Sylvester
Hello, my name is Sylvester. My animal id is #225982. I am a desexed male black cat at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 3 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a stray on 5/2/2025.
Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.
Pre-Screener FormSylvester is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. He is now displaying signs of overstimulation. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
You may know me from such films as...
Let's get to know each other a bit more...
This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form.Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Sylvester is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. He is now displaying signs of overstimulation. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. A volunteer writes: Sylvester seems like he's had plenty of time to admire nice things from afar but fewer chances to see them up close. He looks in awe at the cozy beds, crinkle toys and squeeze up treats and once we told him about forever families... Well, Sylvester's been doing everything he can to show us he's ready for that family life. Jumping into it all wholeheartedly, Sylvester's been adorably open minded with everything coming his way. He welcomes our attention by gently leaning into hands and cuddling right at the front. He's grateful for everything we offer, believing each to be better than the last. Sylvester was found looking a little worse for wear outside and a very important opportunity came his way when he was scooped up and brought to us to help him get started on the next part of his journey. And while he's very sweetly curious, leaning his head out of his condo when he hears his neighbors chatting, he's ready to give his full and loving attention to anyone who is giving him theirs. Sylvester is FIV+ and ready for a full and happy life in his forever home.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 13.16 lbs
5/2/2025
[Spay/Neuter Waiver - Temporary] Your newly adopted pet has been diagnosed with ( URI ) and the staff veterinarians are issuing a TEMPORARY waiver from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY. Follow up care at your regular veterinarian is recommended to ensure continued treatment through to the resolution of the issue. At the time of a full recovery you may choose to have your veterinarian perform the spay/neuter surgery, or make provisions to return the pet to ACC for sterilization.
5/2/2025
[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 years Microchip noted on Intake? No History: Community cat brought in by feeder Subjective: QAR. 7% dehydrated. Observed Behavior - calm, able to easily examine, needed very little restraint but obviously feeling very unwell. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = wnl R = wnl BCS 3/9 EENT: OU-conjunctivitis, ears clean, yellow mucoid nasal discharge Oral Exam: minimal tartar, fractured lower canines PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, referred upper airway noises ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: intact, both testes down MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, dry hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: NA Wood's Lamp Exam: not preformed Assessment: 1. URI 2. Dehydrated 3. FIV + Prognosis: Fair to Good Plan: 1. SQ LRS 100mL given today and planned for the next 3 days 2. Cerenia 0.38mL SQ given today 3. Vitamin B12 0.25mL SQ given today 4. Starting on Doxycycline (50mg/mL)-0.4mL PO SID x 10 days 5. Gentamin OU BID x 7 days 6. Recheck exam tomorrow to ensure eating well. SURGERY: Temporary waiver due to URI.
5/3/2025
Recheck URI and appetite S/O: BAR at front of kennel, eating well, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: Marked mucoid nasal discharge (crusts and active) and congestion LUNGS: Normal rate and effort CNS: Appropriate mentation A: URI, conjunctivitis Underweight Dehydration - improving FIV+ P: Cleaned nasal discharge/nares Continue current treatment plan and recheck as scheduled
5/5/2025
Progress exam: URI day 3 Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. Great appetite empty bowls in kennel Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: yellow seromucoid discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -Okay to move to cat ISO -CTM recheck as scheduled
5/9/2025
Progress exam: URI day 7 recheck Subjective: QBAR, no C/V/D. Sneezing noted. Eating great Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: green mucoid discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days
5/13/2025
Progress exam: URI day 10 Subjective: QBAR, no C/S/V/D. Eating well Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge noted MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -Move out of iso -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC
5/16/2025
