u/NoNefariousness2001

Hi all! My fiance and I are big swing/big band fans and are coming to NYC for my birthday at the end of November. I was going to take him to Swing 46 as I used to go there every NYC trip, but saw that it has since closed - does anyone have any comparable recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Timeline:

About a month ago, my cat was treated for an eye infection from herpes flareup (he is FIV+ and develops this a lot), he was prescribed eyedrops and given a steroid shot. Within two weeks of that visit, he developed a badly stuffy nose and started sneezing blood.

The vet initially had us try oral antibiotics plus OTC allergy medicine. After a week with no improvement in the bloody sneezing, I brought him back in for an exam. The vet found a decayed upper fang (canine) on the LEFT side of his mouth and believes the tooth root is the source and extraction is scheduled for this Friday. If the extraction doesn't resolve it, the next step would be a CT scan to look inside the nasal passages, but that's beyond my budget right now, so I'm hoping the tooth really is the culprit.

**Current symptoms:**

* Sneezing blood (only when sneezing, no dripping at rest)

* Actual snot/discharge comes ONLY from the left nostril (same side as the bad fang)

* Blood comes from both nostrils when he sneezes, but the right nostril produces blood only, no snot

* He breathes better through the right nostril; left is the congested side

* New as of today: a small bleeding spot on the outside of his nose that looks like an opened scab

* Otherwise doing well: eating, drinking, grooming, using the litter box, breathing through his nose (stuffily), normal energy

My questions:

1. Does this presentation fit a tooth root abscess from the upper canine? I've read the upper fang root sits close to the nasal cavity and can create a draining tract, but is the scab-like spot on his nose consistent with that?
2. Does snot from only the left side + blood from both nostrils still point to a single left-sided source, or does bilateral blood suggest something else?
3. If the extraction reveals an obvious abscess/fistula, how likely is it that the CT would still be needed?

I am just so anxious because I want to do everything I can for him to improve his pain, but I have very limited funds to pay for a surgery like this AND a CT scan /other procedures if the tooth turns out not to be the culprit. Any advice appreciated!!!

* Species: Feline
* Age: 8ish
* Sex/Neuter status: neutered, M
* Breed: Domestic shorthair tabby
* Body weight: 13.5
* History: FIV+, chronic herpes flareups
* Clinical signs: Bloody sneezing, nasal congestion, unilateral snot (left), scab-like lesion on outside of nose/infected/chipped upper left fang
* Duration: bloody sneezing 8-9 days, infected tooth: not sure, 2 months? he has had the chipped tooth since I found him.
* Your general location: KY