kittens, Bobbie-jo's and more

[Bob5]

When we lost Bobbie-Jo she left behind a litter of kittens that were just about 6 wks old, they were pretty much weaned. There were 5, we found good forever-homes for 4 of the 5; I suspect Ed is going to keep the last one, we named her Gemma.
Now for my question-bear with me!! One of the shop cats that hangs around Ed's shop is 1 he named Pigpen. She's perpetually filthy for some reason, hence her name. Well, she had a litter of kittens somewhere in Ed's shop and we just started to see them now that they're big enough to wander about. Unfortunately, Pigpen is just as bad w/the kittens as w/herself. It appears she never washed off their faces and their eyes are all stuck shut! I've been gently washing their faces w/a warm washcloth (being very careful around the eyes) and putting saline on their lids. This seems to help-their eyes stay open till they go to sleep and tear up. What else can I do to help-can't afford a vet so this has to be do-it-yourself. So far no sign of infection but I want to do everything I can to save their vision. Any help much appreciated!!

[opus88]

okay, just make sure you get a brand thats free of the sugar/salt/soy and other nasty ingredients I mentioned.
some other good names (safe for cats) are listed below...but not all come in powder form, some are in capsules that would need to be opened measured and mixed but that works too. they range from 500mg-1000mgs. and I would try only 150-200mgs for a kitten, so be sure and measure correctly

Carlson Labs
Jarrow
Source Naturals
Now

good luck

[Bob5]

Ok, there's a very good  herbal supply store near here that I'll check. The kits are still nursing so I'll keep up w/the warm cloth and washing for right now. Poor Pigs doesn't appreciate the help! The kits seem much happier after the help though.

[opus88]

sorry forgot to add my personal code for the discount its SED957 you will see where to add this at checkout...

[opus88]

hi....good for you for trying to do your best for all these kittens...omg you have your hands full
these kittens with the eye problem no doubt have herpes....could also be other virus's or an infection but I am assuming since they are wild that herpes is the most common, it affects many feral or shelter cats..

there is one supplement that works really well for containing this, may never cure but it helps the immune system and the eyes.
Its an amino acid, your Vet will have a pet one but its will be more expensive and not nearly as potent as in the human form.
I will give you the name of a very good one you can phone to a Vitamin supply store and see if they have this brand. there are other brands that are also good and if you decide to get one of those be very sure its PURE and has NO sugar, starch, salt, corn or SOY....
or you can order it from iherb. its very inexpensive $6.44 for a jar that will go a long ways...the shipping is $4. but if you quote my personal code you will get I think $4 off your order. I deal with them all the time.

the l-lysine comes in powder form and there is a small scoop inside. for kittens I would give no more than 1/4 scoop mixed in with their food or mix with small amount of water and give via a dropper. you may want to start with even less since they are so young and if they tolerate it okay you can build up to 1/4 scoop....shouldn't be any side effects but I've never used it on such young ones before...on an adult cat I use 1/2 scoop

heres the link to iherb. good luck and keep us informed okay, also keep up with the saline washes...:))

http://www.iherb.com/Carlson-Labs-L-Lysine-Amino-Acid-Powder-100-g/13608#p=1&oos=1&disc=0&lc=en-US&w=l-lysine&rc=561&sr=null&ic=16