Animal Profile


Sugar Cube

Hello, my name is Sugar Cube. My animal id is #260759. I am a male black dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 7 years 3 weeks old.

I came into the shelter as a stray on 7/26/2026.

Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.

Pre-Screener Form

Sugar Cube is on the at-risk list due to medical and behavioral concerns. At this time, Sugar Cube has been diagnosed with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (aka an upper respiratory infection) and conjunctivitis. Sugar Cube has allowed very limited handling while in our care, which limits our ability to treat these infections. He has escalated to higher-level warnings during medical handling, including lunging, growling, and snapping. He did bite a staff member on the hand after being picked up to be returned to his top kennel. The bite resulted in multiple punctures and drew blood.

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. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Sugar Cube is on the at-risk list due to medical and behavioral concerns. At this time, Sugar Cube has been diagnosed with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (aka an upper respiratory infection) and conjunctivitis. Sugar Cube has allowed very limited handling while in our care, which limits our ability to treat these infections. He has escalated to higher-level warnings during medical handling, including lunging, growling, and snapping. He did bite a staff member on the hand after being picked up to be returned to his top kennel. The bite resulted in multiple punctures and drew blood. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! It is unknown if I have ever lived with other animals or children. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 18.2 lbs

7/26/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 5-7 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: stray, reported to be found in apartment Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - staff able to leash and bring into intake room, solicits attn, wagging tail, sedated for wound cleaning Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? N Objective: T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 4.5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, copious light brown ceruminous debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: missing upper incisors, rostral dentition significantly worn down with moderate wear and staining PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, two scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, diffuse matting esp over the limbs, facial region, pinna, wound to the left cranial shoulder region with appearance of healthy granulation tissue, no d/c or swelling CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities In house BW: Assessment: Wound Matting Dental dz approx 2-3/4 Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks sedated with 0.2mL dex/torb adequate sedation, woke up abruptly at the end of procedure - staff reported growling and snapped wound cleaned with sterile saline, dilute chlorohex, edges debrided, manuka honey applied ears cleaned start amoxi-clav 13.75mg/kg PO BID x 10 days (125mg) start carpro 4.4mg/kg PO SID x 5 days (1/2 75mg tab) recheck in 2 days jotform/pics awaiting sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery: N Temporary waiver due to wound

7/26/2026

Your newly adopted pet has a wound 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.

7/26/2026

in house BW: CBC: H WBCs (26.7) H neut (23.04) H monos (2.08) L eos (0.05) CHEM: Creat L (0.4) TT4: wnl A. Stress vs inflam leukogram all other results nsf P. Okay for carpro CTM and recheck as scheduled

7/28/2026

S: Recheck wound, comfort O: EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge MSI: shaved, wound on left shoulder scabbed over, does not seem to bother him Mentation: BAR A: Severe matting - resolved Wound on shoulder - scabbed over, healing; appears comfortable P: Continue abx and carprofen Recheck wound in 5 days; OK to D/C Clavamox at 7 days or continue for full 10 days?

8/3/2026

S: Recheck wound, on Day 7 of clavamox Reported to be eating well, no c/s/v/d. O: BAR, readily comes to front of the kennel to interact. EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge MSI: ~2cm circular wound on L cranial should that has healthy granulation tissue with mild scabbing around edges. No erythema or discharge noted. Mentation: BAR A: Severe matting - resolved L cranial should wound - appears to be healing well by second intention. P: Wound is healing well. As it is healing by second intention, will require more time to fully scar over/heal. Plan to continue clavamox for full 10 day course. Recheck scheduled at end of Clavamox course (8/6) to evaluate and determine if OK to move to small dog adoptions.

8/6/2026

S: Recheck wound, on Day 10 of clavamox Reported to be eating well, no c/s/v/d. O: BAR, readily comes to front of the kennel to interact. EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge MSI: ~1.5cm circular wound on L cranial shoulder. No erythema or discharge noted. Scar tissue starting to form over granulation tissue. Mentation: BAR A: Severe matting - resolved L cranial should wound - healing. P: Wound is healing well and appears to be scarring over at this time. Plan to d/c clavamox as scheduled. OK to move to adoption floor.

8/6/2026

S: DOH hold due to bite. Visual exam only O: EENT: No ODC or NDC, clear eyes Normal appetite, no c/s/v/d. MSI: Ambulatory x4 Mentation: BAR, appropriate mentation. No evidence of neurologic disease Integ: healing shoulder wound A: Healing wound Neurologically appropriate P: DOH hold for bite quarantine

8/13/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no C/V/D. Sneezing present Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Under the weather sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck as scheduled

8/15/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 3 recheck Subjective: BAR, no V/D. Coughing & sneezing present. AS:2 may have eaten some wet food Objective: EYES: OU crusted shut (unable to clean & administer eye meds due to behavior) LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mucopurulent discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Start medical feedings PO BID x5 days -CTM, recheck as scheduled