H: URI signs seen on rounds, FIV+, recently cleared of URI on 5/13 S: QAR to BAR, consistent sneezing, no coughing, no vd. Eyes: Unremarkable OU Ears: Unremarkable AU. Nasal Cavity: Mild to moderate mucopurulent nasal discharge Lungs: Mild stertor, Eupneic U/G: Normal external genitalia. No discharge. Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory x 4 with no appreciable lameness. BCS = 5/9 Neuro: Appropriate mentation. Rectal: Not performed. Externally normal. Assessment 1) URI (reoccurence) Plan: restart Doxycycline 10 mg/kg SID x 10 days Move to ISO
5/23/2025
Progress exam: URI day 7 recheck Subjective: QBAR, no C/S/V/D noted. Sneezing marked on log, eating well Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild mucoid discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days
6/2/2025
Progress exam: URI recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/V/D. Sneezing noted Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: dry discharge present MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -Per 1658 start 14 day course of doxy & fortiflora PO & B12 SQ Once -CTM, DVM rechecks
6/6/2025
Visual exam S/O: QAR, still eating, sneezing noted EENT: Mild clear bilateral nasal discharge, mild congestion A: URI P: CTM while in care Continue current prescribed treatment DVM rechecks
6/10/2025
Progress exam: recheck URI (day 7 of doxycycline) S: BAR, comes to front of kennel, purring and head-butting. Appetite scores of 1-2, normal urination, soft stool (FS 5) O: EENT: eyes clear, no ocular dc, mild serous nasal discharge and audible nasal congestion, MM pink, clean dentition, ears are bilaterally filled with thick crusty debris and there are numerous scabs around ears and neck H/L: eupneic MSI: euhydrated, dry haircoat, multiple scabs around ears and neck, A x 4, well-muscled Neuro: Alert and appropriate Assessment URI- currently on doxycline, clinically improving Otitis with evidence of pruritis and self-trauma (r/o ear mites vs other infectious) FIV + P: Continue current treatment protocol for URI and monitor appetite Signed up for LVT ear cleaning and to start tresaderm AU BID x 7 days Recheck URI signs and ears in 72hrs
6/13/2025
Recheck URI and ears Patient is currently on day 10 doxycycline (second course) and on day 3 of tresaderm S/O: BAR, comes to kennel front and requests petting. Mildly audibly congested with crusted nasal discharge and slight active serous nasal discharge. AS noted as excellent. AU mild brown waxy debris, moderately pruritic, appears improved than on previous exam. A. Otitis/ear mites - improving URI - improving Congestion FIV + P. Continue with 14 day course - recheck at end of course If patient continues to be congested without other signs of URI, consider polyp check
6/17/2025
Recheck URI and ears; patient has been on doxycycline 3 times in the past 2 months - 10 doses 5/3-5/12, 11 doses 5/16-5/26, and 13 doses 6/3-6/17 S/O: BAR, eating well, no c/s/v/d noted, eating well EENT: Mild mucoid nasal discharge LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation A: URI - likely viral, persistent ro secondary to immunosuppression Otitis/ear mites - improved FIV + P: Scheduled ivermectin inj for ear mites Okay to d/c doxycycline Extend fortiflora PO SID CTM on rounds and recheck in 5 days
6/24/2025
BAR and extremely affectionate in kennel, no c/v/d. Sneezing noted once on monitoring log 2 days prior, not seen during exam. Marked congestion, no nasal discharge. Assessment: -Persistent URI signs (r/o chronic rhinitis vs persistent URI vs polyp) -Otitis/ear mites (not noted today) -FIV+ Plan: -Scheduled for sedated polyp check
6/26/2025
Sedated polyp check today, okay for dexmedetomidine 10 mcg/kg, butorphanol 0.2 mg/kg IM ///Done
6/26/2025
sedated aural and oral exam, p has been congested without overt URI signs, FIV+, has been on 3 courses of doxy 5/3-5/12, 5/16-5/26, 6/3-6/17 sedated with 0.1mL dex/torb/ketamine IM Oral exam clean, no swellings or lesions, no signs of polyp Aural exam: moderate light brown ceruminous dc AU, no lesions or masses A. Chronic congestion r/o rhinitis vs mild persistent URI d/t immunosuppression Gained weight- now 13.16# P. CTM patient- okay to move out of iso, signage hung Recheck in 5 day to ensure URI signs not recurrent seek placement, given p FIV status, would benefit from quick shelter exit P.
7/1/2025
Recheck for URI signs, FIV+ cat S/O: BAR, active in kennel, appetite good (some dry and wet eaten, AS 1-2), no c/s/v/d noted EENT: Moderate mucoid nasal discharge, no ocular discharge LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation A: URI - recurrence vs persistent infection FIV+ P: Swab and send sample for respiratory PCR Start fortiflora PO SID x 14 days Hold off on antibiotic for now since Sylvester has been on 3 rounds of doxycycline in the past couple months Pend PCR results and monitor on rounds
7/2/2025
Swab and send sample for respiratory PCR to idexx. ///Done
7/3/2025
Recheck persistent vs recurrent URI, not on doxycycline at this time. Moved out of iso into adoptions today due to previous note of "resolved". S/O: BAR, no c/s/v/d noted, mild mucoserous nasal discharge, no ocular discharge, eupneic. Plan: Respiratory PCR pending, recheck as scheduled. Okay to treat in place in adoptions.
