Animal Profile
Draco
Hello, my name is Draco. My animal id is #229448. I am a male brown brindle dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 3 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a aco - impound on 6/13/2025.
Draco is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Draco is heartworm positive and has also been diagnosed with CIRDC. He is not consistently eating oral medications and thus we are unable to effectively treat his heartworm disease in shelter. Behaviorally, he is fearful, but has allowed all medical handling.
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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. Draco is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Draco is heartworm positive and has also been diagnosed with CIRDC. He is not consistently eating oral medications and thus we are unable to effectively treat his heartworm disease in shelter. Behaviorally, he is fearful, but has allowed all medical handling. 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 will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 66 lbs
6/14/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 1-3 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: agency Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - timid, shaking, allowed for handling and tasks Is there evidence of Cruelty? N Is there evidence of Neglect? N Is there evidence of Trauma? N Objective T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 5.5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: visible dentition clean/adult PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, two scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Heart worm positive on lateral flow testing Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks traz 8mg/kg PO BID (250mg) scheduled for microfilaria/elisa ag testing tomorrow after receiving beh meds awaiting sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery: Y
6/15/2025
Obtain blood for microfiliaria and ELISA testing (Heartworm Antigen by ELISA) Blood collected for a 271 test.
6/16/2025
BT noted a possible neurologic episode during assessment today: "His arms slowly splayed out until his body met the floor and his head started bobbing side to side and eyes started rolling around in his head. This lasted 15-20 seconds." Has a history of being "thrown out of a car" however we do not know if the car was in motion and if any trauma was induced. P is QAR, very fearful but comes out of kennel and walks towards the treatment room with no notable ataxia. EENT: no ocular or nasal discharge H/L: eupneic MSI: Ambulatory x4, no obvious weakness Neuro: Limited due to patient's FAS; normal menace reflex. Normal PLRs and symmetric pupils. No noticeable nystagmus. No ataxia noted. Neurologically appropriate. A. Possible neurologic episode - possible seizure vs related to fear vs other Hx of possible trauma P. Cannot rule out seizures, however one seizure is not an indication to start anti-seizure medication. At time of exam, patient was neurologically appropriate Placed Seizure watch sign - if any episodes are noted, record episode and alert medical. Recheck in 5 days
6/17/2025
Heartworm antigen positive Microfilaria present - 6-20/LPF Plan - Moxy-doxy protocol: -Start doxycycline 10 mg/kg PO BID x 30 days -Give NexGard PLUS PO today -Contnue NexGard PLUS monthly -Recheck antigen and microfilaria test monthly
6/17/2025
Not taking oral meds - offered NG PLUS by itself, with potted meat, sausages, crushed and mixed into potted meat. Traz in meatballs is also uneaten. High FAS - suspect affecting interest in HV treats. Plan: Monitor closely to see if eating oral meds, may need to give time to decompress in shelter before he will eat meds.
6/21/2025
No further episodes of neurological deficits or abnormalities; continue to monitor on rounds - direct care staff to notify medical immediately if occurs again, ideally can take video footage so we can observe behavior.
6/21/2025
Ate medications today - including Nexguard Plus, doxycyline and trazodone. *CTM daily if taking medications, notify DVM if not eating them
6/29/2025
Noted to be coughing, brought into medical for exam S/O QAR, C++ with phlegm, no v/d/s appreciated EENT: mild epiphora, moderate active serous nasal dc and nose licking HL: eupneic, C+ MSI: amb x 4 A. CIRDC HW POS - not taking meds P. Move to iso signage hung start enro 3mL SQ SID x 10 days start proviable 1 capsule PO SID x 10 days rechecks in 3 7 10 days seek placement or foster- p needs space to decompress so that they will start taking oral meds needed for HW dz tx.
