Animal Profile
Hughie
Hello, my name is Hughie. My animal id is #252454. I am a male white dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 3 years 1 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a stray on 4/19/2026.
Hughie is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Hughie displays high amount stress, including slamming himself into the kennel door, persistent licking of the kennel door, chewing on the metal frame of his bed, and reluctance to return to kennel. Hughie is social with staff, and loves going on walks but is struggling to acclimate in the care center. Medically, Hughie is apparently healthy.
Let's get to know each other a bit more...
This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Hughie is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Hughie displays high amount stress, including slamming himself into the kennel door, persistent licking of the kennel door, chewing on the metal frame of his bed, and reluctance to return to kennel. Hughie is social with staff, and loves going on walks but is struggling to acclimate in the care center. Medically, Hughie is apparently healthy. 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 would do best in a home with only adult humans. I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 72.8 lbs
4/19/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~1-3 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BARH, pink moist mm, NATA CRT dt behavior Formed stool in exam room Observed Behavior - Slow crouching tense posture with whale eye, started mounting handler / mouthing --> double leashed --> sedated for safety Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL (sedated) R = WNL (sedated) BCS 3.5/9 EENT: Moderate episcleral injection OU with no blepharospasm or discharge, moderate ceruminous debris AU with no erythema, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Minimal staining of cranial dentition - Limited oral exam due to behavior PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Male - intact, two symmetrical scrotal testicles MSI: Prior to sedation - Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed INT: Diffusely dirty haircoat, hyperkeratosis at lateral hocks, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen CNS: Prior to sedation - Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: Episcleral injection OU r/o stress hyperemia vs other Underweight r/o malnutrition vs other Moderate FAS with escalation Hyperkeratosis lateral hocks r/o 2ary to pressure sores vs other Otherwise apparently healthy MI young adult mixed breed Prognosis: Good Plan: SEDATED --> dexmedetomidine 0.8mL, butorphanol 0.8mL --> light sedation achieved OK for appropriate intake tasks Antisedan 0.8mL IM for reversal --> P observed until sternal Cleaned AU with trizEDTA ADD Trazodone 275mg (~8mg/kg) PO BID TFN TID feedings x7d SURGERY: Okay for surgery
5/9/2026
Canine has broken nails on rhl was affected area was cleaned and used quickstop for bleeding.
5/14/2026
Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: QAR, no C/S/V/D. Occasional open mouth breathing present Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, ppe sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck in 3 days
5/15/2026
DVM Progress Exam Subjective: P DX with CIRDC yesterday; staff reported P is quiet, less active today. QAR at time of examination, eating offered HVTs. Objective: WT: 70.4 lbs EYES: Clear HEART/LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress, HR: 110, RR: 32 NASAL CAVITY: Mild clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, broken nail at nail base of P4 of R HL - not actively bleeding NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: -Presumed CIRDC -Broken nail - resolved PLAN: -Clipped/removed broken nail -Gave 600 mg of Gabapentin PO once for broken nail associated pain -Continue CIRDC treatment and rechecks
5/22/2026
Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 per log Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge present MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days
5/26/2026
Progress exam: CIRDC day 10 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 per log, ate medications Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -Move out of iso, signage placed -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC
5/26/2026
Behavior staff requesting behavior modification medication due to persistent signs of FAS (kennel stress). P on trazodone ~8mg/kg PO BID. INCREASE Trazodone 300mg (~9mg/kg) PO BID TFN ADD Clonidine 0.75mg (~0.022mg/kg) PO BID TFN
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
Upon intake he was fearful and would back up when staff would attempt to place an ACC collar. Staff were able to scan for m/c but did not place ACC collar due to FAS.
Date of Intake: 4/19/2026
Date of intake:: 4/19/2026
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown
Date of assessment:: 5/1/2026
Summary:: 5/1/26 Leash Walking Strength and pulling: loosew Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: growl and lunge in the kennel, able to distract with treats, puts breaks when going back to kennel Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Explore room- neutral body, takes treats gently Call over: Comes when coaxes- wags tail, soft body Sociability comments: performs sit,lay down, paw for treats Handling Soft handling: Allowed- looks back,lip licks Exuberant handling: Allowed- leans into touch, softens body Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow-panting Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches- neutral body Knock Comments: Toy: 3rd pass grips toy walks away Toy comments: 4/22/26: Hughie displays fearful behavior and is avoidant of a handling due to this a behavioral assessment will not be condcuted at this time. 4/20/26: Hughie is standing in his kennel with a tense body as the handler approaches. He is noted to become avoidant due to this a behavioral assessment wil not be condcuted at this time.
Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 04/20/26 Hughie is introduced to a novel female while off leash. He is aloof with handlers when they attempt to collar him but will approach the gate with a slightly tense frame. Handler collars him quickly while Hughie is sniffing the female and Hughie begins to grumble. Handler disengages and Hughie remains at the gate and grumbles again before being guided away.
Date of intake:: 4/19/2026
Summary:: fearful and would back up when staff would attempt to place an ACC collar.
Date of initial:: 4/19/2026
Summary:: Slow crouching tense posture with whale eye, started mounting handler / mouthing --> double leashed
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4
Recommendations:: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Hughie be placed in an adult-only home due to his fearfulness.
Potential challenges: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Kennel presence,Low threshold for arousal
Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition/Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: During his medical exam, Hughie displayed a slow crouching posture, tense body, and whale eye, indicating fear and discomfort. He escalated to mounting and mouthing the handler, requiring double leashing for safety. In the care center, Hughie is noted to become avoidant of handling and displays clear fear and anxiety signals (FAS). These behaviors suggest a low threshold for arousal combined with fear-based responses when pressured. Handling should prioritize slow, low-pressure interactions, distance and choice, and reinforcing calm behavior to reduce escalation. Please see the handout on Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition/Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Kennel presence: noted to growl and lunge in kennel but is easily leashed whne given treats On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Hughie is noted to become dog reactive towards dogs on walks.Teach Hughie alternative behaviors, such as focusing on you or performing a "sit" cues when he sees a trigger. Consistent training and positive reinforcement will help reduce his reactivity over time. Please see the handout onOn-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.