Animal Profile

Sugar Kane has been placed on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He has heartworm disease with active generation of microfilaria. He needs care and treatment that we cannot provide. Behaviorally, Sugar Kane has allowed all handling for medical work, exubertant with staff, and highly food motivated.

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. Sugar Kane has been placed on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He has heartworm disease with active generation of microfilaria. He needs care and treatment that we cannot provide. Behaviorally, Sugar Kane has allowed all handling for medical work, exubertant with staff, and highly food motivated. Meet Sugar Kane! Sugar Kane came to us as an owner surrender - his person simply didn't have enough time for a dog his size and energy. He arrived enthusiastic, food-motivated, and completely ready to love whoever would take him in. The shelter environment has been a lot for this big guy; he can get overwhelmed by the noise and chaos. But get him outside one-on-one, and you'll meet the cuddle bug his previous family knew - affectionate, engaged, and genuinely happy in your company. My Ideal Home Sugar Kane needs someone who has the time he deserves. A home with prior large-dog experience is strongly recommended - he is a 100-pound dog with a lot of enthusiasm, and he'll need structure, patience, and calm guidance to thrive. He does best with slow introductions to new people and environments, so a quieter household where he can decompress and adjust at his own pace will set him up for success. He came from a home with children, so a family environment is familiar to him. Good with Kids? Sugar Kane lived with children in his previous home, which is a great sign. Given his size and exuberance, older children who are comfortable around big dogs will be the best fit. Supervision is always recommended during initial introductions. Overall Health Sugar Kane tested heartworm-positive at intake and is currently being treated following the American Heartworm Society protocol - he is on Doxycycline (an antibiotic used as part of heartworm pre-treatment) and a monthly preventative. His blood work was largely normal, with only minor variations noted. He is otherwise physically healthy: clear eyes, clean ears, healthy coat, and moving well on all four legs. He is intact with a temporary spay/neuter waiver in place while his heartworm treatment is underway. His adopter will need to work with their vet to complete the full treatment course, which requires strict exercise restriction during the process. This is manageable with commitment, and the prognosis for heartworm-positive dogs who complete treatment is excellent. Other Fun Facts Sugar Kane is VERY food motivated (the vet capitalized it, and so do we). That's your secret weapon for training and bonding. Underneath the big, bouncy exterior is a dog who just wants to feel love.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 100 lbs

Medical Notes

3/23/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6 years based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Positive History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR H pink 1 sec Observed Behavior - Body relaxed; easily examined, really active and enthusiastic and unpredictable, VERY food motivated Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective P = 80hr R = 40rr BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: NSF PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT<2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI testes x 2 MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake procedures Heartworm + Had to sedate to pull enough blood for microfilaria. 1.25 mLs dexdomitor (0.5 mg/mL) and 1.25 mLs butorphanol (10 mg/mL) IM 1.25 mLs antisedan CBC/Chem/T4/4Dx/microfilaria pending SURGERY: Okay for surgery

3/23/2026

Adding Rx for trazadone

3/24/2026

HCT 41% wnl neuts 12k sl high Globulin 4.1 sl high T4 1.8 ug/dl wnl HW antigen positive Microfilaria Present - Dirofilaria immitis Microfilaria qty seen 0-1/PF ehrlichia negative lyme negative anaplasma negative Plan c/w doxycycline and heartgard Advise placement for 3 dose immiticide (melarsomine) treatment per American Heart Worm Society protocol (attached)

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Sugar Kane was active, exuberant and wiggly-bodied while intake was processed. He was easily leashed and pulled moderately on his leash on the way to medical for vaccines. He resisted entering his kennel, but went in without incident once jogged in.

Date of Intake: 3/22/2026

Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown

Basic Information:: Sugar Kane is an approximately 6-year-old large mixed breed dog that was surrendered as his owner's work schedule did not allow for the proper time to care for a dog.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults and 2 teenagers

How is this dog around strangers?: Sugar Kane is reported to be friendly, outgoing and playful with strangers. He also alert barks.

How is this dog around children?: Sugar Kane is reported to be friendly, outgoing and playful with children.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Sugar Kane is reported to be tolerant of familiar dogs but has been known to lunge at unfamiliar dogs on leash.

How is this dog around cats?: Sugar Kane is reported to lunge at cats but tolerant of other animals.

