The Houston SPCA and the Houston Zoo teamed up to help Betsy Bear receive the necessary dental care she needed in order to live a full life. The five hour process included a dental cleaning, x-rays, two teeth extractions and fluids. While Betsy Bear was under anesthesia, Dr. Teri Schweiss of the Houston SPCA and the veterinary technicians from the Houston Zoo worked together to brush Betsy's undercoat and clip her nails. The dental work and grooming were both essential procedures to keep Besty as healthy and comfortable as possible.

The Houston Zoo staff will return to do another dental on Betsy in about a month as she may need a root canal and a few more teeth extractions. The enitre veterinary staff agrees that it is safer to put Betsy under anesthesia twice than for an extended period of time. The Houston SPCA is grateful to Associate Veterinarians Dr. Maryanne Tocidlowski and Dr. Lauren Howard of the Houston Zoo along with registered veterinary technicians Grant Furman and Kara Oavictoire for their expertise and donation of time to help Betsy Bear.

The Houston SPCA continues to work on finding Betsy Bear a permanent sanctuary which will be able to care specifically for her breed and advanced age.