Betsy is a court therapy dog with Guide Dogs NSW. Before taking on this role, she was part of the breeding program now retired. Betsy experienced significant complications after delivering her litter. She developed a sudden-onset of mastitis that progressed to MRSP, becoming critically ill needing a double mastectomy —we almost lost her. The team at SASH saved her life, and she is here today because of their care.
Following her lifesaving treatment, Betsy developed PTSD, anxiety, and noise sensitivities and became antibiotic resistant. Due COVID restrictions this prevented us from visiting her during her recovery and lifesaving treatments. We later had to work extensively on desensitisation to help rebuild her confidence. Two years later, with the support of SASH, Guide Dogs, and our family, she was finally able to manage her fears well enough to become a court therapy dog and has been in this role for just over a year.
Over the past two years, however, her immune system has shown signs of weakness. She developed allergies and required frequent vet visits for allergy injections and medical reviews at Kogarah Vet hospital (Benny and the Pets), which was made to be more challenging by her antibiotic resistance. We returned to SASH to work with the Dermatology team after speaking to them at the dog show, and we continue to do so today. Thanks to them, Betsy is now the most comfortable she has been in a long time, although she is still being managed for a B12 deficiency, liver concerns, and ongoing allergies.
As part of her allergy investigations, she was placed on an eight-week vegetarian diet to determine whether her symptoms were caused by protein or environmental triggers. We learned that she is highly allergic to storage mites—commonly found in kibble—so she can no longer able to eat any kibble at all without becoming very ill. For a time, we had to freeze all her food and treats to reduce exposure, which required us to purchase an additional freezer and increased costs significantly. Well worth it for a dog that has given so much to aid people managing blindness or needing therapy for mental health, medical issues or even to aid victims of domestic violence. Therefore, we will continue to make Besty comfortable with the support of the SASH team.
Betsy will be undergoing repeat allergy testing, an ultrasound to assess her organs, and we are also considering a liver biopsy to rule out Cushing’s disease or other hormonal concerns. Once these tests have been considered and reviewed, we will be arranging a vaccine to help desensitise Betsy from her allergies to make it a safer place for her. We are hopeful the vaccine will help and we understand her triggers with SASH’s aid.
– Alexandria NSW, North Ryde NSW
