Expert: Karen Craft - 7/30/2007

Question
I hope you can help or know of someone who can. My senior cat has herpes. Has had it all of his life. But recently, he has many days of nausea where he can't eat and slobs all over himself from it. The vet has run blood tests and thyroid tests but nothing is out of the ordinary. Next they want to do an ultrasound for cancer. Before we go through the expense of this, have you ever heard of this or do you know a vet who may be able to suggest something else to do or what may be going on? I'm beginning to think my vets don't know what they are doing. We've had many problems with incompetence in the past.

Thank you
Wendy

Answer
Hi Wendy,

Herpes in cats usually takes the form of eye infections or a longstanding cold. Nausea and dooling aren't part of that. But it is part of something that mimics herpes; Bartonella henselae. It can last in a cat for years.  Before they do an ultrasound for cancer have them check your cat for this. He can get it from a flea bite. If it checks out negative then yes, I would get the ultrasound.

I am also giving you a recipe for something called kitty glop. This stuff works wonders with sick cats. Feed him this. Write back and let me know how he is. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

KITTY GLOP




INGREDIENTS:
1 can evaporated milk (sweetened condensed)
2 tbsp. plain yogurt (not low or non fat)
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (real not light or No-Fat)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox gelatin
1 egg yolk (beaten, )
1 cup Pedialyte (unflavored)
1 jar Stage One Baby food (chicken or turkey)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix milk, yogurt, mayonnaise, baby food, and syrup together well. Bring 1 cup pedialyte to boil and mix in Knox gelatin. Set aside. Mix egg yolk with small amount of milk mixture and beat well.

Add gelatin and pedialyte to milk mixture and beat well. Add in egg yolk mixture and beat well. Remember to not use egg substitute and keep egg white to a minimum.

Pour into bowl (with cover) and set in refrigerator. Glop will last for two weeks covered in refrigerator. Try freezing the mixture in ice cube trays and store the cubes in the freezer, thaw as many as needed.
Always warm glop to room temperature ,(milk form), or a little warmer, before feeding.