Animal Profile


Pitkin

Hello, my name is Pitkin. My animal id is #261252. I am a male black dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 3 years old.

I came into the shelter as a stray on 7/31/2026.

Pitkin is on the at-risk list due to medical concerns. Pitkin required stabilization at an emergency hospital after being hit by a car. He sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including a repaired right forelimb laceration, superficial abrasions, suspected traumatic brain injury, suspected frontal skull fracture, and bilateral pneumothoraces that resolved with emergency treatment. Since transfer to the shelter, Pitkin has remained ambulatory but continues to require ongoing medical management for pain, nausea, hyporexia, intermittent altered mentation, and gastrointestinal signs including melena, hematochezia, and vomiting. He is currently receiving several medications for management and Pitkin would benefit from placement for continued supportive care and follow up. Behaviorally, he has understandably sensitive to touch but allows handling and warms up quickly.

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. Pitkin is on the at-risk list due to medical concerns. Pitkin required stabilization at an emergency hospital after being hit by a car. He sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including a repaired right forelimb laceration, superficial abrasions, suspected traumatic brain injury, suspected frontal skull fracture, and bilateral pneumothoraces that resolved with emergency treatment. Since transfer to the shelter, Pitkin has remained ambulatory but continues to require ongoing medical management for pain, nausea, hyporexia, intermittent altered mentation, and gastrointestinal signs including melena, hematochezia, and vomiting. He is currently receiving several medications for management and Pitkin would benefit from placement for continued supportive care and follow up. Behaviorally, he has understandably sensitive to touch but allows handling and warms up quickly.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 45 lbs

7/31/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2-5 years old based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scan negative Subjective/History: Hit by car intake Sent to ER for stabilization 7/29: - AFAST: No free fluid, no abnormalities - Blood gas: Elevated lactate (4.25), Elevated Glu (141), Decreased K (3.2). All other values wnl. PCV 50%, TS 7g/dL. - Thoracic Radiographs: Bilateral moderate-severe pneumothorax (L>R) - Abdominal Radiographs: Decreased serosal detail, abdominal effusion is not appreciated on intake. In ER: Placed IVC, started IVF, Methadone, Unasyn, and hypertonic saline and mannitol (for head injury). Overtime, patient was noted to have absent menace but intact PLRs, crepitus noted around forehead with palpable defect in skull on midline. Epistaxis improved, pneumothorax improved. Performed laceration R axillary/tricep repair. *Will require suture removal in 2 weeks. Observed Behavior - BAR, patient allowed full exam and intake treatments with minimal restraint. Preferred to be close to people and sought petting. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No - HBC trauma. Objective: T = NP P = 96 R = 36 BCS 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild dental calculus on molars, no other abnormalities in mouth. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male, both testicles palpated MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted. - Repaired laceration site on lateral RFL, multiple superficial abrasions Periocular OD, along right side of muzzle and distal limbs. 1-2 broken toe nails noted. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities on exam today. Normal proprioception, no ataxia noted, no deficits. No obvious spinal pain on palpation. Rectal: NP Assessment: HBC/ER stabilization on 7/29/2026 - R forelimb (axillary/triceps) laceration - repaired 7/29 - Epistaxis - improved - Hemopysis - Multiple superficial abrasions on flank bilaterally and head - Suspect TBI - improved - Suspect skull fracture (frontal bone) - Mineral opaque gastric foreign material without evidence of obstruction Prognosis: Fair pending response to treatment Plan: - Continue pain management Methodone 0.2mg/kg (0.4ml) IM BID x 3 days Cerenia 1mg/kg (2ml) SQ SID x 3 days *Next dose due 8/1 AM Carprofen 4.4mg/kg (1.7ml) SQ BID x 3 days Performed all intake tasks Schedule recheck on 8/1 to evaluate mentation and progress with treatment. Schedule suture removal of RF laceration repair on 8/10. SURGERY: Temporary waiver due to recent trauma. Re-evaluate stability for elective anesthesia in 1-2 weeks.

8/1/2026

S: Recheck progress HBC, stabilized at ER and then came into shelter 7/29 for continued care. Noted to eat well overnight (AS3) with melena noted today. Objective: T = NP P = 90 R = 26 BCS 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted. - Repaired laceration site on lateral RFL, multiple superficial abrasions Periocular OD, along right side of muzzle and distal limbs. 1-2 broken toe nails noted. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities on exam today. Normal proprioception, no ataxia noted, no deficits. No obvious spinal pain on palpation. Assessment: HBC/ER stabilization on 7/29/2026 - R forelimb (axillary/triceps) laceration - repaired 7/29 - Epistaxis - improved - Multiple superficial abrasions on flank bilaterally and head - Suspect TBI - improved - Suspect skull fracture (frontal bone) - Mineral opaque gastric foreign material without evidence of obstruction - Melena noted 8/1 Prognosis: Fair pending response to treatment Plan: - Continue pain management Methodone 0.2mg/kg (0.4ml) IM BID x 3 days Cerenia 1mg/kg (2ml) SQ SID x 3 days *Next dose due 8/1 AM Plan to d/c carprofen due to melena. Rx Famotidine 10mg: 1t BID x 3 days

8/1/2026

Your newly adopted pet has been diagnosed with TRAUMA 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.

