Animal Profile

Kangaroo Jack is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He has had persistent chronic diarrhea throughout his shelter stay despite multiple treatment trials, including GI diet, Panacur, metronidazole, psyllium, probiotics, and most recently a course of Tylosin. He was severely underweight on intake and, although he has gained significant weight, he remains underweight. He also has an abnormal hindlimb gait with medial rotation/valgus and bilateral muscle atrophy, which may be related to his previous severe underweight condition versus an underlying orthopedic/congenital abnormality. Given the persistence of his diarrhea despite shelter-based management, he would benefit from placement where additional GI diagnostics, dietary trials, and treatment can be pursued. Behaviorally, he can be tense with medical handling and has growled, but has been manageable with precautionary muzzling and is highly food motivated.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Kangaroo Jack is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He has had persistent chronic diarrhea throughout his shelter stay despite multiple treatment trials, including GI diet, Panacur, metronidazole, psyllium, probiotics, and most recently a course of Tylosin. He was severely underweight on intake and, although he has gained significant weight, he remains underweight. He also has an abnormal hindlimb gait with medial rotation/valgus and bilateral muscle atrophy, which may be related to his previous severe underweight condition versus an underlying orthopedic/congenital abnormality. Given the persistence of his diarrhea despite shelter-based management, he would benefit from placement where additional GI diagnostics, dietary trials, and treatment can be pursued. Behaviorally, he can be tense with medical handling and has growled, but has been manageable with precautionary muzzling and is highly food motivated. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! It is unknown if I have ever lived with other animals or children. I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. I would appreciate a slow introduction to new people and places so I can feel safe.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 41 lbs

Medical Notes

8/8/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1-4 y/o based on dentition Microchip present?: scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - tense throughout exam, growled once when entered; muzzled as a precaution, did not escalate; highly food motivated Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? NO Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 2/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: exam is limited due to muzzle placement; incisors and canines have no tartar or plaque PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male, 2 testes palpable MSI: Ambulatory x 4 with tarsal valgus and poor muscle coverage of pelvic limbs (near emaciated) skin free of parasites, no masses noted, scruffy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Assessment: ~2 y/o MI husky mix Severely underweight Prognosis: Fair Plan: Feed BID for 7 days, not re-feeding protocol is ok On day 7, add TID feeding sign + reweigh Bloodwork in house - CBC/Chem Start trazodone 100mg PO q12h to reduce fAS in shelter SURGERY: Temporary waiver due to underweight

8/15/2026

Progress exam - underweight, on TID feedings started a few days ago Bloodwork results from 8/8: CBC: RBCs 5.02 low HCT 30.7 low HGB 11.6 low MCV 61.1 low RDW 12.6 low Retic 8.4 low Platelets 145 low Biochemistry: Sodium 142 sl low S/O: BAR, taking treats and food readily. Eating well in shelter. No c/s/v, diarrhea reported. Weight today is 28.2 lbs (was 30lbs at intake 1 week ago). A: mild non-regenerative anemia r/o chronic disease Weight loss in shelter, despite TID feeding Diarrhea P: Placement monitoring log to assess appetite and diarrhea *Start panacur x 5 days + psyllium husk *Recheck and reweigh in 5 days *If no improvement in diarrhea or weight loss continues, recommend fecal test + further diagnostics +/- add to ARL

8/15/2026

Reweighed at 28.2 lbs // Completed

8/15/2026

Diarrhea reported multiple times on rounds board Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. Reweighed today 28# Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4 NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed Diarrhea PLAN: Per standing orders - Start RC GI dietq12h x 5 days -Start psyllium husk 1 scoops PO q24h x5days, & panacur 50mg/kg PO q24h x5days -Placed monitor log on kennel -CTM, recheck as scheduled

