Animal Profile

Paloma is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Paloma arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Upon arrival Paloma was noted to be receptive to treats, allowed easy leashing and was brought to kennel without issue. However, Paloma has shown concerning handling sensitivity and potential for defensive aggression. During her medical exams, Paloma was noted be initially neutral bodied, but became tense, whale eyed, tense, and at times snapped toward staff. Paloma is noted to recover to neutral body when staff stepped back after showing defensive behavior. Additionally, Paloma was observed to be fearful and defensive during her recent handling assessment; noted to head whip, turn toward staff member's face with an open mouth when attempting to touch her collar. Paloma is noted to be be somewhat aloof with staff but is easily leashed for walks. Medically Paloma is being treated for CIRDC and Otitis Externa, and a wound on her ear.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Paloma is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Paloma arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Upon arrival Paloma was noted to be receptive to treats, allowed easy leashing and was brought to kennel without issue. However, Paloma has shown concerning handling sensitivity and potential for defensive aggression. During her medical exams, Paloma was noted be initially neutral bodied, but became tense, whale eyed, tense, and at times snapped toward staff. Paloma is noted to recover to neutral body when staff stepped back after showing defensive behavior. Additionally, Paloma was observed to be fearful and defensive during her recent handling assessment; noted to head whip, turn toward staff member's face with an open mouth when attempting to touch her collar. Paloma is noted to be be somewhat aloof with staff but is easily leashed for walks. Medically Paloma is being treated for CIRDC and Otitis Externa, and a wound on her ear. Paloma arrived at the care centers with no known history, since arriving she has not acclimated well. She has displayed fearful behavior which has teetered into aggressive behaviors such as growling and snapping. She has also been reported to ssnap when being handled around the head/neck area. Aside from this Paloma has been noted to allow leashing and walks well on leash. We recommend an experienced, adult-only home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 49.6 lbs

Medical Notes

8/30/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3-5 years old Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Acquired by agency Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - neutral body, periodic tail wagging, whale eyes, allows handling for exam, no interest in treats. Muzzled as a precaution, tense for tasks, bared teeth at conclusion of HWT so opted not to clean ears/apply medication. Did not escalate further. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = 120 bpm R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears have brown waxy debris AU, 2-3cm round wound at base of ear AD, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild tartar incisors (limited due to muzzle) PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact female, no OHE scar or tattoo noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Otitis externa AU Wound at base of ear AD Intact female Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment Gave Nexgard Rx: Trazodone 175mg PO BID indefinitely Rx: Apoquel 5.4mg tab, 2 tab PO BID x14d, then SID x7d SURGERY: Okay for surgery, recommend ear cleaning + medication application at time of sx

8/31/2025

Noted by animal care staff to be scratching at wound AD. E-collar was placed. Note: When staff first attempted to place an e-collar on her, Paloma tensed, whale-eyed, growled, and snapped when collar went over her head. VS staff member reset and asked for assistance; when they stepped back Paloma resumed a neutral body and would wag her tail to baby talk. A second handler took the leash from ACS, muzzled Paloma, and restrained her with light restraint. Type of e-collar was switched - from one that went over the head to one that wrapped around the neck - and Paloma was still tense but allowed for placement of e-collar and did not escalate further. Once muzzle was removed she maintained a neutral body and went into her kennel with ease.

9/13/2025

SO: BAR, standing at front of kennel with e-collar on eent: eyes clear, yellow nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, coughing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: CIRDC P: 250mg doxycycline PO SID x10d

9/23/2025

Recheck CIRDC History: CIRDC, Day 10 of doxycycline today Appetite score 2, reported sneezing today BAR, comes to front of kennel Normal RR and RE No ocular discharge Mild mucoid nasal discharge bilaterally Plan: Extend doxycycline 250mg PO SID x4d Continue to monitor CIRDC, recheck in ~4 days

9/27/2025

SO: Last day of 14 day course of treatment for CIRDC BAR, sitting at kennel door, removed e-collar 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: CIRDC apparently resolved P: monitor for recurrence of clinical signs wound apparently resolved

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 8/30/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (No Known History)

Other Notes:: *Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 9/22/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Sniffs around the room, receptive to treats, allowed collar to be placed Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Begins head whipping back and forth, and spins to face the handler with open mouth when handler reached to grab collar. Handler had to straight arm her away. Handler resents and Paloma tolerates contact afterwards. Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Grips toy firm and moves away with neutral body and soft tail

Summary:: 9/5/25: Paloma greets another dog at the gate with a neutral body and soft tail wag. She becomes softer and her tail wags faster the longer she greets the other dog.

Summary (6):: 9/22/25- Paloma is at the front of her kennel with a soft body, she is easily leashed and taken for a street walk. She sees another dog and just stares with a neutral body, handler presents a treat in front of her face and she follows them. She has a moderate to hard pull at times down the street, only occasionally stopping to sniff. She had no reaction to people passing her and was aloof with handler unless when treats are presented. She was taken for her assessment where she is easily collared and explores the room. She is easily releashed and returned to her kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 09/17/25: Paloma is laying down as handler approaches, stands and approaches kennel door as handler begins to unlock kennel door. Paloma is easily leashed over her medical cone, walks out of kennel with light intermittent pulling. Paloma walks on sidewalk with neutral body and light pulling, is generally aloof with handler, does not respond to verbal cues and has no interest in treats. Paloma allows petting with soft body and wagging tail. Paloma walks back to MACC with neutral body and re-enters kennel safely. 09/10/25: Paloma is sleeping quietly in kennel as handler approaches, when unlocking kennel door Paloma approaches front with neutral soft body. Paloma is leashed over her medical cone, walks out with minimal pulling. Paloma walks out to street with minimal pulling, checks in visually for verbal cues but does not take treats. Paloma stops firmly or pulls occasionally toward areas of interest to sniff/investigate. Paloma walks maintains neutral soft body on walk, allows light petting on her back/torso area with soft body. Paloma re-enters kennel without issue. 8/31/2025: Paloma was brought to medical due to her irritating the wound on her right ear. VS staff member approached while animal care staff held the leash, and when first approached Paloma had a soft body, low wagging tail, and approached the staff member when called. She was offered cheese but was not interested. When staff first attempted to place an e-collar on her, Paloma tensed, whale-eyed, growled, and snapped when collar went over her head. VS staff member reset and asked for assistance; when they stepped back Paloma resumed a neutral body and would wag her tail to baby talk. A second handler took the leash from ACS, muzzled Paloma, and restrained her with light restraint. Type of e-collar was switched - from one that went over the head to one that wrapped around the neck - and Paloma was still tense but allowed for placement of e-collar and did not escalate further. Once muzzle was removed she maintained a neutral body and went into her kennel with ease

Date of intake:: 8/30/2025

Summary:: Accepts treats, allows leashing and petting

Date of initial:: 8/30/2025

Summary:: Neutral body, periodical tail wag, tense whale eye, does not take treats, growls

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

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4

Recommendations:: No children (under 13)

Recommendations comments:: No Children: Due to Paloma's handling sensitivity and need for contact on her own terms, we recommend placement in a home without children.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/Touch Sensitivity: During medical examination, Paloma was reported to become tense and growl as well as snap at handlers when attempting to place an E-collar on her. It is important to always go slow and give Paloma the option to walk away from any social interaction. Paloma should never be forced to approach anything that she is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Paloma’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Dog may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful/Potential for Defensive Aggression: Since arriving at the care centers, Paloma has displayed fearful defensive behavior, she becomes tense during handling and whale eyes and has escalated to growling/snapping on occasion. It is important to move slowly with Paloma, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Paloma to initiate interactions with new people. She should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.