Koko
Hello, my name is Koko. My animal id is #263346. I am a female white dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 4 years 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 8/24/2026, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- no time for animal.
Koko is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Koko has a significant hard palate defect/injury and severe facial swelling. She will need additional veterinary wound care and possibly surgery. At this time, Koko has a good appetite and is stable. Behaviorally, she has allowed all handling.
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. Koko is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Koko has a significant hard palate defect/injury and severe facial swelling. She will need additional veterinary wound care and possibly surgery. At this time, Koko has a good appetite and is stable. Behaviorally, she has allowed all handling.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 33.8 lbs
8/25/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~3-7 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: DOH-V, OS Subjective: BARH, pink moist mm, CRT <2s Observed Behavior - Friendly, soliciting attention Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 2.5/9 MCS 3/3 EENT: Scant mucoid discharge at medial canthus OU, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild staining of dentition, limited view due to facial swelling PLN: moderate swelling of submandibular LNs H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Female - appears intact no tattoo or spay scar MSI: Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed INT: No masses noted, no ectoparasites seen, severe facial swelling with many superficial scabbing wounds (no wounds more than 2-3mm deep) with few having purulent discharge (too numerous to count) CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: Bite wounds on face with severe soft tissue swelling and purulent discharge -- DOH-V Ocular discharge susp 2ary to facial swelling Underweight FI mature adult mixed breed Prognosis: Fair Plan: OK for appropriate intake tasks DOH-V Keep in med ICU until swelling improves DVM recheck 8/27 ADD Diphenhydramine 0.6mL (2mg/kg) IM ONCE ADD Carprofen 1.3mL (4.4mg/kg) SQ ONCE START TOMORROW: ADD Carprofen 75mg (~4.4mg/kg) PO SID x14d - PM TREATMENT ADD Clavamox 250mg (~15mg/kg) PO BID x10d SURGERY: Temporary waiver for wounds
8/25/2026
Your newly adopted pet has wounds and the staff veterinarians are issuing a TEMPORARY waiver from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY. Follow up care at your regular veterinarian is recommended to ensure continued treatment through to the resolution of the issue. At the time of a full recovery you may choose to have your veterinarian perform the spay/neuter surgery, or make provisions to return the pet to ACC for sterilization.
8/27/2026
Recheck facial swelling- surrendering owners reported another dog bit her in the face, timeline unclear S/O: BAR, active, allows handling, eating well, no c/s/v/d noted; yawns and large defect visible at hard palate EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge ORAL: Examined under sedation - see below LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Amb x 4, underweight; severe swelling along dorsal muzzle with pitting edema (appearance of bull terrier), multifocal lesions/superficial wounds along dorsal muzzle, ulceration/superficial lesions along lips, most notable rostrally CNS: Appropriate mentation Sedated with dex/torb 0.3 ml IM of each -Large defect/wound at left side of hard palate at level of 206-207 extending to midline. Defect extends laterally into buccal mucosa and missing and exposed dentition/roots appreciated (missing 206/207). -Smaller defect at right side of hard palate at level of 107 with exposed dentition/roots and alveolar bone -Nasal passages exposed and appear erythematous and malodor coming from opening Skull rads: Lucency noted on left lateral skull in region of defect, no other discernable abnormalities 2VCXR: NSF A: Severe hard palate injuries/defects, left > right - ro secondary to reported bite vs other trauma (electrical cord vs penetrating FB vs other) Severe swelling/pitting edema of dorsal muzzle - likely secondary to hard palate injury Wounds/lesions on lips Underweight P: Submitted CBC/CHEM/T4/UA to idexx Continue carprofen and clavamox CTM closely while at QACC - seek placement ASAP for surgical repair options
8/28/2026
Recheck, bw results S/O: BAR, great appetite, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, nasal congestion audible LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Amb x 4; significant swelling of dorsal muzzle unchanged CNS: Appropriate mentation CBC: Hct 36.7 (L), WBC 24.8 (H), neutrophils 17.782 (H), monocytes 3.199 (H) CHEM: Phosphorus 6.6 (H) T4: 0.9 (L) UA: pH 5.5 (L), USG 1.030 A: Mild anemia Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis - ro inflammation/infection (wound/swelling) Low T4 - ro euthyroid sick Severe hard palate injuries/defects, left > right - ro secondary to reported bite vs other trauma (electrical cord vs penetrating FB vs other) Severe swelling/pitting edema of dorsal muzzle - likely secondary to hard palate injury Underweight P: Continue current treatment plan Seek placement ASAP for surgical consult
8/31/2026
recheck p with hard palate injury S/O BAR, A+A, staff reported eating well, take HVTs, no c/s/v/d appreciated or noted EENT: no ocular or nasal dc HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4, swelling/edema over the dorsal muzzle region A. Soft tissue swelling/edema- appears unchanged from last exam P. Cont with current tx plan and recheck as scheduled
