Animal Profile
Big Boy
Hello, my name is Big Boy. My animal id is #221511. I am a male tan dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 8 years 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 2/28/2025.
Big Boy is being recommend for the at-risk list for medical reasons. Big Boy is a senior dog with heartworm disease. He also has a severe and chronic ear infection in his right ear that will likely need surgery (TECA) with placement. We are unable to treat and manage his conditions in shelter. Big Boy tolerated medical handling without reaction (including two blood draws and an ear cleaning).
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. Big Boy is being recommend for the at-risk list for medical reasons. Big Boy is a senior dog with heartworm disease. He also has a severe and chronic ear infection in his right ear that will likely need surgery (TECA) with placement. We are unable to treat and manage his conditions in shelter. Big Boy tolerated medical handling without reaction (including two blood draws and an ear cleaning). 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 love to be loved, but on my own terms! Let's brush up on some canine body language together! I would do best in a home with only adult humans.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 80 lbs
3/2/2025
DVM Intake Estimated age: 8-12 years Microchip noted on Intake? No History: Stray Subjective: BARH, no coughing/sneezing/vomiting/diarrhea Observed behavior: Approaches calmly and takes treats, whale eye/tucked tail/moves away when oral exam is attempted. Allows touch and petting to rest of body but will shrink away when head is approached. Easily distracted with treats for intake tasks. Evidence of cruelty seen: No Evidence of trauma seen: No Evidence of neglect seen: No Objective: P: WNL R: WNL BCS: 5/9 MCS: 2/3 OP: Mucous membranes pink and moist. Unable to visualize teeth due to patient temperament EENT: Eyes and nares clear bilaterally, no discharge noted. Ears appear clear, patient moves away when handling of pinnae is attempted 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 tesicles, no discharge INT: Rough hair coat, no areas of alopecia or pruritus, no ectoparasites noted. Marked decubital callus formation over pressure points, particularly hocks. 3-4 cm pedunculated mass ventral chest, mild scabbing/abrasions on surface. Not painful when handled. MS: Ambulatory x4. Mild dorsal muscle wasting, mild-moderate lordosis lumbar spine. Flinches downward when palpated at lumbar spine. NEURO: Mentation appropriate, cranial nerves intact, no deficits noted. Assessment: -Mild back pain (r/o OA) -Decubital calluses -Mass ventral chest Prognosis: Good Plan: -Start gabapentin 15 mg/kg PO q12h indefinitely -Recommend mass removal with placement Surgery: Permanent waiver due to age
3/2/2025
HWT inconclusive. Scheduled for repeat test.
3/3/2025
Vet assistants report that patient allowed handling of ears during blood draw for HWT, evidence of otitis noted. Heartworm test: positive Assessment: -Otitis externa -Heartworm positive -OA -Mass on ventral chest -Decubital calluses Plan: -Administered heartworm preventative -Start doxycycline 10 mg/kg PO q24h x 28d until 3/31 -Continue gabapentin 15 mg/kg PO q12h -Scheduled for sedated examination of ears
3/4/2025
Patient tested positive for heartworm on antigen test yesterday. Given heartworm preventative and started on doxycycline. Plan: Submitted blood to lab for microfilaria testing Adjusted doxycycline dosing to 10 mg/kg PO BID for duration of course *HW treatment plan (uploaded copy to vet docs, based on weight of 80lbs and start date of 3/3) -Next dose heargard due: 4/2 -Next dose heartgard due: 5/2 -First melarsomine inj (1 of 3) due: 5/2 -Start pred taper and continue activity restriction: 5/2 -Continue to follow plan (monthly HW preventative, two additional injections, etc)
3/5/2025
Check ears, microfilaria results S/O: QAR, timid and occasionally holds ears back, soft muzzle placed as precaution prior to examining ears. Does not react or escalate during handling. No c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge; ears - AD severe stenosis and hardening of canal, mucopurulent discharge and malodor; AS mild dark discharge with no stenosis. MSI: Areas of alopecia, callouses at joints/pressure points, mild thing BCS 4/9 Microfilaria - none seen 4DX - positive for d. immitis A: Heartworm disease Severe, chronic otitis AD Senior pet Mass ventral chest Mild back pain noted at intake - ro OA Callouses, alopecia P: Cleaned ears - unable to clean canal AD as severe stenosis prevents access, also unable to perform otoscopic exam or administer medication. Patient will likely require TECA AD with placement Continue with current treatment plan for heartworm disease Seek placement ASAP, unable to treat/manage conditions in shelter.
3/5/2025
Sedated ear exam, ask DVM for protocol Done /// Not sedated
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Date of intake:: 2/28/2025
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray( Unknown History)
Date of assessment:: 3/5/2025
Summary:: Big boy is currently unable to undergo a handling assessment due to his ongoing medical concerns. He was surrendered as a stray, so his past behavior in a home setting is unknown. In the Care Centers, Big Boy tolerated medical handling without reaction (including two blood draws and an ear cleaning). He appears to be friendly and tolerant of most handling but will flinch away at times when touched around his neck. His determination is reflected in the limited behavioral information we've gathered and observed. However, it’s unclear whether his behavior will remain consistent or if new behaviors may emerge once he is fully medically cleared. Positive reinforcement should be used when working with Big Boy.
Summary:: Due to Big Boy entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 03/11/25: When off leash at the Care Center Big Boy is introduced to a novel female dog. At the gate Big Boy approaches with a loose frame and flagging tail. Both dogs scent one another at the gate. Big boy displays a loose frame, flagging tail. Big Boy solicits attention. Teena displays a loose frame and wagging tail before walking away taking interest in the handlers. The novel female returns to Big Boy who remains present through out. When the novel female walks away again Big Boy begins demand barking and paces at the gate displaying sexual motivation. As the novel female returns on last time. They scent one another before the novel female walks away again, thus concluding the interaction.
Summary (7):: 03/11/25: Big Boy is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and pulls hard to the Live Room, where he is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Big Boy investigates the room, scenting for several minutes, shaking his head intermittently. He shows no interest in the puzzle feeder offered but will engage with a treat scatter. Big Boy approaches handler and accepts petting along his sides and rear end with a neutral frame. He notices a handler sitting in the office next door and will place his front paws up on the window to look through at them. After his session, Big Boy is leashed with ease and returned to kennel safely. 3/5/25: Big Boy was lying on kuranda bed when handler approached. He came to front of kennel with a neutral frame and was leashed with ease. Big Boy walked to the BA room where he was switched to a drag leash with stopper. Big Boy explored the room and engaged with a cheese lick mat. He was collared with ease while distracted with spray cheese. Big Boy did not show any sensitivity around his ears/neck when leashing or collaring. Big Boy was returned to kennel with ease.
Date of intake:: 2/28/2025
Date of initial:: 3/2/2025
Summary:: Approaches calmly and takes treats, whale eye/tucked tail/moves away when oral exam is attempted. Al
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3
Recommendations:: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to some handling sensitivity around his ear we recommend he is placed in a home with no children (under 13)
Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity
Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity- In the Care Centers, Big Boy tolerated medical handling without reaction (including two blood draws and an ear cleaning). He appears to be friendly and tolerant of most handling but will flinch away at times when touched around his neck. Begin with gentle, brief touches around his neck, immediately rewarding him with treats and praise for staying calm. Gradually increase the duration and intensity of the touches over time, always ensuring he remains comfortable. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity.