Dorothy

Dorothy is an adoptable female Maltese looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. She is senior and small in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 7 days left, listed due to medical. Adopting Dorothy, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Recommendations FAMILY INTRODUCTION EXPERIENCED HANDLER GO SLOW Memo 10/28/2026 10/28/26 07:19 Geriatric dog has multiple medical issues. Dog is at risk of humane euthanasia on 11/5/26 if no outlet is found by COB on 11/4/26 but may be humanely euthanized earlier if QOL declines. Intake 10/25/2026 How long have you had the animal? 4 HOURS What are the cross streets where you found the animal? MCDOWELL RD AND FOREST RD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NOT SHOWN ANY ILLNESS, PET DID APPEAR TO BE THIN IN LOBBY Is animal spayed/neutered? UNSURE Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? Was this animal around any children? YES, 3 AND 4 YEAR OLD VERY DOCILE, UNINTERSTED ALLOWED AFFECTION AND BEING HELD Did the animal interact with other animals? YES Cats? Dogs? 1 SMALL DOG, FRIENDLY DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO OTHER DOG Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO Can the animal walk on a leash? WALKS WELL SOURCE BELIEVES PET MAY BE BLIND Does the animal know any commands? NO Where was this animal kept? IN VEHCILE If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM MAINLY STAYED ON LAP OF SOURCE If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? N/A Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NO How would you describe the animal’s energy level? LOW ENERGY, VERY CALM, LOVES TO BE IN ARMS OR LAP Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? VERY CALM, VERY SWEET Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/27/2026 Dog was sleeping on approach, handler gently tapped floor of shoreline. Dog allowed petting and initially flinched but began leaning into it with time. Placing Green due to kennel presence and intake notes. 10/25/2026 Pet was friendly upon approach and allowed all handling. Vaccinated with minimal restaint. Carried to kennel and leash was removed by hand without any issues. Medical Treatments 10/27/2026 Dog appears to be blind, geriatric and stiff in movement. 10/27/2026 10/27/26 18:28 P is BAR; BCS 2.5–3/9 EENT: OU- advanced cataracts and severely reduced vision bilaterally, no menace response. AU has minimal debris, no discharge or erythema, hearing appears intact. Nose clean with no nasal discharge Dental: Grade 4/4. Multiple missing teeth bilaterally with severe calculus accumulation, particularly along right maxillary molars Cardio/Resp: Grade 3/6 left-sided heart murmur auscultated; eupneic. Normal bronchovesicular lung sounds auscultated in bilateral lung fields; eupneic with no nasal discharge. GI: Good appetite for canned food; formed stool score 3/7 observed in kennel Derm: Unkempt hair coat with multiple areas of matting, primarily along distal limbs Musc/Skel: Mild HL stiffness with slow, cautious ambulation, partially suspected secondary to severe visual impairment. Able to ambulate independently back and forth between kennel portals Urogenital: Unable to visualize or palpate possible ventral abdominal spay scar A: - Underweight – r/o: inadequate caloric intake, limited access to food, underlying illness, or other - Advanced cataracts OU with visual impairment - Severe periodontal disease, grade 4/4, with multiple missing teeth and heavy calculus - Grade 3/6 left-sided heart murmur; r/o: degenerative mitral valve disease vs other structural cardiac disease - Mild HL stiffness and slow, cautious ambulation; r/o: chronic DJD/OA vs compensation for severe visual impairment - Unkempt hair coat with multifocal matting, primarily distal limbs - Geriatric; estimate age at ~ 12-15 years P: - Run in-house blood glucose - Feed canned food only twice daily to encourage weight gain - Dog is not suitable to PUFA or foster at this time. No surgery at MCACC d/t health. Dog needs transfer to an urgent medical NHO Partner for comprehensive senior bloodwork, cardiac diagnostics (ie. echo, radiographs), full dental evaluation/cleaning/extractions, etc. +/- assessment with veterinary ophthalmologist. Dog is at risk of humane euthanasia on 11/5/26 if no outlet is found by COB on 11/4/26, but may be humanely euthanized earlier if QOL declines. 10/25/2026 10/25/26 14:57, M Nobivac Canine 1-DAPPv, manufactured by Merck, Serial number: 0210235A adminstered lateral shoulder by AR. Nobivac Intra-Trac3, manufactured by Merck, Serial number: 00541532A administered IN by AR. Nobivac 3-Rabies, manufactured by Zoetis, Serial number: 871404 administered SQ, R lateral hip, by JP. Supervising veterinarian ST. Provecta Advanced for dogs 5-10lbs, 1 tube of topical solution applied between shoulder blades by AR. Reapply after one month. No tattoo or scar seen with adult mammary and vulvar development, consistent with unaltered female. AR Microchip not found In-Kennel Behavior Rounds No In-Kennel Behavior Rounds Memos Bite History No recorded bites Name: Dorothy Animal ID: A5173687 Breed: TAN/WHITE MALTESE/MIX Sex: Female Age: 12Y 0M Weight: 5.4 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing V - 320 Intake Date: 10/25/2026 Deadline Date: 11/4/2026