Animal Profile

Romero is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Romero is an adult diabetic cat. We are unable to manage his diabetes in the shelter effectively. Romero should be placed in a home that is prepared to medically manage his diabetes long-term, as this is most often a life-long condition.

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. Romero is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Romero is an adult diabetic cat. We are unable to manage his diabetes in the shelter effectively. Romero should be placed in a home that is prepared to medically manage his diabetes long-term, as this is most often a life-long condition. My foster writes: Romero! A shy, sweet, and happy black void. He seems to love being around people and, after some warming up, he'll be a charming love bug! Romero needs to be understood and he will let you know when he needs something with some sweet rubbing against you and cute plops on his back. What my friends at ACC say about me: What do you get when you cross a cat with a couch? A cat-potato! And that's me to a T! I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. Romero interacts with the observer, appreciates attention and allows all petting, but did not appear to like being picked up during their behavior evaluation. He grumbles and low growls when pick up was attempted. Please keep in mind there are many reasons why a cat may be uncomfortable with this type of handling and that this may not necessarily translate into a home environment. We recommend that this cat go to an adult-only home with experienced cat parents.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 11.375 lbs

8/31/2023

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 5y, exam agrees 3-5 Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Brought in through field after bite incident in home. Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense and growling, but allows all handling. Does not escalate. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: adult dentition with mild tartar, but oral exam limited due to behavior PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male neutered MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment overweight Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks appropriate to hold observe bite hold needs behavior assessment already neutered

9/7/2023

Hx: Due for release from rabies observation SO: BAR, comes to front of kennel, taking treats. Not interested in attention eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated ambulatory x4 mentation alert and appropriate, no neurological deficits noted on visual exam A: no clinical signs of rabies appreciated P: continue to monitor while in care report findings to DOHMH

9/10/2023

Staff notes increased urine output. Pet is QAR r/o normal variation vs metabolic disease Plan check urine specific gravity & glucose via free catch sample when available +/- ua, chem screen

9/12/2023

Pet is QAR and eating dry food during rounds EEN: No ocular or nasal discharge RESP: Eupneic Free catch urine: Clear, amber colored s.g. greater than 1.050 Negative glucose Negative ketones A: Pet appears well. r/o dehydration vs bilirubinuria Plan UA to lab o/n +/- chem screen if indicated

9/13/2023

Free catch urine- limited value negative for glucose urine well concentrated at 1.061 observed increased thirst- monitor

9/10/2023

Left no sorb in kennel and "collect urine" sign on kennel door

9/12/2023

Rabies vaccines administered. Record updated.

11/11/2024

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: dentition and conformation consistent w prior reported age of 6 years Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: o surrender Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - limited kitty minutes, swatted, but able to perform blood draw w head tapping and towel Is there evidence of Cruelty? N Is there evidence of Neglect? N Is there evidence of Trauma? N Objective T = NP P = wnl R = wnl BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, AS with moderate dark brown ceruminous dc, AD cl , no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: moderate wear and staining to visible dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful but tense, no masses palpated U/G: MN MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, dull hair coat w dander, muscle wasting over epaxials CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: DRENP, externally wnl Assessment Weight loss- p lost 10 pounds since last year Dental dz Prognosis: guarded pending BW Plan: intake exam and tasks CBC/CHEM/T4 to lab Reassess with results of blood work tomorrow. Unclear if patient was on diet d/t prior obesity or if weight loss is d/t underlying metabolic dz or neoplasia SURGERY: Okay for surgery: N

11/12/2024

Recheck, bloodwork results; cat lost 10 pounds in a year S/O: BAR, active at front of kennel Ate well overnight No c/s/v/d noted Eupneic CBC: thrombocytosis 763 (155-641) CHEM: hyperglycemia 662 (72-175), hyperkalemia 5.5 (3.7-5.2), hypochloridemia 110 (114-126), hypercholesterolemia 318 (91-305) T4: wnl A: Hyperglycemia - Diabetes mellitus > stress Severe weight loss in one year - likely secondary to above Dental disease P: Move to ICU Collect urine for UA Start PZI 1 unit SQ BID indefinitely CTM closely and seek placement for long-term care (diabetes is most often life-long in cats)

11/13/2024

UA (free catch/LB sample) - USG 1.043, pH 5.5, protein 1+, glucose 3+

11/15/2024

Brief DM recheck, started PZI 3 days ago S/O: BAR, active at front of kennel Good appetite No c/s/v/d noted Eupneic A: Diabetes, dental disease P: Continue with current treatment plan and recheck in 5 days

11/20/2024

Progress exam Subjective: BAR, no c/s/v/d. Appetite excellent, eating DM food well. Accepted petting on head, leaned into chin rubs. Objective: Eyes: Clear bilaterally, no discharge Oronasal: No nasal discharge. Lungs: Eupneic Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory x 4 with no appreciable lameness. Neuro: Appropriate mentation. 11/13-11/20: Average AM BG: 361 mg/dL Low 303 mg/dL High 442 mg/dL Assessment: -Diabetes mellitus (fair to poor control) -Dental disease Plan: -CTM BG and appetite daily, allow patient to acclimate to dose. Consider insulin increase +/- freestyle libre at next recheck based on updated BG tracking

11/25/2024

Progress exam Subjective: BAR, no c/s/v/d. Appetite excellent. Objective: Eyes: Clear bilaterally, no discharge Oronasal: No nasal discharge. Lungs: Eupneic Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory x 4 with no appreciable lameness. Neuro: Appropriate mentation. 11/21-11/25: Average BGs (AM and PM): 174 mg/dL Low 89 mg/dL High 344 mg/dL *Note* Patient has not received insulin since 11/22 due to low/normal BGs Assessment: -Diabetes mellitus (marked improvement in control) -Dental disease Plan: -Electing to remove patient from insulin/daily BG checks at this time due to high FAS -Scheduled BG checks every 3 days to monitor values -Continue to feed DM diet indefinitely

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

At pickup Romero was calm and easy to handle. He was loaded into a carrier without difficulty.

