L-Lysine is an essential amino acid that is useful in fighting one of the major viruses that causes respiratory infections in cats. This supplement decreases the risk of infection and slows the growth of the virus if a cat is already infected.
Herpes Virus in Cats
Feline Herpes Virus 1 (FHV1) is the most common airborne virus spread from cat to cat. It causes a serious respiratory illness known as rhinotracheitis which includes symptoms of sneezing, nasal discharge and inflammation of the eyes, throat and sinuses.
FHV1 and Kittens
FHV1 occurs worldwide and affects 70 percent of cats. The infection can be passed from mother to kitten in the womb and is easily caught by kittens whose immune system is not fully developed.
Duration
Symptoms usually last for two weeks and clear up on their own if there are no other complications. The virus can live as long as the cat, but often remains latent, with symptoms only occuring during times of stress or other illness.
Reinfection
Reinfection is common. Rhinotracheitis vaccines are available but most cats are infected before they are old enough to be vaccinated.
L-Lysine Dosage
L-Lysine is given in an oral gel or tablet form in a dosage recommended by a veterinarian, usually 250 to 500 mg daily. It competes with another amino acid, arginine, which is necessary for FHV1 to reproduce. As a result, symptoms decrease in severity and remission is achieved more rapidly than normal.
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