8/16/2026

DOH release from observation / cageside progress exam S: QAR - sitting in back of kennel tongue flicking spontaneous wet productive cough and intermittent productive sneeze witnessed vomit bile in kennel once during exam no d reported P ate meds in food but did not eat remainder of meal O: EENT: Moderate crusting yellow ocular discharge with moderate blepharospasm OU, severe mucopurulent nasal discharge, corneas clear. Visually tracking with no nystagmus Oral: No ptyalism, pink moist mm at distance MSK: Ambulatory x4 NEURO: Normal mentation, no ataxia A/P: P is not showing any neurologic symptoms or signs of rabies at this time and is released from rabies observation. CIRDC - clinically worsening Conjunctivitis OU V / hyporexia r/o 2ary to CIRDC vs 1ary GI vs other ADD Cerenia 16mg PO SID x5d IN HIGH VALUE TREAT ADD Entyce 0.8mL PO SID x5d MIXED INTO HIGH VALUE TREAT ADD Medical feedings PO BID x5d CONTINUE Doxycycline as RXd OK for temporary waiver given CIRDC DVM recheck 8/17 Discussion: Concerned that P is not eating consistently and CIRDC symptoms are worsening despite treatments. At this time we cannot completely r/o concurrent pneumonia. Given inability to administer injectable treatments due to P behavior adding P to ARL. P would benefit from a calmer environment and closer monitoring. It is likely P will also need injectable treatments if anorexia is prolonged.

8/17/2026

reheck CIRDC, possible pneumonia, d/t TDO status cannot receive injectables S/O BAR, comes to the front of the kennel C+++, puffing out cheeks, mild mucoserous nasal dc, moderate serous OU dc, eupneic at rest, amb x 4. A. CIRDC r/o pneumonia Anorexia - improved, p ate all wet food today P. Con't with current treatments - p appears to be eating wet food and MF well aTT recheck as scheduled CTM closely while at QACC

8/19/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing/huffing & occasional hacking present. AS:3, one empty tray & ate medical feeding Objective: EYES: mild clear mucoid discharge OS. Appears improved from prior exam. LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Upon intake Sugar Cube was fearful. He was handled minimally due to medical severity and behavior stated by founders. Founder stated he snapped when they placed him into a carrier.

Date of intake:: 7/26/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown

Other Notes:: On 08/06/2026, at approximately 9:00 am, a medical handler was returning Sugar Cube to his top kennel. She picked him up and entered Med ICU. Upon entering the room, Sugar Cube turned and snapped, biting them on the left hand between the thumb and index finger, resulting in multiple puncture wounds and drawing blood. The handler placed Sugar Cube on the ground, and he lunged at them again. Other staff came and assisted in safely securing Sugar Cube in his kennel following the incident, and no further escalation occurred. The victim cleaned the wound on-site and will be seeking medical attention at an urgent care.

Date of assessment:: 7/30/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: carried due to concerns for wounds Reactivity to humans: ignore Reactivity to dogs: did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): pants, but stays near handlers, solicits petting Call over: approaches readily Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: pants, leans in, rolls onto back with belly exposed, tail tucked Exuberant handling: pants, leans in, rolls onto back with belly exposed, tail tucked Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follows, loose Arousal comments: continues to pant Knock: no response Knock Comments: Toy: no response Toy comments:

Summary (7):: 7/30/26 (Assessment): Sugar Cube was asleep at back of kennel as handler approached. He was easily leashed and picked up from top kennel and carried to behavior office for an assessment (Please see assessment notes for details). After assessment they were returned to kennel with no issue. 7/28/26: Sugar Cube gently approached the front of the kennel when it was opened. He displayed a soft body, leaned his head forward for pets, and readily accepted petting along his body while maintaining a loose, relaxed posture. The kennel was closed without any issues. 7/26/26: Sugar Cube was seen growing and snapping during a medical treatment for his eyes. A staff member holds a toy by his mouth to keep him from biting them.

Date of intake:: 7/26/2026

Summary:: fearful, minimal handling due medical concerns and escalations

Date of initial:: 7/26/2026

Summary:: able to leash, intially solicits, staff report seeing snapping and attempting to bite during exam

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Sugar Cube's potential for defensive escalations and bite history, we recommend that he be placed in an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Sugar Cube has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression |Handling/touch sensitivity: Sugar Cube was reported to have growled and snapped at his handler when being placed in a carrier to bring him to the Care Centers. During his medical treatment, Sugar Cube was observed to be growling and snapping at medical staff. Please see handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression and Handling/touch sensitivity. Anxiety: Sugar Cube panted heavily throughout his assessment and was unable to settle on his own. Please see handout on generalized Anxiety. Bite history (human): Sugar Cube has bitten a staff member after being picked up to be placed in his top kennel. The bite resulted in multiple punctures to the left hand between the thumb and index finger, drawing blood. Once he was placed on the ground, he lunged at the hadnler again. A second handler was needed to assist in returning him to the kennel.