Kara’s Comeback: From 2022 Sepsis to Competing at Crufts 2026 with McTimoney Support

Kara Dennis is an 11-year-old Border Collie with a significant medical history.

In 2022, she was hospitalised with sepsis of unknown origin, presenting primarily with reduced appetite and low white blood cell counts. She required intensive inpatient care and responded well to intravenous antibiotic therapy. During hospitalisation, Kara developed a localised reaction to a cannula placed in the right forelimb, and following discharge she experienced residual lameness that gradually resolved over approximately eight months. She was subsequently diagnosed with osteoarthritis affecting the left shoulder and left hip, considered secondary to the septic episode.

Kara remains an active competitor in heelwork to music and freestyle and qualified for Crufts following the Semi-Finals. She was first assessed by practitioner Victoria Rhodes while preparing for her competition routines with her handler, Helen. One routine required a sharp left turn, with Kara’s feet remaining stationary while her head rotated close to 180 degrees and held in time with the music.

At that stage, Kara was able to initiate the movement but could no longer comfortably sustain the required degree of cervical rotation. Clinical assessment identified marked restriction throughout the cervical spine, with reduced mobility contributing directly to her difficulty maintaining the position.

The McTimoney technique is a form of non-invasive chiropractic manipulation that balances an animal’s musculoskeletal system to optimise the alignment of joints throughout the whole body, making it an ideal choice of treatment for animals suffering from back, neck, pelvic, and musculoskeletal problems. With particular focus on the spine and pelvis, the technique helps both to restore and maintain health, soundness, and performance. All members of the McTimoney Animal Association are fully insured and work closely with veterinary surgeons to ensure safe, appropriate, and effective treatment in every case.

Vic Rhodes said: “Helen feels that this may be Kara’s final season of competition, as she now requires increasing levels of maintenance to remain comfortable.” Kara continues to train regularly with good intensity, typically working four to five times per week. Although the workload is not high mileage, it is consistent and physically demanding. Early arthritic changes, particularly affecting the left forelimb, are becoming more apparent and are being carefully managed. The focus has therefore shifted from maximising performance to maintaining comfort, enjoyment, and overall welfare.

Helen has expressed that each competitive year since Kara’s septic episode has felt like a significant achievement, given the severity of her illness, and the priority now is to appreciate Kara’s exceptional career while supporting her ongoing quality of life.

As Kara enters the later stages of her competitive career, the priority is no longer defined by results, but by her comfort and enthusiasm for the work she clearly still enjoys. Each appearance is approached as a celebration of her resilience, her partnership with Helen, and the care that supports her ongoing quality of life.

About the practitioner: Victoria Rhodes works with both equine and canine clients, specialising in chiropractic treatment and massage therapy. She is a member of the McTimoney Animal Association and the International Association of Animal Therapists and is a full member of the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP).

Victoria Rhodes Equine & Canine Massage Therapist | Equine Massage Derbyshire