8/20/2026

recheck underweight, D++ S/O Brought into medical, BAR, staff noted what appeared to be V in kennel and several piles of FS7. On GI diet, no c/s appreciated EENT: no ocular or nasal dc, -ITC, mm pale pi <2 sec HL: eupneic GA: npm MSI: amb x 4 CNS: mentation appropriate A. D persists despite panacur. Just started on GI diet. once episode of V+ r/o terminal wretch- not start on doxy aTT as no other CIRDC signs and electing to start metro Emaciated- weight appears stable aTT, slight gain metro 20mg/kg PO BID x 5 days (250mg) ensure GI biome signage up - p should not be receiving any treats that aren't GI diet recheck in 2 days, consider sedated rads if still noted to have V or D, consider moving into medical for closer monitoring CTM at QACC

8/20/2026

Reweigh & Let DVM Know 29# ///Done

8/22/2026

Recheck diarrhea S/O: BAR at front, good appetite, no c/s/v noted, diarrhea FS 7 noted consistently EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Amb x 4, underweight CNS: Appropriate mentation A: Diarrhea - ro stress vs dysbiosis vs infectious vs other Underweight/emaciation P: Continue metronidazole and GI diet Restart psyllium husk PO SID x 7 days Start fortiflora PO SID x 14 days CTM closely on rounds, recheck before stopping metro

8/25/2026

DVM Progress Exam S/O: -BAR at front of kennel, good appetite, no c/v noted, one note of sneezing, diarrhea FS 5 noted yesterday (improved from consistent FS 7) -EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge -LUNGS: Eupneic -MSI: Amb x 4, underweight -CNS: Appropriate mentation A: -Diarrhea - ro stress vs dysbiosis vs infectious vs other - starting to improve? -Underweight/emaciation: BCS 3/9; improving, appears to have gained 4-5 lbs in 5 days -Sneezing - ro incidental vs developing CIRDC? -Overgrown nails - resolved P: -Vitamin B12 injection, 1 ml SQ once; could repeat weekly -Reweigh: 34.2 lbs -Nail trim completed -Allow metronidazole to D/C per schedule -Continue GI diet -Continue psyllium husk PO SID x 7 days through -8/29 -Continue fortiflora PO SID x 14 days through 9/5 -Third Feeding Log and Canine Daily Monitoring Log extended to 8/31 -CTM closely on rounds, including potential CIRDC signs -Recheck and reweigh on 8/30; review meds, extend logs?, diagnostics?

8/25/2026

34.2 lbs

9/1/2026

Brief cageside progress exam S: BARH - at front of kennel soliciting attention no c/s/v/d reported, last BM fecal score 5/7 great appetite O: EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, corneas clear LUNG: Eupneic at distance MSK: Ambulatory x4 INT: Healthy haircoat at distance CNS: Appropriate mentation A/P: Continue TID feedings as planned Recheck in 1 week

9/10/2026

Recheck chronic diarrhea in care, has gained over 10 pounds since intake S/O: BAR, good appetite, no c/s/v noted, diarrhea FS 5-6 in kennel, FS 5 reported on log in recent days EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Unkempt haircoat, improved BCS; Hindlimbs - odd gait with hips/stifles rotated medially, bilateral muscle atrophy CNS: Appropriate mentation A: Chronic diarrhea in shelter - ro dysbiosis vs allergy vs other Underweight - improved Abnormal HL gait - ro secondary to emaciation/underweight vs congenital vs other P: Continue GI diet and TID feedings Consider HA diet trial with placement Start proviable PO SID indefinitely CTM while at QACC SURGERY: Okay for surgery

9/24/2026

Recheck, reports of persistent diarrhea, recent report of vomit; has gained >10 lbs since intake S/O: BAR, active at front, barking; note from 3 days ago of diarrhea FS 7 and vomit x 1; no c/s noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Amb x 4 CNS: Appropriate mentation A: Chronic diarrhea Vomiting (single episode) Underweight - improved P: Start tylosin 15-20 mg/kg PO SID x 14 days Continue proviable indefinitely New monitoring log placed If not improving on tylosin, recommend ARL. Likely needs additional diagnostics and treatments not available in shelter. CTM on rounds, recheck in 1 week

10/1/2026

DVM Progress Exam S/O: -BAR, active, good appetite. -Persistent diarrhea despite multiple treatment/diet trials. -Remains underweight, although significantly improved from intake. Weight increased from 30.4 lb on 8/8 to 41 lb on 9/23. -Completing 14-day course of Tylosin on 10/8. A: -Chronic persistent diarrhea. -Underweight; significant weight gain since intake but remains underweight. P: -Continue Tylosin through 10/8. -Continue GI diet and Proviable. -Continue monitoring stool quality, appetite and weight. -Add to ARL due to persistent chronic diarrhea despite treatment and ongoing underweight condition. -Recommend placement for additional GI diagnostics and treatment. -DVM recheck 10/8 at completion of Tylosin course to assess response and determine ongoing treatment/pathway.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, fearful allowed minimal handling. tolerant on leash.

