Strange problem

After recently losing our 2 Egyptian Mau's of almost 17 years (they passed 3 weeks apart) we decided to get 2 more Mau kittens.
We searched the Web and found a reputable breeder with two 5 month old silver boys (just what we wanted)
We picked them up at her house and were given their complete medical records (which our regular vet had reviewed prior)
When we got them home, they were both poster cats for vibrant healthy kittens
About a week later one of the kittens came down with a case of conjunctivitis. We took him to the vet who prescribed ointment that cleared the condition up almost immediately. About a week later the conjunctivitis returned, but this time it was in both eyes.
We took him back to the vet who informed us he may have the herpes (FEV-1?) virus, and once again prescribed an ointment, that mostly cleared the condition, but one eye still has a bit of discharge. The vet also put him on Lysine (500mg/day) to help with the suspected herpes
4 days ago the kitten started limping badly, hardly putting any weight on one of his front legs. He also became lethargic and won't play with his brother. We immediately took him to the vet. This time the eye specialist was in the office that day so she examined him. His eyes looked good (still a touch of conjunctivitis in the one eye) but she confirmed the herpes diagnosis.
She examined him for the limp, but couldn't find anything wrong, at least on external examination. Her guess is some type of injury sustained while playing with his brother.
He continues to be lethargic, but is eating and drinking normaly. The odd thing is, sometimes when he's sitting up, he is resting one or both legs on his wrists, which looks really odd, and clearly isn't normal. Also when he is sitting up, he looks like he's leaning back resting his body on the base of his tail. He walks like he has some type of arthritis in his from quarters.
The vet wants to do an X-Ray study, if he's not better in a few days. My guess is he's not going to be.
I talked to the breeder who is willing to take him back, but we've become attached to him (as is his brother also).......But we're off to such a bad start, we are really thinking it's the best thing to do. Especially since the vet has no clue what's wrong with the kitten
Also, at the last vet visit a few days ago, a complete blood work up was done and according to the vet, was as good as it gets.
Does anyone have any idea what could be going on?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Mark

Hello Mark wish I had an answer for you but I don't. I read a little on Herpes in cats and his symptoms don't sound that similar to what I read but I guess they can vary and I would think that a vet would know what he is talking about. Is there an animal hospital where you could get a second opinion close by? I would think the blood tests should have been able to tell you what it is or at least what it isan't.

I would hate to be making the decision for you as to his future. Much as you have bonded with him do you want a lifetime of vet expences? From what I read on herpes in cats it can be reoccuring but the frequency varies between attacks.

That your previous Mau's lived to 17 is a credit to you, they must have been well cared for and loved as I did'nt think Mau's had such a quite as long life span, much as we want them to live forever.

Please let me know how you go and if he has improved at all.

Kind regards

What a sad problem. What did you ever decide to do? Is the other kitten still doing alright?

I'm sad to think that 17 years is long for Maus.. I want my girl with me forever. In my mind, I had imagined having her for 20 years but maybe that was wishful thinking. They're such wonderful animals. I wish every cat lover could meet them.

I agree Laura, everyone should met a Mau! I believe that because they are Egyptian that my beautiful Darla will be reincarnated into another Mau kitten when she leave me, which had better not be for a very long time though.