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 1. Green
upon intake: she let staff scan for ID and to take her picture, she was rushed back to medical and wasn't handled further
Date of Intake: 8/24/2026
Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown
Basic Information:: Koko is a 2y/o MMB who was born in the home and it is unknown when she has last been to the vet
Previously lived with:: 2 adults 2 MMB
How is this dog around strangers?: owner states she will hard bark and is tolerant
How is this dog around children?: she has spent time around kids of various ages and is tolerant,
How is this dog around other dogs?: with familiar dogs she is playful, friendly and outgoing she will; hard bark at unfamiliar dogs
How is this dog around cats?: has not spent time around cats so behavior is unknown
Resource guarding:: she has a tense body/hovers over when her food/treats and toys are touched
Bite history:: she has been bitten by another dog
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: very high
Other Notes:: she isn't bothered when she is held/restrained, disturbed when sleeping, startled, push/pulled off furniture, feet/paws touched or when her collar is grabbed.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: Yes
Medical Notes: facial wounds and swelling
For a New Family to Know: She is social/affectionate and very active and playful. She likes to be where people are and in her crate.She loves bath time/water and allows her family to bathe and brush her and goes on various length walks 3-4x daily with no pulling. She is crate trained up to 5 hours and loves going for car rides.
Date of intake:: 8/24/2026
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender
Previously lived with:: 2 adults 2 medium dogs
Behavior toward strangers:: hard bark and is tolerant
Behavior toward children:: tolerant
Behavior toward dogs:: familiar dogs - playful, social; unfamiliar dogs - hard bark
Behavior toward cats:: unknown
Resource guarding:: Koko is reported to become tense and hover over her food and treats when touched.
Bite history:: Koko is the victim of being bitten by another dog. The incident took place 3 days before her surrender. While at the dog park, a larger dog grabbed Koko by the head/face, biting, holding on, and shaking, leading to her injuries. 8/31: Upon returning Koko to her kennel after a walk, a handler walked into a neighboring room, and a dog named Mac started barking. Once Koko was physically in her kennel, Mac got out of her kennel and started to kennel-fight Koko. It was noted that Koko also reacted to hearing Mac bark at her and barked/lunged in return. The handler was unable to fully secure the door to Koko's kennel prior to Mac getting out, so handler stayed and called for help. Another handler rushed in and was able to leash Mac and take her out of the room. Koko's kennel was secured and leash was retrieved afterwards with the hook tool.
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: Koko is reported to have a very high energy level.
Other Notes:: Koko isn't bothered when she is held/restrained, disturbed when sleeping, startled, push/pulled off furniture, feet/paws touched or when her collar is grabbed. She loves bath time/water and allows her family to bathe and brush her and goes on various length walks 3-4x daily with no pulling. She is crate trained up to 5 hours and loves going for car rides.
Date of assessment:: 9/1/2026
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: none - loose leash Reactivity to humans: ignores Reactivity to dogs: did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): intially tucked tail, quickly warms up with treats and slow approach Call over: approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: begins exploring room, mostly keeps to self Handling Soft handling: leans in Exuberant handling: leans in Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follows, jumps on handler with soft body Arousal comments: Knock: approaches, loose body Knock Comments: Toy: no response Toy comments: ignores
Date of intake:: 9/24/2026
Summary:: allowed intake tasks, rushed to medical due to injuries
Date of initial:: 8/25/2026
Summary:: Friendly, soliciting attention
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3
Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Koko's initial fearfulness and reported resource guarding in the previous home, we recommend a home with older children. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Due tohe concerning level of reactivity displayed in care and reported in the previous home, we recommend for Koko to be the only dog in the home and not attend dog parks at this time.
Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful,Other
Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Koko is reported to become tense and hover over her food and treats when touched. Please see handout on Resource guarding. Basic manners/poor impulse control: Koko began jumping up on the assessor during the jog portion of her assessment. Her body and face were soft, and she had low tail wags. Please see handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Fearful: Koko was intially fearful at the beginning of her assessment. She did warm up to handlers with treats and a slow approach. Please see handout on decompression period. Other: Koko was a victim of a dog bite. She was bitten on the head/face; the dog that bit her held on and shook which resulted in several injuries.