8/3/2026

S: Recheck progress HBC, stabilized at ER and then came into shelter 7/29 for continued care. Noted to eat well overnight (AS3) with melena noted 8/1 and hematochezia noted 8/3. Objective: P = 80 R = 20 BCS 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no ocular discharge noted. Epistaxis noted. H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, healing lacerations and abrasions noted previously. CNS: Quiet mentation, examined after methadone has been given and likely impacting neurologic exam this morning. Assessment: HBC/ER stabilization on 7/29/2026 - R forelimb (axillary/triceps) laceration - repaired 7/29 - Epistaxis - improved, noted again 8/3. - Multiple superficial abrasions on flank bilaterally and head - Suspect TBI - improved - Suspect skull fracture (frontal bone) - Mineral opaque gastric foreign material without evidence of obstruction - Melena noted 8/1 - Hematochezia noted 8/3 Plan: Extend Cerenia 1mg/kg (2ml) SQ SID x 3 additional days Extend famotidine 10mg BID x 3 additional days Rx Gabapentin 300mg BID x 10 days Rx Fortiflora SID x 10 days Recheck scheduled for 8/4 - assess pain level and if methodone needs to be continued.

8/4/2026

DVM Progress Exam Brief Recheck S/O: -HBC, stabilized at ER and then came into shelter 7/29 for continued care. -QAR to lethargic when not on methadone for an extended period of time; last dose PM of 8/3; evaluated twice today - 9 AM and 4 PM. -Eating some but not readily; one episode of vomit this AM and hypersalivating in PM. A: -Multiple HBC injuries -Altered mentation -Nausea with vomiting -Hyporexia P: -Extend Methadone through 8/5; AM dose on 8/4 not administered -Continue Cerenia injection through 8/6 -Switch to Famotidine injection 2.0 ml SQ SID through 8/6 -Gave 300 ml of SQ fluids once and continue through 8/6 -Medical Feeding BID x 3 days through 8/6 -Recheck tomorrow

8/5/2026

DVM Progress Report -P is stable - same status as of yesterday. -No report of vomiting today. -P has not eaten AM feeding as of this report. -Placed on ARL and seeking NHP. -Brief recheck and pathway follow-up tomorrow.

8/6/2026

S: DVM progress exam EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no ocular discharge noted. No epistaxis or NDC noted today. H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, healing lacerations and abrasions noted previously. CNS: BAR, patient readily came to front of kennel and wanted to interact. PLR intact and responsive, CN intact, Menace present. Assessment: HBC/ER stabilization on 7/29/2026 - R forelimb (axillary/triceps) laceration - repaired 7/29 - Epistaxis - appears resolved on 8/6 exam - Multiple superficial abrasions on flank bilaterally and head - Suspect TBI - improved - Skull fracture (frontal bone) - Mineral opaque gastric foreign material without evidence of obstruction - Melena noted 8/1, not appreciated since. - Hematochezia noted 8/3, not appreciated since. - Weight loss (45lbs on intake, 42.5lbs 8/6) - r/o if hyporexia is due to pain medications vs. GI upset vs. other. Plan: Patient's last methadone dose was 8/5. Plan to monitor off medication for the day. Low appetite is reported, attempt to see if appetite improves once methadone has been d/c. Extend Cerenia 1mg/kg (2ml) SQ SID x 2 additional days Extend famotidine 10mg/kg SID x 2 additional days Continue Gabapentin 300mg BID x 10 days Continue Fortiflora SID x 10 days Discontinue LRS and methadone as previously scheduled. Recheck scheduled for 8/7 - assess appetite. Listed on ARL, OK to re-list at this time.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Date of intake:: 7/31/2026

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

Date of assessment:: 8/6/2026

Summary:: Pitkin is currently unable to undergo a handling assessment due to his ongoing medical concerns. He was surrendered into care as a stray, so his past behavior in a home environment is unknown. In the Care Centers, Pitkin was reported to be friendly during his intake. During his medical exam, he allowed the full exam and treatments with minimal restraint. Pitkin was noted to prefer being close to staff and would solicit petting. During a walk, it was noted that Pitkin was very slow moving and wary of incoming people and other dogs. Due to the extent of his medical concerns, Pitkin's determination is reflected in the behavioral information that has been observed during his stay in care. However, it’s unclear whether Pitkin's behavior will remain consistent or if new behaviors may emerge once he is fully medically cleared. Positive reinforcement should be used when working with Pitkin.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-dog history recorded. 08/06/26 Due to Pitkin's current medical concerns, he is not a candidate for playgroup at this time.

Date of intake:: 7/31/2026

Summary:: friendly

Date of initial:: 7/31/2026

Summary:: allowed exam, sought petting

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 2

Recommendations:: No young children (under 5)

Recommendations comments:: No young children (under 5): Due to Pitkin's observed fearfulness and potential sensitivities from his healing injuries, we recommend a home without young children.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity: Due to the extent of Pitkin's medical concerns and his possible painful responses to touch, it is important to be cautious when touching or interacting with him. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Pitkin to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful: Pitkin is a bit fearful at the care center. It is important to always go slow and give him the option to walk away from any social interaction. Pitkin should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Pitkin’s choice to approach a new person or thing. He would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression period.