Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 6/28/2008

Question
many feral cats live around my sister's property & she feeds them.  quite a lot of them have eye problems - swollen, bloody looking and/or gray.  (she had two inside cats of her own.)  the babies are especially sad - is there anything we could buy to try & put on them? or a food supplement to put into their food?  thanks.

Answer
Chris -

I don't think it is wise to buy over the counter medicines without a medical professional examining them first.  There are so many products that can cause problems to animals (especially cats) if given without proper direction.

You can add lysine to their food.  Lysine is an animo acid supplement that can aid in the prevention and treatment of certain viral conditions - especially those caused by herpesvirus.  Certain eye conditions can by caused by herpesvirus.  You can purchase lysine from most health food and even some pet stores.  Kittens need about 250mg per day and cats need about 500mg daily.  

Many thanks to you and your sister for feeding the feral cats - I'm sure they would thank you if they could.

Best Regards.

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM