Animal Profile

Nala is on the at-risk list due to medical concerns. Nala is a sweet old cat with a chronic wound (owner's report they've been struggling with it for 4 years). She also has severe dental disease. Nala will need veterinary follow up to ensure her wound is healing appropriately as well as a dental procedure. Behaviorally, she has been soliciting attention and allows handling. However, depending on her healing process and how the stress-induced likely compulsive behavior (that resulted in her wound) does or does not continue to manifest - Nala will require continued behavioral and veterinary intervention to manage her condition to maintain a suitable quality of life.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Nala is on the at-risk list due to medical concerns. Nala is a sweet old cat with a chronic wound (owner's report they've been struggling with it for 4 years). She also has severe dental disease. Nala will need veterinary follow up to ensure her wound is healing appropriately as well as a dental procedure. Behaviorally, she has been soliciting attention and allows handling. However, depending on her healing process and how the stress-induced likely compulsive behavior (that resulted in her wound) does or does not continue to manifest - Nala will require continued behavioral and veterinary intervention to manage her condition to maintain a suitable quality of life. Nala is a senior spayed female Domestic Short Hair who was recently surrendered to the shelter. She is a quiet but sweet, medium-energy cat who tended to keep to herself in her previous home and prefers calm, predictable environments. In her previous home, she lived indoors with adults and children and was described as shy and timid with unfamiliar people. In shelter, she has been very sweet and shoulder, soliciting attention and displaying a relaxed demeanor. She has no bite history and allows full handling, including brushing, nail trims, and carrier placement. She would benefit from living in a new home with only adults. Nala has been experiencing inconsistent litter box avoidance for approximately 8 months, recently becoming daily in the context of environmental stressors. She is reported to urinate and defecate outside the litter box, often under the bed. Medically, Nala is a geriatric cat with severe dental disease, a chronic self-inflicted wound on the neck likely related to stress, and mild non-regenerative anemia. She is currently under treatment including pain control and antibiotics, with ongoing monitoring. Her prognosis is considered fair, with improvement likely dependent on a low-stress environment and continued medical management. Despite her medical and behavioral challenges, Nala is affectionate, appreciates all petting and attention, head bunts and will paw at staffs' chests in order to show off her party trick. She without fail, will try and climb up onto staffs' shoulders and lay there like a warm orange scarf for a moment, generally seeming to enjoy being perched up on shoulders. She is best suited for a calm, experienced adopter or rescue placement that can provide a quiet home, consistent care, and support for her medical needs. Ideal placement: Low-stress home, minimal environmental changes, ongoing veterinary follow-up, and understanding of geriatric medical needs and litter box behavior concerns related to environmental stressors.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 8.8 lbs

Medical Notes

6/24/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 11-15 y/o based on dentition and appearance Microchip noted on Intake? scan negative History: owner surrender, reported to be scratching at neck for several years, behavior changes reported consistent with stress at home Subjective: BARH, observed scratching wound on ventral neck several times during exam Observed Behavior - allowed all handling, tense during restraint but docile and leaning into head rubs Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? NO Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 4-5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: severe dental disease; heavy calculus on upper arcades premolars/molars PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: female, spayed MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy slightly dull hair coat; open ulceration on ventral aspect of neck extending slightly caudally, thickened edges and granulation tissue present, mild serous discharge present CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal CBC- RBCs 5.86 low HCT 26.3 low HGB 8.3 low Lymph 0.82 low Platelets 114 low (aggregates detected) Biochemistry- ALP 11 low Assessment: ~13 y/o FS DSH Chronic wound on ventral neck - self excoriation/trauma r/o allergies, stress/behavior Non-regenerative anemia (bloodwork otherwise unremarkable) - r/o chronic disease Prognosis: Fair Plan: Ok for intake tasks Sedated with DKT 0.1ml of each. Insufficient sedation achieved, placed IV catheter and administered propofol IV to effect, intubated and maintain on isoflurane. Routine anesthesia and recovery. Under sedation: Collected urine via cystocentesis Clipped and cleaned wound on ventral neck using sterile saline. Healthy granulation tissue present. Administered at 4pm: -Zorbium topically -Convenia 8mg/kg SQ once -Depo-Medrol inj 0.25ml IM once (20mg/ml) -LRS SQ 50ml once Start: -Gabapentin 100mg PO q12h for analgesia and reduce FAS, may need this long term pending response *If no improvement in pruritus and wound, recommend ARL *Seek placement, will need continued management of wound and low stress environment SURGERY: N/a

6/24/2026

Brief recheck, UA results S/O: BAR at front, good appetite, no c/s/v/d noted, no ocular or nasal discharge, eupneic; wound at ventral neck stable. UA: NSF A/P: Chronic wound, geriatric, severe dental disease; continue current treatment plan and recheck as scheduled.

