Animal Profile
Turtle
Hello, my name is Turtle. My animal id is #234466. I am a male tan dog at the . The shelter thinks I am about 11 years 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a stray on 8/16/2025.
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Turtle is at risk for medical reasons - Turtle is a geriatric dog that has lost weight and had a poor appetite in care. He has also been reportedly lethargic. Diagnostics in shelter did not reveal obvious underlying disease, but abnormalities should be followed up with placement. Alternatively, palliative/hospice care would be appropriate as well.
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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Recommend placing at risk for medical reasons - Turtle is a geriatric dog that has lost weight and had a poor appetite in care. He has also been reportedly lethargic. Diagnostics in shelter did not reveal obvious underlying disease, but abnormalities should be followed up with placement. Alternatively, palliative/hospice care would be appropriate as well. 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 am a sweet, social, older gentleman, looking for the perfect forever home! I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 51 lbs
8/17/2025
DVM Intake Estimated age: 8-12 years Microchip noted on Intake? No History: Stray Subjective: BARH, no coughing/sneezing/vomiting/diarrhea Observed behavior: Low wagging tail, leans into petting, comes forward readily. Takes treats/sniffs and picks up, but does not eat. Allowed all handling. Evidence of cruelty seen: No Evidence of trauma seen: No Evidence of neglect seen: No Objective: P: WNL R: WNL BCS: 4/9 OP: Mucous membranes pink and moist. Stage II dental disease visible on brief exam, patient moves head away when mouth is handled EENT: Eyes and nares clear bilaterally, no discharge noted. PLN: Small/soft/symmetrical/nonpainful CV: No murmurs or arrhythmias, pulses strong and synchronous. RESP: Eupneic, no crackles/wheezes GI: Soft, nonpainful, no palpable masses. UG: male intact, two descended testicles, no discharge INT: Good hair coat, no areas of alopecia or pruritus, no ectoparasites or masses noted. MS: Ambulatory x4, lumbar kyphosis with moderate epaxial muscle wasting. Mild flinching when lumbar spine is palpated NEURO: Mentation appropriate, cranial nerves intact, no deficits noted. Assessment: Stage II dental disease Lumbar kyphosis (suspect OA) Prognosis: Good Plan: -Start gabapentin 10 mg/kg PO q12h indefinitely -Recommend professional dental cleaning with placement Surgery: Permanent waiver due to age
8/17/2025
[Spay/Neuter Waiver - Age] It is the policy of ACC not to perform surgery on any animal over the age of 8-10 years due to the higher risks incurred in a shelter setting. The veterinarian is hereby issuing a permanent spay/neuter waiver, from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY due to the estimated age of this animal. ACC does recommend you consult with your veterinarian to determine if surgical sterilization is appropriate.
8/31/2025
Issue List: - noted on rounds board to be lethargic and anorexic - weight loss (now 51 lbs intake weight 56) - appears older than initially assessed ~12 years QAR H-DH EENT: no nasal or ocular discharge noted; warn teeth; missing incisor H/L: eupneic PLN: WNL ABD: relaxed; no obvious FB U/G: MI MSI: Ambulatory x 4, underweight 3/6 BCS CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) - weight loss - anorexia r/o metabolic vs GI vs neoplasia vs other P) CBC/CHEM/T4 Results: Chem- nsf CBC- elevated mature leukocytosis- 19 K (normal high 16.7 K) R/O immune response vs stress vs other UA (cysto)- pending Chest/Abdominal Rads: Right side of cranial chest- area of consolidation r/o focal pneumonia vs infiltrative disease vs bulla-like presence vs other Bridging spondylosis L1-L3 SQ fluids- 700 ml LRS Recommend placement on the ARL
9/2/2025
Recheck, UA results S/O: QAR, no c/s/v/d noted, anorexia not reported today, no food in kennel, no ocular or nasal discharge, eupneic, quiet mentation UA (cysto): USG 1.034, protein 2+, blood/hemoglobin 1+, bilirubin 1+, WBCs 50-75, RBCs 6-10 A: Geriatric canine Poor appetite, weight loss Quiet mentation, lethargy Proteinuria - ro artifact vs true Pyuria P: Start medical feedings BID and monitor closely on rounds Seek placement outside shelter
9/4/2025
recheck, geriatric, lethargic, poor appetite S/O P QAR/sleeping during exam, lifted head only briefly, med tray and food tray untouched, some of the medical feed appears to be eaten EENT: no ocular or nasal dc appreciated HL: eupneic A. Geriatric Poor appetite- hyporexia P. Continue med feeds- p appears to eat some HVTs Seek placement CTM closely on rounds, recheck in 2 days if still here
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Date of intake:: 8/16/2025
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; unknown history
Date of assessment:: 8/18/2025
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: none - loose leash Reactivity to humans: inconclusive - did not pass Reactivity to dogs: inconclusive - did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): explore the room, check in with handlers occasionally Call over: approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: soft body Handling Soft handling: stands still, accept touch Exuberant handling: stands still, accept touch Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follows, slow trots Arousal comments: only 1 pass conducted due to medical concerns Knock: no response Knock Comments: Toy: grips, relinquish on 1st pass, ignores toy afterward Toy comments:
Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 08/18/25 Turtle is introduced at the gate to a novel female dog while off leash at the care center. Turtle is aloof, ignoring the female dog while she remains at the gate loose bodied. As she attempts to solicit Turtles attention, he walks away from the gate displaying hackles, displace sniffing as he increases his distance. This concludes the interaction.
Summary (7):: 8/30/25: Turtle is at the back of his kennel standing on the back, staring into a corner. Turtle is called over and approached slowly, and remains neutral bodied allowing the handler to leash him. Turtle walks out of his kennel very slow, and for the entirety of his walk. Turtle seems lethargic, having trouble getting up steps having the handler to carry his hind end, and refuses to walk in some spots. Turtle was taken back to his kennel, and walks inside, eating very little of his food and then laying down. 8/23/24: Turtle is observed to be vocalizing in kennel towards the ceiling and howling. Turtle is easily leashed and taken for a short walk. Turtle is very loose/wiggly, and leans into contact. Turtle begins to pant heavily due to the heat and is taken back inside after a brief walk. Turtle is given extra bedding, and palced inside of his kennel. 08/18/25 (playgroup): Turtle is lying on his kuranda bed, staring at the wall as the handler approaches. He comes forward as the handler unlocks the door and is leashed with ease. He walks at a leisurely pace up to the yard for playgroup (see Dog-to-Dog Summary for further details). Turtle spends his time exploring the environment and will accept petting with a neutral frame. After his session, he is returned to the kennel, halting momentarily in front of the kennel door, but is easily lured with tossed treats. 8/17: After a handler is finished helping and ACS, they turn and see another ACS attempting to return Turtle to his kennel. He stops in front of his kennel and doesn't move despite the ACS offering him treats and coaxing. The handler provides chicken and sliced cheese to lure him into the kennel, and Turtle does take a few steps, but the handler has to use gentle directional pressure to walk him into his kennel. Turtle attempts to back out but stops when he sees the door slowly closing.
Date of initial:: 8/17/2025
Summary:: Low wagging tail, leans into petting, comes forward readily. Takes treats/sniffs and picks up, but d
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 1