Animal Profile
Rickie
Hello, my name is Rickie. My animal id is #248337. I am a desexed male gray tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 10 years old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 2/26/2026, with the surrender reason stated as animal health - cannot afford vet bill.
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Rickie is on the at-risk list for medical concerns. He has chronic diarrhea and his surrendering owner reports that he sometimes does not make it to the litter box. He is underweight. He needs further work-up that may include abdominal ultrasound and abdominal exploratory to biopsy specimens. He needs care and attention that we cannot provide.
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. A volunteer writes:Rickie is a sweet senior, surrendered to us as his owner could not afford his care anymore. Rickie, indeed, suffers from chronic diarrhea for a while and is quite underweight. Initially a little uncomfortable and stressed by his relinquishment, Rickie is now quite a gentle soul, just like his former owner describes him as a housepet. He is most often seen in plain sight and comes right away to greet his visitors. Rickie enjoys petting very much but would not mind jumping off and exploring the room. He does not hold a grudge when he is told:no... Rickie is all together a lovely cat who so would love to feel better and resume a comfortable and happy life, at home with a loving owner or family. Rickie is laying inside of his den as the assessor approaches, lip licking and looking around the room. When the kennel door is opened, he begins to meow softly, greeting the assessor at the front of the kennel. He softly meows throughout the interaction and head bunts the assessor's hands, leaning into and allowing all petting and raising his hind when pet down his back. Rickie attempts to climb onto the assessor's shoulders to exit the kennel and is able to be maneuvered back into the kennel without issue. He is able to be easily picked up and tenses momentarily before relaxing. When placed back in the kennel, he remains at the front and continues to allow and lean into all petting and softly meow at the assessor. Rickie interacts with the observer, solicits & appreciates attention, is easy to handle and tolerates all petting. This cat is showing behavior appropriate for cat parents with either an average amount of cat experience or demonstrate a basic understanding of typical cat behavior. Rickie is on the at-risk list for medical concerns. He has chronic diarrhea and his surrendering owner reports that he sometimes does not make it to the litter box. He is underweight. He needs further work-up that may include abdominal ultrasound and abdominal exploratory to biopsy specimens. He needs care and attention that we cannot provide.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 6 lbs
2/26/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 10-12 years based on dentition, consistent with owner reports Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned positive History: Owner surrender, reported to have had chronic diarrhea. Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - stress meowing in kennel, attempted to coax into den and became more vocal and escalated to swatting. Placed in Freeman net and opted to sedate using 0.15 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.15 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, moderate calculus -- limited exam performed. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, mildly thickened intestinal loops palpated, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), skin free of parasites, no masses noted, dorsal muscle wasting, dull hair coat. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Chronic diarrhea, per owner - r/o IBD vs. GI lymphoma vs. other Dehydration Moderate to severe dental disease Neutered male Prognosis: Poor to fair pending bloodwork Plan: Intake tasks + exam CBC/CHM in house Await sort + behavior assessment House in medical to monitor diarrhea and appetite GI diet 0.15 ml antisedan IM SURGERY: Already neutered
2/26/2026
CBC HCT 36.9% Hgb 11.7 g/dL WBC 14.2 K/uL - mild neutrophilia 11.7 K/uL CHM Glucose 100mg/dL SDMA 8 ug/dL Creatinine 1.6 mg/dL BUN 24 mg/dL Lytes WNL ALT WNL ALP < 10 U/L GGT 5 U/L (0-4) TT4 wnl A: Neutrophilia- r/o inflammatory vs. other Decreased ALP, not clinically significant Mildly elevated GGT- r/o infectious vs. inflammatory vs. neoplasia vs. other P: CWCT
2/27/2026
SO: BAR, ate all wet food in kennel overnight eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: diarrhea P: 1/4 tsp psyllium husks PO BID indefinitely GI diet
3/1/2026
Issue List: - chronic diarrhea - underweight - dental disease Q-BAR vocalizing EENT: no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: eupneic U/G: MC MSI: Ambulatory x 4, dull hair coat; underweight CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) diarrhea r/o infiltrative disease vs other P) CWSC consider food modification and steroid trial for IBD recommending the ARL
3/2/2026
Watery diarrhea persists A: r/o ibd vs food sensitivity vs other Plan prednisolone 5mg 1 tablet po sid x 10d then 1/2 tablet po sid x 10d then 1/2 tablet eod. Vitamin b12 1000mcg/ml 0.3 ml sq once a week for 6 doses
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 4. Orange
Is this cat having litter box issues?: Yes
If yes, Please elaborate:: Has litter box accidents, the client described that he would attempt to make to the litter box, but it seems that they can't make it in time. The client also described that in the past 24hrs, he meowed while using the litter box. There is 1 litter box in the home, and it was uncovered with unscented litter. The accidents happen daily and began the past few weeks. The client said that they clean the litter box often, they also have scooped more often and used enzymatic cleaner, blocked areas that were soiled and even changed the type of litter, but the behavior did not change.
