Maybellene, a 5-year-old Golden Retriever, was surrendered to GRRAND in January 2024 after her original owners faced financial and health challenges that prevented them from continuing her care. Despite her sweet temperament, Maybellene was struggling with severe skin allergies and infections when she arrived at GRRAND. Her skin was itchy, bleeding, and scabbed, leaving her in constant discomfort.
Fortunately, Maybellene was placed with Kristen Price, a GRRAND foster mom who also owned a Golden Retriever. Kristen, a nurse at the University of Kentucky, became a fierce advocate for Maybellene’s health. With GRRAND’s support, she implemented a special diet, coordinated visits to a veterinary dermatology specialist, and administered weekly allergy shots. Though the treatment was both time-consuming and expensive, it was effective. Maybellene has now been free from allergy flare-ups for months, and her once-suffering skin has healed into a healthy, beautiful coat.
While in Kristen’s care, Maybellene needed a dog sitter for the long 12-hour shifts that Kristen worked at the hospital. She hired Abby, a local dog sitter, who quickly formed a deep bond with Maybellene. Realizing how special Maybellene was, Abby decided to adopt her in March, fully aware of the ongoing care and financial responsibilities involved with a special-needs dog. Since the adoption, Abby has diligently continued Maybellene’s treatment, ensuring she receives top-tier veterinary care.
In April, Maybellene was prescribed immunosuppressant medication to manage her allergy-related itching. While the medication was effective, it led to an unfortunate side effect: gingival hyperplasia, or overgrowth of the gum tissue, which required surgery to prevent infection and ease her ability to eat. Abby scheduled a consultation with a veterinary dental specialist for September 10.
However, what was expected to be a routine dental visit quickly turned alarming. After examining Maybellene, the vet recommended a full workup for lymphoma. Abby, shocked but determined to do what was best for her dog, consented to the tests. Thankfully, the results suggested that Maybellene most likely did not have lymphoma, but she was diagnosed with a different autoimmune disease. With an inconclusive diagnosis, her gum surgery was rescheduled for September 18.
Later that evening, Abby noticed a solid mass developing behind Maybellene’s jaw and down her neck. Concerned, she took her back to the primary vet the next morning. Fearing that the mass could obstruct her airway, the vet recommended an emergency CT scan at MedVet. Abby rushed Maybellene to Cincinnati for the scan, but delays caused by other critical cases meant that Maybellene’s condition worsened. By the time her scan was completed, she had become a critical case herself.
After reviewing the CT results, the oncologist informed Abby that exploratory surgery was necessary to relieve pressure on Maybellene’s airway. Abby had only a few minutes to make a heart-wrenching decision: euthanasia or proceed with the costly surgery, which ranged from $6,000 to $10,000, on top of the thousands already spent on diagnostics earlier that week. Despite the mounting costs, Abby chose surgery. She couldn’t give up on Maybellene after all the progress they had made.
The surgery was a success, and Maybellene was discharged last night. For the next two weeks, she will need to rest in a crate and continue with heavy antibiotics and pain medication. She also has a wound drain that will remain for at least seven days. We remain hopeful for a speedy recovery and for Maybellene to return to her normal, lively self. Once she is fully healed, her gum surgery will be scheduled.
In the meantime, Kristen Price, Maybellene’s former foster mom, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate the financial burden on Abby, allowing her to focus on Maybellene’s recovery.