Lysine - what is it used for and dose?

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Shoeskitty-GA

Shoeskitty-GA

Member Since 2016
I see many of the kitties in the L & L Forum getting Lysine. I know that this is a supplement but am not familiar with it's purpose and how to dose it.

Can anyone give me information on it? If it's good for the immune system, I would be interested in using it for Shoes.

Thanks.
 
L-Lysine is helpful for kitties with feline herpes which leads them to be more prone to upper respiratory infections. During a URI flare up I give 250mg twice a day. Some people will give 250mg daily as a preventative measure, although I am not sure whether this is helpful or not. I purchase the capsules (500mg) and split the contents and apply directly on the food. You can also buy the NOW brand lysine in bulk powder and measure out according to the dosing instructions. Just make sure that whichever brand you buy it has no fillers.

Supplements:

  1. L-Lysine* – 500mg for up to a week, then 250mg maintenance dose
*Unfortunately, cats that recover from the herpes and calici virus tend to become carriers and "shed" the virus throughout their life particularly in times of stress. If your cat has a flare-up of symptoms, 500mg of the amino acid L-Lysine works very effectively. Cats need the amino acid arginine, and since lysine and arginine compete with each other, do not exceed a maintenance dose of 250mg on a long-term basis. If your cat only has occasional symptoms, give L-Lysine only when needed in the most conservative dose – 250mg and increase to 500mg only for short periods of time. A very large % of cats have been exposed to the herpes virus, and on my list over the years we've found lysine helps all cats with URI symptoms even if not officially diagnosed with herpe

http://www.holisticat.com/en/acute-conditions/37-uri.html

ETA This should only be a first line treatment for URI. If the kitty does not improve then a visit to the vet is in order.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
L-Lysine is helpful for kitties with feline herpes which leads them to be more prone to upper respiratory infections. During a URI flare up I give 250mg twice a day. Some people will give 250mg daily as a preventative measure, although I am not sure whether this is helpful or not. I purchase the capsules (500mg) and split the contents and apply directly on the food. You can also buy the NOW brand lysine in bulk powder and measure out according to the dosing instructions. Just make sure that whichever brand you buy it has no fillers.

Supplements:

  1. L-Lysine* – 500mg for up to a week, then 250mg maintenance dose
*Unfortunately, cats that recover from the herpes and calici virus tend to become carriers and "shed" the virus throughout their life particularly in times of stress. If your cat has a flare-up of symptoms, 500mg of the amino acid L-Lysine works very effectively. Cats need the amino acid arginine, and since lysine and arginine compete with each other, do not exceed a maintenance dose of 250mg on a long-term basis. If your cat only has occasional symptoms, give L-Lysine only when needed in the most conservative dose – 250mg and increase to 500mg only for short periods of time. A very large % of cats have been exposed to the herpes virus, and on my list over the years we've found lysine helps all cats with URI symptoms even if not officially diagnosed with herpe

http://www.holisticat.com/en/acute-conditions/37-uri.html

ETA This should only be a first line treatment for URI. If the kitty does not improve then a visit to the vet is in order.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I don't believe that Shoes has FH so it's not something I should do.
 
I always learn something interesting here.
How do you know that your cat has feline herpes? Is there a test for it? What are the symptoms?
Is it that a cat has got symptoms of URI and a vet would treat it with antibiotics and there is no improvement? So then herpes infection is suspected?
 
Rocky had in the past URI and vet gave him antibiotics.
Last time he had it I decided to treat him at home and watched for symptoms of bacterial infection (if he was getting worse) and only then would accept antibiotics. He was just not happy and his breathing was affected but I was giving him warm chicken soup (he never looses his appetite!) and let him sleep in my bed. He recovered in about 10 days.
 
Chris & China said:
It's also used prophylactically to help keep their immune system stronger, not only for FH
Click to expand...


There is some concern about using L-lysine on an ongoing preventive basis since lysine works by lowering arginine levels. Arginine deficiency can cause hyperammonemia:

"Hyperammonemia (or hyperammonaemia) is a metabolic disturbance characterised by an excess of ammonia in the blood. It is a dangerous condition that may lead to encephalopathy and death. It may be primary or secondary. Ammonia is a substance that contains nitrogen."




Of course some newer studies say that lysine has no benefits for cats with URI, so the literature is all over the place. Personally I only use it when my kitty has a flair up of URI and for me anyway I find that it helps, without it getting worse and requiring antibiotics.



ETA Any supplement or additive is in fact a drug and should be considered carefully before using.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
Of course some newer studies say that lysine has no benefits for cats with URI, so the literature is all over the place
Click to expand...

That's the truth!! Do 1000 Google searches and you'll find 1000 different opinions!! Just so many people here use it with positive results that I have to think it's doing "something" helpful

Of course ECID and any supplement should be used safely and at recommended doses....there IS "too much of a good thing"
 
mush was very sick, we were his 4th home, he was very stressed. There was stuff coming out of his eyes & nose. The vet gave
him powerful medicine & he was helped. We were told to keep him on lysine for his lifetime. I give him 500 mg. in the morning mixed
with his food. We also have a humidifier in the living room for him during the winter.(dry heat) He has been healthy for over 1 year with no
more issues.
 
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