used to buy 500 mg tablets and crush one each day to mix into food, but now I buy it in powdered form online. It's just a little easier that way.

Laurie
 
D
#4 ·
Something like this may be beneficial:

Only Natural Pet Immune Strengthener Dog & Cat Supplement

Looks like it should last 90 days. It doesn't contain l-lysine so you'll want to add that separately. Combined, they're a lot less expensive than the other product you mention.

You've taken on a huge responsibility by adopting an FELV+ cat at your age. If you don't have a regular job, you need to get one as this cat will need regular ongoing vet care. If you notice something "off" you cannot "wait and see" as most of us would do with non-Felv cats. Waiting may be life threatening. These cats often have significant dental issues which can be very expensive. Basically...unless you have other resources (parents willing to help?), you need to build up a hefty savings account.
 
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T
#6 · (Edited)
Parents are willing to help in the event of necessary treatment like surgery or chemo or medication but still I will pay for most of it.

I'm a full time high school student so a job is not an option. I get $100-$150 a month and when necessary it all goes to Sabby, minus $20 for my phone. My phone and Sabby are my only financial responsibilities right now.

When I graduate in February 2016 I will be getting a part time job.

I will look into the lysine and immune strengthener separately thank you very much! :)
 
L
#8 ·
Babysitting DEFINITELY counts as a job ... and a darned difficult one at times! I commend you for being such a responsible young person. Well done!

I buy the 500gm container of powdered L-lysine at the following link:

Lysine (500mg) - 150 Vegetable Capsules - NutraBio.com

It's a very large jar that would last you a very long time ... or you could buy the capsules and just open one and mix the contents into some canned food. But you might be able to find powder or capsules locally at a health food store or drugstore so that you wouldn't have to pay for shipping. Just check around.

I suggest 500 mg once daily unless your cat is showing symptoms of a herpes flare-up (sneezing or nasal congestion, running or inflamed eyes), at which point I'd give 500mg twice daily in food.

Laurie
 
M
#9 ·
I bought this from my local vitamin shop. This called The Vitamin Shoppe. Runs about $10/bottle - then for convenience I started buying it from Amazon.

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Carlson-Labs-L-Lysine-Powder-100g/dp/B003BVIUWU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1425680377&sr=8-6&keywords=l-lysine+powder[/ame]

Cats also seem to all like the L-lysine treats. Search for that on amazon too.
 
D
#10 ·
wished I seen this sooner, I already bought this one: [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Vetoquinol-410633-Viralys-Powder-100gm/dp/B000FULBT4/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1425680638&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=l-lysine+powder+for+cats[/ame]

so this is okay to add to the food for the ferals and I've heard about DE(Diatomaceous Earth-food grade). Can both be added to the cat food?
 
M
#11 ·
deanna79, it's ok to use that - I found it cost more and the cats seemed to notice the taste and didn't care for it though. Not sure about the DE though. What would you use the DE for (not to hijack the thread!).
 
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