Animal Profile
Venus
Hello, my name is Venus. My animal id is #249189. I am a female brown brindle dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 11 years 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 3/7/2026.
Venus is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Venus is a sweet geriatric dog with comorbidities that are not able to managed in a shelter setting. Geriatric or palliative care is an option with placement, or alternatively, additional diagnostics and treatments can be pursued. Ideally, Venus would have a cardiology consultation with echo.
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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. Venus is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Venus is a sweet geriatric dog with comorbidities that are not able to managed in a shelter setting. Geriatric or palliative care is an option with placement, or alternatively, additional diagnostics and treatments can be pursued. Ideally, Venus would have a cardiology consultation with echo. 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 have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. I am a sweet, social, older gal, looking for the perfect forever home! I would do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 43.8 lbs
3/8/2026
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.
3/8/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 11 years Microchip noted on Intake? Positive History: Agency (here in 2020) QAR, anxious, restless, disoriented, panting MM pink, moist, CRT <2 sec Observed Behavior - Blue; Able to examine, nervous, body tense Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? - No Objective: P = 115 hr R = panting BCS 4/9 Wt = 43.8 lbs EENT: Mild amount of light brown ceruminous debris noted AU; Bilateral lenticular sclerosis Oral Exam: Severe generalized dental disease (Grade 4/4) PLN: Bilateral submandibular lymphadenopathy, approximately 3x normal size H/L: Grade 3-4/6 left-sided and parasternal holosystolic murmur, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Pot-bellied appearance, suspect cranial abdominal distension/hepatomegaly U/G: FI MSI: Lumbar muscle atrophy, overgrown nails CNS: Mentation appropriate - anxious, restless, disoriented consistent with suspect canine cognitive dysfunction Assessment: -Heart murmur (Grade 3-4/6): r/o degenerative valve disease, other cardiac pathology -Severe dental disease (Grade 4/4) with secondary submandibular lymphadenopathy vs other -Pot-bellied appearance/abdominal distension: r/o hepatomegaly, Cushing's disease, other -Suspect canine cognitive dysfunction -Lumbar muscle atrophy Prognosis: Fair Plan: Standard Intake Procedures for Dogs Performed Ear cleaning Nail trim Bloodwork: Adult wellness panel (CBC/Chem/SDMA/T4) - pending, send out Cardiopet proBNP - pending, send out Gabapentin 300 mg PO BID indefinitely; gave first AM dose SURGERY: Permanent waiver d/t age and heart murmur
3/11/2026
Recheck and bloodwork results S/O: BAR, wiggly and wagging tail at front of kennel, no c/s/v/d noted, no ocular or nasal discharge, nuclear opacities OU, eupneic, dorsal muscle wasting notable, appropriate mentation. CBC: WBC 19.3 (H), neutrophils 14.977 (H), monocytes 1.293 (H) CHEM: Chloride 106 (L) T4: wnl Cardiopet proBNP: 1450 (H) A: Geriatric with comorbidities Elevated proBNP + heart murmur - consistent with cardiomyopathy Neutrophilia, leukocytosis - ro inflammation vs infection vs neoplasia P: Seek placement for geriatric/palliative care vs additional veterinary diagnostics/treatments (cardiology consult with echo, dental procedure, etc) CTM closely while at QACC
3/15/2026
recheck geriatric, HM pup S/O - brought into medical BAR, A+A, running around, playful, food motivated EENT: no ocular or nasal dc, mm pm <2 PLN: mildly enlarged submandibular LN HL: 4/6 holosystolic HM, clear bilat, eupneic MSI: amb x 4, mild muscle wasting over the lumbar region Neuro: appropriate mentation A. HM Peripheral lymphadenopathy hx of possible canine cognitive dysfunction noted on intake, no appreciated today P. No change in treatment plan Seek placement- p wouold benefit from rapid shelter exit as geriatric with multiple comorbities Brief recheck in 5 days CTM while at QACC
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Date of intake:: 3/7/2026
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)
Other Notes:: 9/5/2019: Venus was a stray on her first stay, she came into the care center with 5 another dogs.
Date of assessment:: 3/10/2026
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: Ignores Reactivity to dogs: Ignores Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Social- seeks attention, allows petting Call over: Readily approaches- heavy open mouth panting, flushed faced, paces around room , allows touch Sociability comments: jumps up often & takes treats with hard pressure, has to toss treats Handling Soft handling: Allowed- open mouth panting, stay in handling position Exuberant handling: Allowed- open mouth panting, stays in handling position Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- sniffs floor, distracted Arousal comments: Knock: Distracted Knock Comments: Toy: Grips walks away Toy comments: ***9/8/2019: Prior behavioral assessment upon request***
Summary:: Due to Venus entering the facility as a stray, there is no known history of interactions with other dogs prior to intake. 03/16/26 Due to Venus's multiple medical concerns, a dog-dog will not be completed at this time. 03/12/26: Due to medical concerns, Venus was unable to attend playgroup today. Participation may be reconsidered at later date. Venus was surrendered along with several other large male and female dogs. Limited information was provided so her past behavior around other dogs is unknown. 9/6: When off leash at the Care Center, Venus was introduced to a novel male dog. She greets him at the gate with a tense posture and stiff erect tail. Her leash is held due to the greeter's lack of experience. Once the gate is opened, Venus walks away from the male and does not approach him for the entire session. 9/10: Venus greeted a novel male today. She is assertive as she greets him with a stiff heightened posture. She places her chin on is back and circles the male and quickly muzzle punches him.
Summary (7):: 3/10/26 (assessment): Venus is at the front of her kennel as the handler approaches. She is given a treat through the leash loop but will take it out of the handler's hand quickly and take a step back. The handler will then leash her as she eats the treat. Venus comes out of her crate quickly and is brought to the behavior office where she is fitted with a collar. (see assessment for more information) After the assessment, she is brought back to her crate with the toy she was chewing on after the assessment.
Date of intake:: 3/7/2026
Date of initial:: 3/8/2026
Summary:: nervous, body tense
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 2
Recommendations:: No young children (under 5)
Recommendations comments:: No young children (under 5): We reccomend Venus be placed in a home with No young children (under 5).
Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Anxiety
Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manners / Poor Impulse Control:Venus frequently jumps up on handlers, indicating elevated excitement and limited impulse control during interactions. Training should focus on reinforcing calm alternative behaviors such as sitting for attention. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Mouthiness / Poor Bite Inhibition:Venus takes treats with hard pressure, suggesting underdeveloped bite inhibition. Treat-taking practice with slow delivery, paired with reinforcing gentle, controlled interactions, can help encourage softer mouth use. Please see the handout on Mouthiness / Poor Bite Inhibition. Anxiety:During her behavioral assessment, Venus paced around the room and displayed a flushed face with heavy, open-mouth panting, indicating heightened anxiety and difficulty settling. Training should emphasize predictable routines, calming enrichment, and rewarding relaxed behavior. Please see the handout on generalized anxiety.