Animal Profile

Snickers is on the At Risk list due to medical and behavior reasons. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions linked to Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS). It is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She will need ongoing medication to manage her symptoms. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid further bite/scratch incidents.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Snickers is on the At Risk list due to medical and behavior reasons. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions linked to Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS). It is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She will need ongoing medication to manage her symptoms. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid further bite/scratch incidents. What my friends at ACC say about me: I am looking for a home with a patient person. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. Snickers tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. She may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 6.9 lbs

Medical Notes

7/14/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 8 months based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR H pink 1 sec Observed Behavior - Walked out of den, ate some food, and allowed gentle pets but as soon as we started to do ANYTHING she is low growling (sometimes while eating), hissing. Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Objective P = 120hr R = 40rr BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: NSF PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT<2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FS - recent spay scar seen and sutures palpable beneath skin MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake procedures

7/18/2026

Starting on Gabapentin trial due to observations of yowling/tail chasing with room is active P: Gabapentin 100mg capsule PO BID x14d then reassess

7/24/2026

Sedated for tail rads using 0.1 ml Dex, 0.1 ml Torb, 0.1 ml Ketamine IM Gave 0.1ml antisedan IM

7/24/2026

Reported by feline behavior to still be attacking tail and yowling. Sedated for radiographs and to better assess for trauma of tail. Sedated using 0.1 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.1 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) + 0.1 ml Ketamine (100mg/ml) IM for radiographs of tail and hindend. S: BAR in kennel O: EEN- eyes clear, no apparent nasal or ocular discharge H/L- eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- ambulatory x4 (prior to sedation), no palpable wounds to tail, tail vertebrae palpate normally, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate (prior to sedation) A: Episodes of attacking tail and vocalizing- r/o unknown trauma vs. Feline Hyperesthesia vs. other P: Radiographs - no distinct tail luxations or tail fractures - no appreciable overriding discs Increase Gabapentin to 200mg PO BID indefinitely Monitor for sedation +/- change to Fluoxetine if not responding

8/23/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 9 months to 1 year Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned positive History: Adopter returned Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense body and growled for palpation Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = 160 R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult teeth PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Female intact. Prominent mammary vessels. No OHE scar visible or sutures palpable. MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Not done Assessment: Intact female DOHB quarantine Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks Gabapentin 100mg/ml 1 ml in food bid while in shelter SURGERY: Okay for surgery

8/24/2026

Hx of attacking tail, redirected onto foster. Currently on DOH hold. Previously on Gabapentin 100-200mg with no improvement in clinical signs. A: Intact female Self-trauma to tail - r/o hyperesthesia vs. pain vs. other P: Schedule spay as soon as DOH hold is over. Rx Fluoxetine 10mg tablets: 1/4tablet SID indefinitely. Recheck scheduled x 14 days to evaluate progress +/- d/c gabapentin at that time (wean off as fluoxetine starts working).

9/2/2026

On 9/2/2026 at approximately 9:40am, I examined Snickers 259669. She has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

9/10/2026

S/O: Has improved significantly since starting fluoxetine according to feline behavior A/P: Start weaning gabapentin Give 0.3ml PO BID for 7 days then 0.15ml PO BID for 7 days then 0.15ml PO SID for 7 days Recheck in 5 days for progress

9/15/2026

Pet is calm during rounds and eating. No reports of tail chasing. Plan c/w gabapentin taper

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Snickers was brought in as a stray; there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment. Bite/Scratch History: The adopter was in the living room with Snickers. She went to remove Snickers from the couch before leaving the living room. When she returned, Snickers was standing by the couch. When the adopter went to sit back down, Snickers lunged at her arm and began attacking her. She left multiple scratches on her left arm and down to her hand, drawing blood. She was able to push Snickers off of her and Snickers then left the room. Wounds were self-treated.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/17/26 FB20 Snickers was observed to yowl intensely for a period of several minutes. It is possible the trigger was the kittens next to her being too loud, she seems sensitive to noises. 7/23/26 FB20 Snickers was observed to vocalize and attack her tail tip when the room was very quiet. A video was taken and uploaded to Vet Documents. 8/31/26 FB73 Receiving frequent reports from staff members and volunteers in regard to loud vocalization, body rippling, and attacking her tail/back. 9/9/26 FB73 Snickers was at the front of the kennel today, curled up with her eyes closed. She appears significantly more relaxed, opening her eyes and slow blinking as the handler approaches to observe her. Improvement! 9/15/26 Vol. She was eating her evening meal when I approached kennel. Ate half of her food and then ate some Temptation treats. Was able to pet her by hand for several minutes. Wasn’t interested in playing, just wanted more petting. Sweet girl. Her meds must be working because I didn’t see evidence of her hyperaesthesia.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Talkative

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Shy ,Sweet,Curious,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Snickers is suspected by our veterinary team to have Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) due to being observed to have sudden intense tail chasing and biting episodes with loud vocalizations. She is currently on an increase dosage of gabapentin and fluoxetine to monitor if the behavior improves. Follow up with a veterinarian for further management is required.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to bite/scratch history and episodes of loud vocalizations/attacking her tail and lower back.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 7/16/26 Snickers approached the front of the kennel seeking attention and was alert with a relaxed body posture and neutral eyes. She solicited interaction by head bunting and leaning into the assessor's hand, while purring continuously throughout the assessment. She remained calm and tolerant during pick up. After the assessment had ended and while remaining in the room, Snickers unexpectedly began hissing and grumbling at her own tail. 9/1/26 Snickers is laying on top of her den, observing the room with a neutral expression as the assessor approaches. When the kennel door is opened and she is spoken to softly, she does a big stretch forward before coming to greet the assessor at the front of the kennel. She softly head bunts their hands and leans into petting on the head and cheeks for a few moments before beginning to tense, crouching forward, tail flicking and lip licking. Petting is stopped and crunchy treats are offered, and Snickers immediately begins to eat them. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. 9/10/26 Upon approach, Snickers is laying curled up with her head up making soft eye contact with the assessor. When the kennel door is opened, she leans forward to head bunt the assessor's hand, allowing and leaning into petting on the head and cheeks for an extended period without escalation. She is observed throughout the day to still have episodes of loud vocalizations along with biting and scratching at her tail, but the behavior has improved somewhat throughout her stay. Snickers tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. She may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.