7/7/2025
Chronic URI signs noted, check for resp PCR and brief recheck S/O BAR, comes to the front of the kennel, food trays disturbed, no c/sv/d appreciated, mild congestion audible EENT: no ocular or nasal dc HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4 Resp PCR NEGATIVE A. recurrent URI signs r/o secondary to FIV status P. Con't with treatments as written recheck as scheduled CTM while at QACC
7/11/2025
Recheck URI, wound reported on rounds board S/O: BAR, leans into petting and allows all handling, good appetite, sneezing, no c/v/d noted EENT: mild serous nasal discharge, no ocular discharge; AU pruritic when examined with mild ceruminous brown discharge LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Multifocal pinpoint scabbing/thinner haircoat along jowls and caudal pinnae, superficial wound/scabbing at left pinna/temporal region A: URI - improving signs Superficial lesion - ro excoriation/self trauma secondary to pruritic ears (otitis vs ear mites) vs other History of otitis w pruritis/self trauma (see exam from 6/10/25) FIV+ P: Continue fortiflora PO SID Scheduled ear cleaning and ivermectin injection Start tresaderm AU BID x 4 days CTM and recheck URI signs, ears, wound in one week
7/18/2025
recheck URI- chronic URIs, treated for ear mites last week, in iso 1 S/O QAR, no c/s/v/d noted or appreciated, excellent appetite, food trays disturbed EENT: no ocular dc, mild serous nasal dc, mild audible congestion, AU: mild dark brown ceruminous debris, appears slightly pruritic when touched HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4, scratch marks just prior to both ears, superficial scabbing the to left temporal region, good skin turgor A. URI_- chronic signs, suspect secondary to FIV status Hx of ear mites vs otitis - no signs except mild pruritis appear aTT Wound - appears to be just scabbing now P. Extend forti-flora x 1 week recheck in 5 days, if ears still mildly pruritic scheduling cleaning, see if okay to leave iso 1 Seek placement - chronic URI with FIV
7/23/2025
Recheck chronic, intermittent URI signs S/O: BAR, great appetite, no c/s/v/d noted today - sneezing noted occasionally over the past 10 days on monitoring log EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, AU pruritic with mild discharge LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation A: URI - no signs today Otitis vs ear mites FIV P: Scheduled repeat ivermectin inj (two weeks after most recent inj) and repeat ear cleaning Okay to leave iso-1 CTM while at QACC
7/27/2025
recheck exam, okay for sx? Chronic URI, FIV cat S/O QAR, comes down to the front of kennel, no c/s/v/d appreciated, food trays empty EENT: no ocular or nasal dc HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4 A. FIV Otitis- under tx Hx of chronic URIs- no signs aTT P. Okay for sx aTT CTM while at QACC
8/4/2025
Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. upper respiratory congestion , Spay/Neuter - ACCEPTED HIGH RISK Notes: nasal crusts noted around nares upper respiratory congestion noted on auscultation gingivitis, missing some incisors, generalized dental staining noted
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 1. Green
During intakes no handling was done, taken to medical
KNOWN HISTORY:: Sylvester was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. During intakes no handling was done, taken to medical
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate
VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty
CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Calm,Sweet,Affectionate,People oriented,Curious
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Other,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: Adopters should be counselled on respecting their new pet's boundaries and educated on warning signs of overstimulation in order for them to be able to identify when Sylvester is beginning to reach his threshold for pets and the interaction can be ended before escalation occurs. He quickly nipped at the assessor when petted (see Behavior Summary below from 6/5/25 for more details). 8/7/25 Upon re-eval, Sylvester appears to continue to deteriorate in the sense that the severity of his nips has developed into bite and holds or bite and chews/multiple short but sustained bites in the same spot. He continues to appreciate and lean into pets with a neutral face and body and solicit attention. However, at times with unidentifiable triggers, he will use his paw to pull the assessor's hand (with the bite glove on) closer and bite either their finger or the top of their hand and chew or bite and hold. He does not show any change in posture or tail position, and afterwards will continue to appreciate pets.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home
Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Sylvester would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 05/05/25: Sylvester was lying in front of his kennel as the assessor approached, body and face relaxed and ears forward. Sylvester made eye contact when spoken to, ears forward and he slow-blinked and stood up to greet the assessor as the kennel door opened. Sylvester allowed petting along his head and body while leaning in, purring and keeping his tail high in the air. Sylvester remained calm when lifted and placed back down. 06/05/25: Inside of his kennel, Sylvester has his tail high with forward ears and his eyes wide; he leans in for pets and accepts all pets on his head and cheeks as well as up and around his body. Sylvester leans in hard to the side with a neutral posture enjoying pets then suddenly turns to nip/bite onto the assessor's hand without warning - Sylvester lets go then nips/bites once again before releasing and head bunting for more pets. 07/07/25: Sylvester is social, calm, and sweet cat who may become overstimulated with petting and nip when feeling overwhelmed with petting or attention. He was crouched down in his hidey box and immediately walks to the front to greet the assessor upon approach. He eagerly accepts treats offered and welcomes petting on the head. He leans in for cheek rubs and is unbothered when stroking his body. The assessor uses more treats to coax him to face the back of the kennel and distract him to attempt handling. During pick up, he tenses up, stiffen his limbs, and coughs/sniffles (currently under the weather) when briefly lifted up and held. After placing him back down, he turns around and walks to the front again for more treats and petting as a reward for the handling. 8/7/25 Upon re-eval, Sylvester is laying with a neutral face and body, ears forward and accepts pets along his head, cheeks and body without issue as he leans into the touch. He continues to lay in his box and lay his head on the assessor's hand and accept cheek scratches. He then sits up and continues to accept pets along his back. As the assessor moves to continue petting in the same way, with an unidentifiable trigger, he uses his paw to pull the assessor's hand (with the bite glove on) closer and bites their hand holding and readjusting to bite in the same spot before letting go. He continues to appreciate pets afterwards but continues to repeat this behavior biting either their finger or the top of their hand with a chew or bite and hold. He does not show any change in posture or tail position, and afterwards will continue to appreciate pets. Had the bite glove not been worn, it is likely many of these bite would have broken skin. Sylvester is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has begun to bite with unidentified triggers and no noticeable changes in body language. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.