7/2/2025
Recheck CIRDC day 3, started on injectable enrofloxacin due to history of not eating medications. S/O: QAR on kuranda bed, appetite okay - some kibble eaten, small pile of vomit (partially digested kibble), no diarrhea Coughing reported on log, not observed during interaction, no sneezing EENT: No active nasal or ocular discharge LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation A: CIRDC Heartworm disease P: Continue enrofloxacin SQ for CIRDC Discontinue trazodone and proviable as not taking oral meds consistently and want to prioritize doxycycline ingestion for heartworm disease Seek placement asap for appropriate heartworm treatment. Patient not getting appropriate dosing of doxycycline since he is not consistently eating it. CTM closely on rounds and recheck as scheduled
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Date of intake:: 6/13/2025
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown
Date of assessment:: 6/21/2025
Summary:: 6/21/25 Leash Walking Strength and pulling: loose Reactivity to humans: N/A Reactivity to dogs: N/A Leash walking comments: fearful when passing dogs barking in kennel Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Aloof- stiff, whale eyes, tucked tail Call over: Aloof- sniffed around room, approached the assessor did allow light petting Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Allowed- reset to handling positon, distracted, allowed touch Exuberant handling: Allowed- distracted, tucked tail, allowed touch Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Did not conduct due to medical Arousal comments: Knock: No response Knock Comments: Toy: No response Toy comments: 6/16: Draco remains fearful and avoidant of interaction. He does not accept treats (ham, churus, chicken) and attempts to put as much distance between himself and handlers as possible. Draco is tense with a hunched body with his tail low, eyes wide, while he remains hyper-vigilant. Due to his fearfulness and shutdown behaviors, a handling assessment could not be conducted. 6/15: Upon entering the behavior office, Draco is tense and keeps his body low to the ground with a semi-tucked tail as he paces the room, seeking an exit. He does not accept high-value treats from handlers (chicken) and avoids interaction. Due to his fearfulness, he is returned to his kennel to allow more time to decompress. 6/14: Assessment not attempted due to receiving a medical exam same day to avoid trigger stacking.
Summary (7):: 6/16/25: Draco was lying on the floor in the middle of his kennel as handler approached. He appeared shut down and did not get up or take treats. He remained still as handler placed leash loop over head. Once leashed, he walked to the BA room for his assessment. Draco walked with a stiff gait and a tense neck. He stood with a hunched posture and looked as though he was pulling his neck in. Draco appeared uneasy throughout interaction and would whale-eye or stare at handlers. When handler 2 reached for a pack of ham on the desk, Draco began lowering to the floor with his front paws outstretched, and his head appearing unsteady. Due to Draco's discomfort his assessment was postponed and he was returned to kennel without issue. 06/16/25 (playgroup): Draco is lying on his kuranda bed with a tense, trembling frame as handler approaches. Handler cracks open the kennel door and kneels down, speaking to him with a soft tone. Draco slowly crawls to the front of kennel and allows handler to lightly pet his head and neck and clip his collar. He walks with a low, tense frame out to the yard for playgroup (see Dog-to-Dog Summary for further details). Draco will circle handler and walk behind them on the way to and from the yard. After his session, he is returned to kennel safely. 06/15/25: Draco is lying on his kuranda bed with a tense, trembling frame as handler approaches. Handler kneels down in front of kennel and speaks to Draco with a soft tone, tossing treats to him but he shows no interest. Handler slowly drops their lead over his head and moves away from the door to give plenty of room to exit. Draco walks with a low, tense frame to the Canine Behavior Office where he is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. He spends his time scenting and shows no interest in treats offered to him. Draco perks up slightly when handler squeaks a toy and will deep sniff it once it is thrown to him. After his session, he walks with a tense frame back to kennel, returning safely. 06/15/25: Draco is lying down on his kuranda bed at the back of his kennel and will need to be lassoed from the rear. Once leashed, he slowly makes his way to the front and exits the kennel. As he walks, Draco crouches low to the ground, displaying fearful body language, tail tucked, ears pinned back, and a tense frame. Upon entering the yard, Draco shuts down entirely, immediately crouching and lying flat on the ground. He does not engage with his playmate and does not offer a nose-to-nose greeting, remaining withdrawn and fearful throughout the interaction. Draco is then brought back to his kennel safely without any further issues.
Date of intake:: 6/13/2025
Date of initial:: 6/14/2025
Summary:: shaking, allowed for handling and tasks
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4
Recommendations:: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Draco's fearfulness, we recommend she be placed in an adult-only home at this time.
Potential challenges: : Fearful
Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: Draco has been highly fearful during his stay in care. It is important to always go slow and give Draco the option to walk away from any social interaction. He should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Draco’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Draco would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period.