Animal Profile
Niko
Hello, my name is Niko. My animal id is #234456. I am a male white dog at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 8 years 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 8/16/2025.
Niko has been placed on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He has difficulty defecating because he has muscle weakness in his rectal tissue (perineal hernia). He needs care, attention and, potentially, surgery that we cannot provide.
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. Niko has been placed on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He has difficulty defecating because he has muscle weakness in his rectal tissue (perineal hernia). He needs care, attention and, potentially, surgery that we cannot provide. 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. 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. I'm ready to learn! I need a patient person who has the time to work on training with me.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 51 lbs
8/16/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 7 to 9 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Brought in by agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Wiggly for exam. Persistently tries to remove muzzle and restraint for tasks. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 120 R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Moderate tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact. Pendulous scrotum. MSI: Calluses on elbows. Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Assessment Dental disease stage 1/4 Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks chem/cbc/hwt if possible without sedation SURGERY: Permanent waiver due to age
8/17/2025
[Spay/Neuter Waiver - Age] 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.
8/18/2025
Drew blood for in house chem/cbc. Administered microchip
8/18/2025
CBC/CHM/TT4 nsf
8/18/2025
Baulking on leash/high FAS on leash noted by K9 behavior P: Trazodone 225mg PO BID indefinitely
8/19/2025
Staff note dyschezia. No blood in stool. RESP: Eupneic Rectum: Prominent anus r/o constipation due to BPH pet wouldn't tolerate rectal exam P: Lactulsoe 15g/10ml 6 mls po bid indefinitely
8/22/2025
Noted to be vocalizing when defecating 8/20, but none noted in the yesterday. A: Constipation from suspect BPH P: Continue with lactulose Recheck in 2 days Consider abdominal radiographs + neuter if discomfort is persistent
8/24/2025
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8/24/2025
Issue List: - vomited a ball of human hair - has had history of dyschezia - not eating this morning QAR; sleeping in kennel EENT: no nasal or ocular discharge noted; nothing under tongue H/L: eupneic PLN: WNL ABD: relaxed U/G: MI MSI: Ambulatory x 4, normal hair coat CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) h/o FB h/o constipation perineal hernia prognosis guarded P) Dog sedation: Using 0.8 ml dexmedetomidine at 500mcg/m2 (500mcg/ml) and 0.8 ml butorphanol at 0.4 mg/kg (10mg/ml) IM Reversed with Antisedan-0.8 ml IM Abdominal Radiographs not much ingesta in stomach or intestines; no obvious FB Rectal exam under sedation - good anal tone but rectal wall has some "outpouching"; right sided perineal hernia SQ fluids- 1L LRS consider surgical intervention vs stool softeners for life Consider ARL
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
Date of intake:: 8/16/2025
Spay/Neuter status:: No
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history
Date of assessment:: 8/18/2025
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate - pulls towards places to sniff Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive Leash walking comments: Baulks in the hallway Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Highly social Call over: Approaches handler readly Sociability comments: Shied away from collar initially, Stays near handlers, solicits attention, jumps up Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Neutral body, jumps up on handler Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler exuberantly Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Grips light, relinquishes, soft body and wagging tail
Summary (7):: 8/18/25- Niko is laying down at the back of his kennel chewing on a chewie with a soft body. Handler tosses in a treat and he gets up to eat it. He easily leashed and taken for a street walk. He walks on a loose leash and has a moderate pull to spots to sniff. He is social with handler and had no reaction to any stimuli. He gently takes treats that are offered by hand, he follows the command to sit and is rewarded. When walking to the office Niko plants in the hallway, handler tries to coax with treats. He takes some then stops he baulks with ears pinned and lowers his body. He has a slight pull towards staff sitting at desk with a loose and wiggly body wanting to greet. Handler picks him up which he allows. He is taken for his assessment where a treat lure was used to collar since he would back away. He is social with handlers, jumping up on them with his front paws. He explores the room sniffing around and jumping up on furniture. He is easily releashed. When returning to his room Niko baulks hard and handler tries treats but Niko keeps retreating. Handler attempts to pick him up but he is very wiggly and handler isn't able to lift him. Another handler comes and slings him, handlers have to apply pressure to bring him back. He goes into kennel without further issue.
Date of intake:: 8/16/2025
Summary:: Loose wiggly body, seeking attention
Date of initial:: 8/16/2025
Summary:: Wiggly for exam. Persistently attempts to remove muzzle
ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Niko so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3
Recommendations:: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments:: No young children (under 5): Due to poor impulse control and fearful behavior we recommend a home with no children.
Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful
Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manners: Niko has been observed to jump up on handlers in a social manner. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners. Fearful: Niko has been observed to baulk in the hallway while on leash this behavior is not able to be redirected, and a sling was required. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Niko would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period.