6/25/2026

recheck neck wound, comfort S/O BAR, at the front of the kennel, no c/s/v/d appreciated, reported to be eating well, food trays mostly disturbed EENT: ocular or nasal dc OD: anisocoria, with mydriasis, neg direct PLR HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4, ventral neck wound scabbing and contracting, no discharge appreciated, appears comfortable/non-pruritic upon exam A. Wound - healing anisocoria P. IOPs taken 20, 10, 15 -> wnl recheck tomorrow to see if anisocoria resolved Skin appears stable at this time, staff reports improvement- recheck in 3-4 days pending result of recheck tomorrow. Recheck neck wound 3 days CTM while at QACC

6/26/2026

Recheck anisocoria, wound S/O: BAR at front of kennel, soliciting attention, leans into petting, excellent appetite, no c/s/v/d noted. EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, mydriasis OU with no notable asocoria LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Ambulatory x 4, mild DMW; chronic wound at ventral neck has irregular margins with evidence of contraction CNS: Appropriate mentation A: Chronic wound - reported duration 4 years Anisocoria - resolved Severe dental disease Geriatric cat P: Continue gabapentin and monitor wound healing Recommend dental procedure with placement CTM while at QACC

6/28/2026

recheck exam for skin: S/O BAR, A+A, no c/s/v/d appreciated, good appetite, comes to the front of the kennel EENT: no ocular or nasal dc HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4, ventral neck wound, cranial most point of the wound with mild serous dc, otherwise irregular margins and contraction as prior A. Wound - chronic, contracting Geriatric P. Lightly applied dilute chlorohex to pin point region with serous dc- appears to be front scab removal. Applied small amount of SSD. CTM- wound has continued to heal, albeit slowly seek placement recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake she was handled minimally by staff and taken straight to medical.

Date of Intake: 6/22/2026

Is this cat having litter box issues?: Yes

If yes, Please elaborate:: The owner reported that Nala has had litter box issues inconsistently for 8 months. She will defecate and urinate outside of the litter box. Specifically, under the bed. This began 8 months ago on and off but as of 3 weeks ago it has been every day since due to environment stressors.

Basic Information:: Nala is a female spayed 13-year-old DSH cat that was surrendered to ACC.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult 2 children 1 bird

How is this cat around strangers?: She is reported to be shy and timid with strangers.

How is this cat around children?: She is tolerant with children.

How is this cat around other cats?: No experience

How is this cat around dogs?: No experience

Behavior Notes: Nala enjoys being brushed and held. She is unbothered when having her nails trimmed and placed in carrier.

Bite history:: No bite history

Energy level/descriptors:: Low

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: Yes

Medical Notes: Possible allergies last known vet visit was 3/2026

For a New Family to Know: Nala is an indoor only DSH cat. She is mostly quiet and spends most of her time in the bedroom. She is not interested in playtime and previously had access to carpet as a scratching surface. She was previously on a wet/food diet. She eats all brands except for seafood flavor. Nala had access to one covered litterbox located in the living room with unscented litter.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 1 adult 2 children 1 bird Behavior toward strangers: She is reported to be shy and timid with strangers. Behavior toward children: Tolerant with children Behavior toward cats: Unknown Behavior toward dogs: Unknown Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Noted to have LB issues for the last 8 mos due to environmental stress, had access to 1 covered litter box with primarily unscented litter located in the living room. Energy level/descriptors: Low Energy Level Other notes: Nala is an indoor only DSH cat. She is mostly quiet and spends most of her time in the bedroom. She is not interested in playtime and previously had access to carpet as a scratching surface. She was previously on a wet food diet. She eats all brands except for seafood flavor. Nala enjoys being brushed and held. She is unbothered when having her nails trimmed and placed in carrier. Upon intake she was handled minimally by staff and taken straight to medical.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Sweet,Affectionate,People oriented,Easy going,Curious

