Dog lover, 31-weeks-pregnant Katy Innes recovering from brain bleed in hospital

Katy Innes collapsed at a dog show in May and has been fighting in hospital to recover from a devastating brain bleed ever since – not just for herself, but for her unborn baby girl. HOW TO HELP >>

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Katy Innes collapsed at a dog show in May and has been fighting in hospital to recover from a devastating brain bleed ever since – not just for herself, but for her unborn baby girl.

Yanina Smith feared the worst for her “vibrant, beautiful” 25-year-old daughter when she dropped to the ground on May 8 at Westbury.

Ms Innes was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital and entered an induced coma, while Ms Smith and her family were told the outlook could be “grim” after a subarachnoid haemorrhage diagnosis, caused by an arteriovenous fistula.

“She was very slow coming out of the coma,” Ms Smith said.

Katy Innes and her mother Yanina Smith with Katy's dog Vinnie. Katy, 25, is recovering from a brain bleed in hospital. She is 31 weeks pregnant and has made progress, but has a huge road ahead. Source: SUPPLIED.

“By the third week she was starting to respond to stimuli. We thought ‘it might not get any better than this’.”

But seven weeks later the veterinarian nurse has continued her hospital recovery, with a long road of speech therapy and intense physical rehabilitation ahead.

“She’s 100 per cent mentally fine, the challenge is going to be able to walk out of there with her bub when she arrives in eight weeks,” Ms Smith said.

“It’s bad enough just thinking about recovering without carrying a baby but then being pregnant it’s hard to get comfortable and (regain strength).”

Katy Innes and her mother Yanina Smith on Katy's wedding day. Katy, 25, is recovering from a brain bleed in hospital. She is 31 weeks pregnant and has made progress, but has a huge road ahead. Source: SUPPLIED.

Ms Innes lives in Carlton with her husband, two-year-old son and three pet dogs.

Ms Smith has committed to bringing one of Ms Innes’ beloved dogs into hospital for a visit every week.

“She ’s really so well known and very popular among the dog world here in Tassie, and known over on the mainland too,” Ms Smith said.

“If someone needs something at these dog shows she’s always there to help. She’s a beautiful, vibrant, happy person.”

Katy Innes and her pet dog Charlotte in hospital. Katy, 25, is recovering from a brain bleed at the RHH. She is 31 weeks pregnant and has made progress, but has a huge road ahead. Source: SUPPLIED.

Ms Innes has had an outpouring of support since the incident, with hundreds of people from the local and even international dog show community donating to her GoFundMe page, and creating a special monster raffle and virtual dog show fundraiser to support her.

“I’m just so overwhelmed with so much support everywhere,” Ms Smith said.

“She’s going to have ongoing issues for the rest of her life, there’s no doubt about that. I get lost when people are so generous.”

The GoFundMe page “Help Katy During her Recovery” has raised $14,805 of the $25,000 target. To donate visit gofundme.com

To enter the Monster Raffle visit facebook.com/groups/604083700530935

Those registered with the Australian National Kennel Council can join the list of 2,500 virtual dog show entrants via showmanager.com.au/event/29447