Rocco - Mixed Breed Dog for Adoption in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania

**$235 in pledges to any rescue that may pull!**
**NEW NOTES 8/21**

Rocco ACCT-A-259004 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to medical concerns. Rocco must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER by SATURDAY, AUGUST 22ND at 10AM. Should Rocco's medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.

Rocco came to ACCT Philly on August 18th as an owner-requested euthanasia after his family reported a decline in his quality of life, including deafness, a chronic skin condition, and accidents in the home. Despite these challenges, Rocco has shown himself to be a gentle, affectionate, and easygoing boy. During his evaluation, he was soft-eyed and took treats gently, warming up quickly as he became comfortable. He enjoys close contact, leaning into pets and nudging for attention, and he walks nicely on leash while allowing hands-on handling, including being picked up. With further workup and ongoing treatment for his skin condition, Rocco may still have quality time ahead of him. Due to his medical concerns, Rocco is urgently seeking placement with a rescue partner.

VIDEOS:
Rocco getting cuddles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNA4PR0PjLE
Rocco & Ezekiel:
https://youtu.be/mMXbGYqdbP4

BEHAVIOR NOTES:
Per staff 8/21:
When I first approached his kennel he was fast asleep. I knew he was deaf so I tried to call him and make some clicking noises then shake his kennel a little bit then threw some treats and nothing woke him up so I went and took another dog out. When I came back, he was awake and whining. When I approached his kennel he greeted me with an incredibly loose and wiggly body and a wagging tail. He seems like such a sweet boy! He very easily allowed me to leash him and then pick him up to get him out of the top kennel. He pulls quite a bit on leash, however, seemed more eager to explore, and obviously very easy to guide on leash. Such an incredibly sweet boy!! He's very cuddly and wants to take pets all over and sit in your lap. He wasn't as interested in toys and much more interested in me. Pretty treat motivated and takes them very gently. His skin is in really bad shape and seems to be quite infected. Easily let me pick him up and go back into kennel with a loose body, was trying to push out as I unleashed. Happy go lucky boy despite his medical issues!

Per staff 8/19:
Kennel Presentation: At the front of his top bank, soft eyes, ears to the side, loose body. Took a treat gently through the bars.

Leash Skills: Easy to leash. Slightly tense with handling at first, tail low, ears back, allowed to be picked up. Once on the ground, shook off, loose body, mid level wags, ears back, pulled mildly on leash.

Sociability: Pacing in the yard at first, ears back, high tail. Came over when I sat down and allowed all handling with looser body, ears back, gently jumped up putting his front paws on my lap when I stopped and nudged my hand with his head. Took treats outside gently.

Dog Interaction: Met Ezekiel, avoidant and moving away.

Return to Kennel: Walked back with the same body language as walking out, pulling mildly on leash. Allowed me to pick him up with loose body, low tail, ears to the side. Leash was removed easily by hand in kennel.

Color Level: Exp Gold

MEDICAL NOTES:
8/19 Vet Exam: Severe chronic skin disease with secondary infection. Grade II/VI systolic heart murmur. Reported polydipsia. Appears to be deaf. Given cytopoint and prescribed cefpoxodime. Recommend expedited exit from shelter due to severity of skin disease. Recommend following up with dermatologist for further management.

CBC/Chem17: Hct 35 (L), WBC 22.9 (H), Neut 20.4 (H), Plt 497 (H), remainder WNL

8/18 Triage Exam: Presented to triage as an ORE for chronic skin condition, pooping and peeing in the house. On exam, he is BAR social, active. Eyes clear, ears have a yeasty smell with discoloration of the skin. Nose clear, noted entire nasal bone and maxilla is bent to the right compared to the mandible, in addition to a pronounced underbite. Moderate staining, some tartar, Hair loss and thickened skin with lichenification over entire ventral torso, medial hind limbs and forelimbs, and underneath the neck. Did not react to loud noise. Given he does not appear to be actively suffering at this time, placing on vet check to determine if euthanasia is appropriate.

Per owner surrender notes 8/18: Urinating, pooping everywhere, cut infecting. Still eating. Believe he is suffering and has more bad days.

Per staff conversation with owner 8/18: ORE due to health concerns and declining QOL. Last time at the vet was 6 months ago. He is deaf, has extreme skin infection (been to allergist, has gotten allergy shot and gets benadryl once a day), has a lump on his back (looks like big tick but is not) and front of his neck (which they were told is just tissue), having accidents in the home/"everywhere", will just go as he is walking wherever he is. Does not stop to urinate/defecate. Is eating normally, but drinking excessively and still has very dark yellow urine. He does still walk/move around okay, no issue there.

--

Due to being significantly overcapacity with animals and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately.

Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging an animal.

ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.

If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/

Confirmed placement is considered a confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.

All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313.

The mixed breed dogs, often referred to as mutts, are a diverse and unique group with a blend of different characteristics from various purebred dog breeds. These dogs come from a mixture of lineages, resulting in a wide range of sizes, coat types, and temperaments. While each mixed breed dog is distinct in its own right, they are known for their resilience, adaptability, and often have fewer health issues compared to purebred dogs due to their genetic diversity. Mixed breed dogs make wonderful companions for families looking for a loyal and one-of-a-kind pet.