Spay/Neuter status: Yes

Date of Intake: 8/31/2023

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: Romero was picked up as an owner surrender.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult

How is this cat around strangers?: Romero is normally friendly with strangers.

How is this cat around children?: Romero has not lived with children.

How is this cat around other cats?: Romero has not lived with other cats.

How is this cat around dogs?: Romero has not lived with dogs.

Bite history:: Recent bite history. The bite occurred randomly as the victim was talking to Romero's owner.

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Romero has always been kept indoors. He will not scratch furniture and enjoys most cat toys.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 1 Adult Behavior toward strangers: normally friendly with strangers. Behavior toward children: Unknown Behavior toward cats: Has a history of being territorial/bullying the new cat added to the home after an initial few months of peace in his most recent home, would redirect this stress onto his owner and eliminate inappropriately. Behavior toward dogs: Unknown Bite or Scratch history: Initially brought into the shelter for bite incident in his original home, and would bite at new adopter’s ankles and feet, please see “potential challenges” section for more info. Litter box training: Yes, Previously used an unspecified litter and litter box. Due to excessive stress with a new cat being added to his previous home, he began to have inappropriate elimination issues but it appears that these were directly related to this environmental stressor as he did not have these issues before. Energy level/descriptors: Medium Energy Level Other notes: Romero has always been kept indoors. He will not scratch furniture and enjoys most cat toys. Upon arrival cat was tucked behind bookshelf at entry of apartment. Shelf was moved and cat ran to bathroom. Once in bathroom cat was secured via net and placed in tomahawk. Cat attempted to bite staff on finger through net but only grabbed tip of glove, no contact was made to actual finger.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/8/23 Head bunts the hand when petted. Looks around scanning the room throughout the interaction. Ignores offered treats but seems to appreciate attention as he continues to lean against the hand. 9/9/23 Romero came forward relaxed and curious with a high tail and enjoyed all petting leaning in for cheek rubs. Sweet cat. High urine output noted on board. 9/11/23 Romero was lying at the front relaxed and enjoyed all petting and raised his rear and partly raised his tail with each stroke along his back. Ignored treats and sneezed once.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Uncomfortable with pick up,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Romero has a previous bite incident where his first owner's home attendant was bitten by her cat on 8/28 @ 4pm. They were standing in the hallway of the apartment talking, when Romero came from behind and bite her on her left leg. The cat caused 4 punctures and drew blood. After the incident, the cat hid underneath the wardrobe. She went to a hospital to have it cleaned and checked out. It is unclear what the trigger was in this incident or what events were leading up to the moment. In his most recent home, due to the environmental stressor of a new cat being added to the home, he began to redirect onto his owner as well and would bite at his feet and ankles. It is unclear if this ever drew blood. When Romero was picked up from this home by an ARS, he did attempt to bite the staff member through the net but only got the tip of their glove (see known history above for more info). During his initial evaluation as well as his evaluation upon returning to the shelter, Romero appears to be slightly uncomfortable with being picked up/held and will grumble or low growl but is somewhat tolerant and did not escalate. The behavior team would recommend to limit handling and to use treats to encourage him into his carrier.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Single-pet home,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: "After the most recent owner adopted a new cat and did a careful introduction, both cats got along well. About 2 ½ weeks ago the owner came home and discovered that they were doing very poorly with each other. Clearly something happened between them while they were out. Romero was confined to their bedroom, and he was biting their ankles and urinating and defecating outside the litter box. Romero was very stressed out. The last time they saw each other was 2 days ago and both were very stressed with low tails and pilo-erect (raised) fur. Then they were separated." - (paraphrased from behavior consult note in GAN) Due to notes from previous home, the behavior team feels Romero should go to an adult-only and single pet home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Romero was sitting upright upon approach. Alert with eyes wide, scanning the room. He slowly engages the front when spoken softly to. Tail low while accepting pets along the head and body. After a few strokes, he head bunts and tail slowly goes high throughout the interaction. During pick up, he grumbles but allows petting all over when held for a few seconds. After placing him back down, he continues to tolerate more petting and attention. Upon returning to the shelter, Romero is laying at the front of his cage with a neutral face and body, ears forward, and stands when the cage door is opened. He leans into pets along his head and body with his tail raised and appears curious about the room around him. When the assessor gently reaches over him to lift him up as he is pressed against their side, he grumbles and low growls but is tolerant and does not escalate. Romero interacts with the observer, appreciates attention and allows all petting, but did not appear to like being picked up during their behavior evaluation. He grumbles and low growls when pick up was attempted. Please keep in mind there are many reasons why a cat may be uncomfortable with this type of handling and that this may not necessarily translate into a home environment. We recommend that this cat go to an adult-only home with experienced cat parents.