Animal Profile

Onyx Phonics needs at risk placement for medical reasons. He is a sweet boy who loves had rubs but is not eating in shelter due to a severe upper respiratory infection. He needs supportive care in a veterinary clinic to recover.

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. Onyx Phonics needs at risk placement for medical reasons. He is a sweet boy who loves had rubs but is not eating in shelter due to a severe upper respiratory infection. He needs supportive care in a veterinary clinic to recover. A volunteer writes: Onyx Phonics and housemate Sabby were brought to the Manhattan Care Center as their elderly owner sadly passed away. Onyx, an all ebony handsome gent was a little nervous at the beginning of his stay but quickly settled into a very friendly mode, happy to have company, getting pets and rolling on the kennel floor to show how glad he was to be attended to. Onyx is even sweet and welcoming with the veterinary team and very compliant with the care he is getting. We are all sad to see him so affected by his URI and wish upon a star to see him getting the supportive care he needs at an outside veterinary facility. Onyx is a great guy, let's give him the help he so deserves! What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I have lived with cats in my previous home. Cheek and chin scratches make me so happy! 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 am finding the shelter a little overwhelming, but when it's just you and me and some peace and quiet you'll see what a love bug I am. Onyx Phonics tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 13.9 lbs

Medical Notes

8/1/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-6 years based on dentition, consistent with owner reports Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner passed away Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - head bunting den stick initially but then begins hissing and growling, needed to be coaxed into den using baby food, but then continues growling while in den. Conflicted. Opted to sedate using 0.2 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.2 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) + 0.2 ml Ketamine (100mg/ml) IM. Adequate sedation reached. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? 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, very mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), no ectoparasites noted, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Apparently healthy Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment 0.2 ml antisedan IM SURGERY: OK for surgery

8/6/2026

Noted while cage side to have clear nasal discharge S: QAR on top of den O: EEN- eyes clear, clear nasal discharge H/L- eupneic but sniffling MSK/i- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: Mild URI Appears to be eating P: Fortiflora 1 packet PO SID x7d Recheck in 1 week CTM in care

8/12/2026

SO: Diagnosed with URI QAR, not eating eent: eyes clear, heavy nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated, but congested msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI modertate P: 150ml LRS sc SID x5d 0.6ml cerenia sc SID x5d 0.6ml doxycycline PO SID x7d

8/14/2026

SO: On treatment for moderate URI. Reported very lethargic BAR, moved down to medical isolation, Laying sternal in den eent: eyes clear, mucoid nasal dc apparent, small ulcer on nasal planum h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated, audible congestion msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-moderate P: zorbium for weight nebulize with saline 15 minutes SID x5d continue other treatments

8/16/2026

Issue List: - severe URI - anorexia QAR H; quiet; food untouched EENT: nasal discharge noted H/L: eupneic U/G: MI MSI: Ambulatory x 4, normal hair coat CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) URI marked P) CWSC

8/17/2026

Issue List: - severe URI - worsened - Severe oral ulcers - anorexia - continued QAR H; quiet; food untouched EENT: Severe nasal discharge and hypersalivation. Severe oral ulcerations noted. H/L: eupneic, severe audible upper respiratory congestion CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) URI marked Hemorrhagic NDC vs. hypersalivation Oral ulcers - severe P) Add in additional supportive care due to concerns for worsening disease: - Convenia 0.6ml SQ - Mirataz transdermal SID x 3 days - BW - Start gabapentin 100mg BID until further directed - Add magic mouthwash BID x 3 days. recheck placed for 8/18 to view progress, will be due for zorbium again tomorrow.

8/18/2026

BW results: CBC: Neutrophils 13.8 (H) Lymph 0.9 (L) Chem: Creatinine 0.6 (L) BUN 9 (L) Assessment: No obvious clinical concerns on BW. __________________________________ Recheck exam Patient is QAR, will lean in/enjoy petting but prefers to sleep. Did not eat overnight, continues to have severe NDC/crusting and hypersalivation. A: Severe URI Oral ulceration P: Place an IV catheter, start IV fluids 10ml/hour. Administer zorbium for 13lb weight Recheck scheduled for 8/19, consider ARL vs. deadline vs. EHR pending how he does overnight.

8/19/2026

Pet QAR on top of den. he did not eat overnight. A: URI severe anorexia prognosis: poor Plan LRS 30 mls/hr IV advise at risk placement

8/20/2026

upon checking P, he chewed out his t-port checked that IVC is still patent, replaced t-port and put an e-collar on him. started him on IVF at 30ml/hr as per vet 2172

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of Intake: 7/31/2026

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: Onyx is a 4 year old male DSH. owner is surrendering due to the death of the original owner.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult.

How is this cat around strangers?: Onyx is known to be friendly and outgoing, plays gently, and shy and timid. He also hides initially.

How is this cat around children?: Onyx is known to be friendly and outgoing, plays gently, and shy and timid. He also hides initially.

How is this cat around other cats?: Plays gently and hides initially.

How is this cat around dogs?: plays gently.

Behavior Notes: N/A

Bite history:: None reported.

Energy level/descriptors:: medium

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Onyx is known to be friendly, quiet, lazy/couch potato, and independent. He only has access to indoor only. Onyx likes to be where people are, living room, bedroom, and kitchen. he enjoys to play gently and likes to play hide and seek. He gets play time twice a day. Person states that they loves how he gets along and plays with other cats. Onyx loves wet and dry food.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Onyx Phonics was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Onyx Phonics lived with another cat in his previous home.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 8/5/26 Vol. He was sitting on top of his den when I approached kennel. He jumped down to greet me and I was able to pet him with the scratcher tool. Ate a Squeeze-up from my finger and then was able to pet him a bit more by hand. Wasn’t interested in playing at this time. Sweet boy who has definite potential! 8/12/26 Vol. Onyx was lying on his side, sleeping with his limbs spread out away from his body. He gradually woke when spoken to, getting up into a crouched position. He sniffed at treats, but did not eat. He tolerated gentle and string on his head, gradually leaning into cheek rubs. He turned his head occasionally to get scratches on both cheeks. After two or three minutes, he lay back down on his side and closed his eyes, continuing to gently push his head into petting for another minute before appearing to fall asleep.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Shy ,Sweet,Timid

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior observed in the care center, no children under 13. Respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Onyx Phonics is laying on top of his den, pupils dilated and ears forward as the assessor approaches. When the kennel door is opened, he tenses slightly, lip licking. He is gently tossed treats, which he appears interested in, getting up and sniffing the air before laying back down, not eating them. When he is softly spoken to petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he tenses for a second before leaning into petting on the head and cheeks, closing his eyes as he is pet and gently head bunting the tool. When petting by hand is attempted, he allows brief petting on the top of his head before leaning away, tensing, and backing himself against the back wall, sitting upright and lip licking with wide eyes. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. Onyx Phonics tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.