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Inappropriate elimination,Other

Potential challenges comments:: Client says her 13 y/o cat Nala's behavior changed 4 yrs ago after she had her first child. Nala began scratching at her neck leaving behind a small lesion and irritation that has progressively gotten larger and worse over the 4 yrs. The client at one point took her to the vet and she was treated for possible allergies and environmental behavior stress. In 2022, she was given steroids and antibiotics which helped for about a month before the behaviors started again. The client stated she's become less social in the home since the baby and scratches at her neck on and off. The client then had another child 2 yrs ago, causing Nala to become more stressed in the home. She began defecating and urinating under the bed close to 8 months ago on and off. Recently, the inappropriate behavior has been every day for the past 3 weeks. She took Nala to vet where they diagnosed her with a possible urine infection which was treated with antibiotics however the behavior continued. In her previous home she had access to one, covered, litterbox located in the living room. The client used unscented litter. The litter box was reported to be scooped every day, and the client attempted using different kinds of litter. She reported that the reason for this behavior is possibly due to the children in the home. 4 years ago, the client had her first child and her second one 2 years ago and Nala's been stressed since her first child was born. Nala is a very sweet and social cat who appears to have developed a very deeply engrained, stress-induced, maladaptive behavioral condition (Psychogenic Grooming) which has caused her to compulsively scratch at her own neck as a way to cope with the stress and anxiety of the new children in the home. This chronic self-soothing behavior, while temporarily providing short-term relief or comfort, ultimately causes long-term harm, as stated before - due to being exhibit over the course of 4 years, and also has come into the shelter displaying other stress related behavior/medical issues. She has been diagnosed and treated for a potential UTI after her inappropriate elimination issues intensified. Often times medical issues, and UTIs can be caused but external/environmental factors like stress - and once treated, the litter box issues continued. Nala has been exhibiting inappropriate elimination issues for the last 8 months, which have become more severe in the last 3 weeks. The owner notes that her litter box is located in the living room which can be one of the most high traffic rooms in a home. Nala had had an accident and urinated on the linens at the time of her assessment but used the box for defecating. The behavior team will continue to monitor her LB habits as she adjusts. Managing psychogenic grooming requires addressing the root anxiety while managing the compulsive habit. This requires a combination of Behavior Modification and Veterinary Intervention.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 1

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Other,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavioral issues related to the environmental stress of living in a home with new/young children, the behavior team feels Nala would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment. While Nala is a very sweet and social cat, due to her behavior needs and requirements - adopters must be experienced and willing to take on her needs and commit to the upkeep and high-stakes needs of a cat like her.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: On approach, Nala is sitting near the front of the cage with a soft face and body, ears forward, and tail loosely wrapped. She immediately leans her head softly into the hand offered out to her and fits her cheek into the assessor's palm. She easily accepts and continues to lean into head and cheek pets, and stands to accept pets along her back with her tail raised high. She then lays on her side with her back resting along the assessor's arm. She stretches her arm forward before rolling back and leaning along their arm, continuing to accept pets along her side. When she stands again, she steps forward to press her head against the assessor's chest and paws at their chest/shoulder. She then enthusiastically climbs up onto their shoulder and over so that her belly is resting along the back of their neck and her head and front feet are on one shoulder, and back feet are on the other. When the assessor leans their shoulder down towards the cage, she jumps back in and steps back to the front to receive more pets. She accepts/allows a traditional pick up as well, but again looks to climb up onto the assessor's shoulder. Nala is a very sweet senior cat that interacts with the assessor, solicits attention, is easy to handle and tolerates all petting. She presents with all the behaviors that would be ideal for a first time pet owner but has some behaviors that will require modification work as well as veterinary intervention to ideally get her back on track to live her best and highest quality of life. So while this cat is showing most behaviors that are suitable for any level of adopter experience, she is really looking for her Super Star #1 Person to start her off on the right path to the next chapter.