UF veterinarians save dog stricken with tetanus infection

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Today a 6-month-old labradoodle from Tavares wrestles with her owners and runs like a normal puppy, but normal she will never be to anyone who watched her monthlong struggle in intensive care at the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital, where veterinarians fought to save her from a severe tetanus infection.

Mocha Delight, or Mocha, as her owners call her, had the most severe case of tetanus ever seen or treated by UF veterinarians. When she arrived at UF on Nov. 13, no one thought she would survive.

"No one here can remember ever being able to treat and save an animal so severely affected by this type of infection," said Dr. Alessio Vigani, a veterinary resident in emergency and critical care at UF. "When she arrived, she was in a constant state of tetany. All of her muscles displayed extreme rigidity and she was unable to eat. If you visualize a bearskin rug, that's what she looked like; she was completely flat. That she could pull through at all is nothing short of a miracle."

Tetanus is caused by a neurotoxin released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Spores of the bacterium can survive in the soil for years and in the body for months, usually entering through minor punctures or scratches. Once in the body, the toxin spreads, causing painful muscle spasms in the neck, arm, legs and stomach.

[brideygene]

Gives me hope for my sweetie who has just been diagnosed and on treatment - what a wonderful story to share. Thank you

[BruceBoschek]

Our 2-year old GSD has survived tetanus and is now completely recovered. It is a devilish disease and it took almost superhuman efforts to keep him alive. Thanks to a veterinarian who recognized the symptoms that no one else had figured out. My wife and I fed him 6 times a day (and night) for two weeks until he could finally eat again. We are grateful that he is healthy again.

[cakeisalie]

I can't imagine how much this cost for the owner

[djondjon]

I wonder how mush that treatment cost.

[christopherstaley]

I have a 7 year old German Shepard that I believe has the tetanus and I can't afford the 2000.00 dollars the emergency vet wants to charge to sedate him in order to diagnosis him and that to won't even touch the treatment. Any suggestions or resources that may help me as he is going downhill in a hurry his hind quarters are very rigid and now he has become very favorite blend to his right front leg he has lockjaw but is still eating and drinking. Please any feedback would be much appreciated he deserves the proper care it just the cost that will kill him. Thank you

[evientually]

We had a dog who passed because of this. I was young enough that it's odd I even remember the dog at all (Bear-Dog, big dopey half shepherd half St Bernard, I used to play in his dog house, which was roomy and full of pine straw) but my Mom gets really sad when she mentions him so it must have been quite hard.

[doodles]

Oh my! I never knew a doodle can get Oh, you poor mocha! Ted the doodle ( left pic) sends his love. & How do I prevent this from happening to my dog? I never knew such a thing could happen..

[bobbiehosfeld]

My 5mo old puppy is fighting tetanus as well. I was able to get the treatment including antitoxin, and he is doing great, however I have to do physical therapy at home. Any suggestions??