Resource guarding:: When valuable items such as toys, food, treats (bones, rawhides, etc.) are removed, Sugar Kane has been known to hard bark, snap or attempt to bite.

Bite history:: No reported bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Sugar Kane goes potty outside and very rarely has an accident. He is reported to pull hard on his leash, tries to escape his house/yard and jumps up often. On walks it is noted that he lunges at small and large dogs, strangers that approach you/family members, and cats. Sugar Kane barks/growls when held/restrained or pushed/pulled off furniture. He is fearful when startled and isn't bothered when his paws are touched or his collar is grabbed/touched.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: Yes

Medical Notes: He has some chest congestion and last saw a vet in June 2023.

For a New Family to Know: Sugar Kane has been described as very active, playful, social and affectionate. He spent most of his time in the living room. He was walked 1-2 times per day for 15 minutes and was reported to hard pull on his leash. Sugar Kane was crate trained but no longer goes in a crate. He gets nervous about car rides and is known to vomit in the car. He knows the cue "sit." Sugar Kane's previous owner's favorite thing about him is that he is not a picky eater, doesn't destroy the house when left alone and is trainable. He eats both wet and dry Purina brand dog food and enjoys all toys, snacks and food.

Date of intake:: 3/22/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: 2 adults and 2 teenagers

Behavior toward strangers:: Sugar may alert bark, friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Sugar is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Sugar is tolerant of familiar dogs, will lunge at unfamiliar dog

Behavior toward cats:: Sugar will lunge

Resource guarding:: When valuable items such as toys, food, treats (bones, rawhides, etc.) are removed, Sugar Kane has been known to hard bark, snap or attempt to bite.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Sugar Kane goes potty outside and very rarely has an accident. He is reported to pull hard on his leash, tries to escape his house/yard and jumps up often. On walks it is noted that he lunges at small and large dogs, strangers that approach you/family members, and cats. Sugar Kane barks/growls when held/restrained or pushed/pulled off furniture. He is fearful when startled and isn't bothered when his paws are touched or his collar is grabbed/touched.

Date of assessment:: 3/23/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderatly social Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Wiggly body, wagging tail, leans into handler Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Head whips during exuberant handling Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily, jumps up Toy Toy comments: Sniffs, No reaction

Summary (7):: 3/28/26: Sugar Kane is observed to takes treats gently from handler while in office. Handler also reported Sugar Kane gently took treats from hand during walks. "Toss Treats" sign is removed. 3/27/26: Sugar Kane is reported to snap at an ACS. Sugar was soliciting and allowing pets from the handler; as the handler speaks to another handler, Sugar snaps at them and no longer solicits attention. 3/26/26: It is noted on the whiteboard Sugar Kane is an "A+ dog; loose and wiggly at other dogs; comes when called; gentle; loves pets and brushing". 3/23/26: Sugar Kane is at the front of his kennel heavily panting. He is easily leashed and removed from his kennel, where he would have a moderate pull out of the room. He is then taken out for a street walk, where he would walk past people with no issue. He would relieve himself and take treats with a soft mouth. Shortly after, he is brought back inside for his assessment where he is easily collared but would remain highly aroused. After the assessment, he is easily returned back to his kennel.

Date of intake:: 3/22/2026

Summary:: Exuberant, wiggly body, jogged into kennel

Date of initial:: 3/23/2026

Summary:: Body relaxed; easily examined

ENERGY LEVEL:: Sugar Kane is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Sugar Kane.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Recommend no dog parks

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to resource guarding and on leash reactivity we recommend an experienced adult only home. No Cats: Due to lunging at cats we recommend a home with no cats. No Dog Parks: Due to lunging at unfamiliar dogs we recommend no trips to the dog park.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Sugar Kane's previous owner states that he will hard bark, snap, or attempt to bite when items such as toys, food, or treats are touched. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Sugar's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Basic Manners: Sugar Kane's previous owner states that he will jump up often. 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. Handling Sensitivity: Sugar Kane's previous owner states that he will bark and growl when held/restrained or pushed off furniture. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Sugar to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful: Sugar Kane's previous owner states that he is fearful when startled. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Sugar 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. On Leash Reactivity: Sugar Kane's previous owner states that he will lunge at dogs, strangers, and cats. Sugar will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than dogs and other stimuli. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Leash Pulling: Sugar Kane's previous owner states that he will pull hard while on leash. It is recommended that they be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which will help diminish their strength through leverage, and that they be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.