ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/l-lysine
US brand names:Enisyl-F, Viralys
L-Lysine is dosed at 250–500 mg/kg PO q24h in african pygmy hedgehogs, per 30. Jepson L. Hedgehogs. In: Jepson L, eds. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, 2nd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2016:198-230. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.745 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Hedgehogs). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Competes with arginine for absorption and incorporation. Theoretically suppresses herpesvirus replication by reducing arginine availability needed for viral protein synthesis.
Efficacy debated in recent studies. Generally very safe. May cause GI upset at high doses. Commonly used for FHV-1 in cats despite limited evidence.
Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugs
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A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 250–500 mg/cat | q12-24h | Weak | Rees TM, Lubinski JL. Oral supplementation with L-lysine did not prevent upper respiratory infection in a shelter population of cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2008;10(5):510-513. doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2008.03.004; Maggs DJ. Antiviral Therapy for Feline Herpesvirus Infections. Veterinary Clinics of North America-Small Animal Practice. 2010;40(6):1055-+. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2010.07.010 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.815 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.788, Lysine monograph; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.