Princess Leilani (Himalayan Cat) - Neva Hargis, Owner

Dr. Broderick,

This letter is in follow-up to our extended phone call of yesterday, March 3, 2010 and is relevant to our Himalayan cat Princess Leilani whose date of birth was 10/19/06. We got Princess in December 2008 from a friend who had two other cats and one dog. At that time she had beautiful blue eyes but did have some brownish drainage from the tear ducts which we wiped away each day.

In September of 2009 we noted a greenish hue to her left eye and took her to her veterinarian who believed that to be herpes in her eyes. She was also squinting at the time. The doctor put her on Erythromycin eye ointment to be put in both eyes twice a day and Viralys (Lysine) gel, approximately ½ teaspoon, to put in her food once a day.

When the above treatment did not make a significant improvement, Erythromycin eye drops were increased to three times a day and Viralys (Lysine) to twice a day. At times the green “cloud” in her left eye would appear lighter and less dense but it never went totally away. We were then referred to a Veterinarian Ophthalmologist in Arroyo Grande, Calif. Princess was seen on December 15, 2009.

That doctor concurred with the diagnosis of herpes and put Princess on ¼ Famvir tablet 250mgn. Daily and Cidofovir eye drops in both eyes twice a day and to continue the Viralys ½ teaspoon twice daily. She did note the possibility of “mold conjunctivitis.” (probably FHV-1)

We got a refill on the Cidofovir so we could continue that as once again, the cloud looked lighter in color and less dense, and we were hopeful we were on the successful side of treating her. The eye drops were used up by January 6 and I made a note that her eye continued the Viralys.

I took Princess back to the Ophthalmologist on February 4^th. She was then put on ldoxuridine, one drop in each eye three times a day for the first week then continue with it only two times a day and continues the Viralys twice a day. One week later I noted that there was less drainage from the eyes but the green cloud was still there -perhaps lighter in color and less dense.

I saw you on the TV program Shark Tank and thought the nutritional improvement might improve her natural immunity enough to over come this herpes, so I ordered some and received it very promptly. We started the Super-Food and the Phyto-Food on February 16. Princess will eat her food with about 1/8 teaspoon of each but refuses if much more is used, even though you advised increasing the amount. She is playful and active and does not seem affected by the cloud in her eyes. The Ophthalmologist said her eyeball is healthy. We will continue to try to increase the Cornucopia food and I will keep you informed if there is any change in Princesses’ eye.

Thank you very much for your interest and advice,
Neva Hargis