Basic Information:: Rickie is a 10-year-old DSH who was surrendered due to having health issues and litter box issues.
Previously lived with:: 2 adults but 1 currently
How is this cat around strangers?: Reported to be friendly and outgoing
How is this cat around children?: No experience
How is this cat around other cats?: Reported to play gently
How is this cat around dogs?: No experience
Behavior Notes: If they hiss, growl, swat or bite it is defensive. Trims their nails: Struggles or squirms Brushes their coat: Enjoys Picks up or holds them: Enjoys Places them in a carrier: Stress meows
Bite history:: No
Energy level/descriptors:: Medium
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: Yes
Medical Notes: Diarrhea for over a year.
For a New Family to Know: Rickie is described as a friendly cat who spent his life indoors. He likes to be where the people are and enjoys stalking and pouncing on feet. He receives interactive playtime once a day and enjoys carpet, fabric textures. The previous owner describes him as a sweet cat. Rickie enjoys both wet and dry food (Fancy Feast) and loves anything chicken flavored!
KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Previously lived with: 2 adults but 1 currently Behavior toward strangers: Reported to be friendly and outgoing Behavior toward children: No experience Behavior toward cats: Reported to play gently Behavior toward dogs: No experience Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Yes but client stated that he would attempt to make it to the litter box and not make it in time over the past few weeks (appears to be a possible medical issue and is currently being evaluated in shelter) Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: If they hiss, growl, swat or bite it is defensive. Trims their nails: Struggles or squirms Brushes their coat: Enjoys Picks up or holds them: Enjoys Places them in a carrier: Stress meows Rickie is described as a friendly cat who spent his life indoors. He likes to be where the people are and enjoys stalking and pouncing on feet. He receives interactive playtime once a day and enjoys carpet, fabric textures. The previous owner describes him as a sweet cat. Rickie enjoys both wet and dry food (Fancy Feast) and loves anything chicken flavored!
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate
VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty
CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Sweet,People oriented,Curious
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Other
Potential challenges comments:: Please note that this cat is being treated for a medical condition at the time of evaluation. It does not appear that the medical condition is affecting her behavior. Rickie was reported to defecate outside of the litter box. This does, however, appear to likely be due to a possible medical condition rather than true inappropriate elimination, as noted by him attempting to get to the litter box and accidents happening near the box.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 2
RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children
Recommendations comments:: Rickie is friendly and sweet but was reported by his previous owner to stalk and pounce on feet. Although this appears to be motivated by play, he may not be the best fit for a home with very young children. No children under age 5, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Rickie is laying inside of his den as the assessor approaches, lip licking and looking around the room. When the kennel door is opened, he begins to meow softly, greeting the assessor at the front of the kennel. He softly meows throughout the interaction and head bunts the assessor's hands, leaning into and allowing all petting and raising his hind when pet down his back. Rickie attempts to climb onto the assessor's shoulders to exit the kennel and is able to be maneuvered back into the kennel without issue. He is able to be easily picked up and tenses momentarily before relaxing. When placed back in the kennel, he remains at the front and continues to allow and lean into all petting and softly meow at the assessor. Rickie interacts with the observer, solicits & appreciates attention, is easy to handle and tolerates all petting. This cat is showing behavior appropriate for cat parents with either an average amount of cat experience or demonstrate a basic understanding of typical cat behavior.