[HELP] 5yo Cat: Day 3 of ER Visits. 103.6 Fever (Rising), Non-Responsive Nausea, FHV-1 Flare & Secondary Infection

My 5-year-old male neutered tabby cat, Tycho, was recently on steroids for allergies and noisy breathing. He is currently tapering off of them due to reactions he’s had. The immune suppression from the steroids triggered a massive Herpes (FHV-1) flare-up and a secondary bacterial infection. We are now on our 3rd consecutive night at the ER.

The Clinical Picture:

• Fever: His temperature has crept up 0.1°F every day. He is currently at 103.6°F.

• Extreme Nausea: He gags at the smell of any food (tuna water, wet food). He received a Cerenia injection 24 hours ago, but the nausea is not subsiding. He vomited last night and is currently gagging at all food and not drinking.

• Current Meds: He has been started on antibiotics (for the secondary infection), Famciclovir (for the Herpes), and Mirtazapine (appetite stimulant). While his respiratory symptoms are slightly better, the GI distress and fever won’t seem to budge.

The Dilemma:

The ER presented the option of hospitalization ($3,500+) for IV fluids and monitoring. I have hit a financial and emotional wall. If I felt one night in the ER would fix this I would do it, but I am not convinced a single night in the hospital will "fix" this viral/bacterial crash, and I cannot afford a multi-day stay at this rate.

I am at a total loss. I need help understanding how to manage this.

• Nausea: What can be done when Cerenia fails to stop the gagging/scent aversion?

• Fever: How concerned should I be about the 103.6°F trend, and what are the options for bringing it down if hospitalization isn't an option?

• Outpatient Care: What is the most aggressive "supportive care" plan I can request to do from home (SQ fluids, different meds, etc.) to bridge the gap without the $3,500 stay?

• Has anyone dealt with this "triple threat" of steroid withdrawal, Herpes flare, and secondary infection?

All suggestions, medical insights, or personal experiences with similar circumstances are welcomed.

It occurred to me that the visits are just adding stress to him but without him eating and drinking I felt I needed to as per vet instructions.

TLDR: 5 year old male tabby cat has increasing fever and nausea due to herpes virus and bacterial infection. He is otherwise a healthy boy and I’m at a loss for what to do