Date of intake:: 8/7/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, no known history

Date of assessment:: 10/4/2026

Summary:: 10/04/26: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: none - loose leash Reactivity to humans: ignores Reactivity to dogs: ignores Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): intially backs away from collaring but then allows with heavy amount of spray cheese, explores room Call over: approaches readily Sociability comments: occasionally would check in with handlers with treats, body loosens Handling Soft handling: sits, tolerates, turns head to watch handler as they touch down his back Exuberant handling: sits, tolerates, turns head to watch handler as they touch down his back Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follows, distracted Arousal comments: Knock: no response Knock Comments: turns toward sound but then returns to licking traces of spray cheese Toy: no response Toy comments: 8/12/26: Due to Kangaroo Jack's fearfulness in the care center, a handling assessment could not be conducted at this time.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-dog history recorded. 08/12/26 Kangaroo Jack is introduced to a novel female while on a loose leash. He maintains an anxious frame and will look over at the female but does not fully approach.

Summary (7):: 10/4/26: Kangaroo Jack is laying down at the front of his kennel with his paws sticking out as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease, and he is then taken to the behavior room for his assessment. In the room, he has a tense body as he engages in licking cheese off the couch and would constantly back away as the handlers attempt to collar him. He has a tense body and would head whip while being petted. Please see behavior assessment notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 9/25/2026: Kangaroo Jack is at the front of his kennel and is leashed with no issue and is brought out to the play yard. Kangaroo Jack shows a lot of excitement when working with treats. Kangaroo Jack is taught how to sit and marked. Kangaroo Jack now starts to sit for his treat reward rather than jumping on the handler. Kangaroo Jack soon becomes aloof to the handler as he would rather stare at other dogs or run around the play yard playing with a toy unless a treat is presented to him. Kangaroo Jack is leashed and brought back to kennel with no issues. 9/20/26: Kangaroo Jack is at the front of his kennel and is leashed with no issue. He is leashed with no issue and is brought out to the play yard. He will then show interest in the treats that are in the pool and will slowly start to step into it. The handler will toss a treat into the pool which he'll jump into he pool after. He will jump out of the pool afterwards and get a treat from the handler's hand. After a while, he is returned to his kennel and is secured safely. 8/12/26 (Playgroup): Kangaroo Jack is at the front of his kennel and will flinch and back away as the handler goes to unlock the kennel door. They place some treats under the door and unlock the kennel and leash him while he is eating. Once on the ramp, Kangaroo Jack will drop treats from his mouth and eat them slowly. The handler will then encourage him with food to walk some more and he followed treats slowly. The handler then encourages him to jog and he will follow, galloping ahead of them to the yard. He will walk into the yard slowly and will greet another dog at the gate. (see dog to dog for more info) He is social with the handlers in the yard and allows collaring. When returning to kennel, he will growl at a handler who is about 10 ft away from him. He is returned with no further issue.

Date of intake:: 8/7/2026

Date of initial:: 8/8/2026

Summary:: Growled once, tense

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Kangaroo Jack so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4

Recommendations:: No children (under 13)

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Kangaroo Jack's behavior noted in his previous home, we recommend that he go to an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Kangaroo Jack's behavior noted in his previous home, we recommend he is placed with our New Hope Partners.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Kangaroo Jack gives clear warnings when he is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Kangaroo Jack, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Kangaroo Jack to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if he is not comfortable and is not soliciting attention. Kangaroo Jack would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. See handouts on Decompression Period and Fearful and Defensive Aggression.