VET WARNS DOGS, CATS CAN BE AFFLICTED WITH TETANUS, JUST LIKE HUMANS

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – How many times did you hear your mom say, “Don’t walk around barefoot, because if you step on something, we will have to go to the hospital and get you a tetanus shot!”

Well, it turns out mom was right for us and our pets too.

Did you know dogs and cats can be afflicted with this super strong bacteria?

Three-year-old Oreo makes a weekly visit to the vet at Blue Pearl Pet Hospital in Fort Lauderdale.

Wearing her e-collar, equipped with a feeding tube and drooling constantly, this poor baby has been infected with tetanus.

“Tetanus is a bacteria — a bacteria that lives in the environment, lives in the soil, so it’s all around us everywhere, every day, and it enters the body through wounds,” Dr. Sagan Woolery explained.

In Oreo’s case, they think an eye infection moved into the muscles when the wound was not treated properly.

Tetanus bacteria affects the muscles and causes spasms. In this case, it is localized in the dog’s face and jaw.

Woolery has been treating Oreo for this very serious infection that is often misdiagnosed and frequently fatal.

“You start to see they will get a wrinkled forehead and they get what’s called a sardonic grin, so the lips are pulled back in this kind of creepy smile and they will get a lockjaw situation where they can’t open their mouth,” Woolery explained.

Tetanus treatment is extensive and expensive.

“We’ve had her since she was 2 weeks so Oreo is not a dog to us, she is our baby,” Nicole Biaz said. “We love her, we’re going to do what we have to do to make sure she is OK. No matter what happens, we’re going to make sure we find a way to give her the treatment she needs because we love her, that’s our little baby, she’s human to us!”

While euthanasia is a common choice due to the substantial cost and care for tetanus, Baez and her daughter, Mari-Cruz Masis have spent more than $15,000 trying to save Oreo’s life.

Even with weekly vet visits, the feeding tube, the dreaded cone, and just piles of medications, Oreo is actually having a pretty positive prognosis so far.

With anti-toxins, antibiotics and possibly more surgeries ahead, the fight against tetanus is far from over for this tough cookie.

“I don’t want to give up on her because I know she has a chance,” Masis said. “I know she does.”

Oreo is going to have an advanced paralytic procedure Wednesday. This should allow more of a relaxation to her face muscles and vets will also put in place a more permanent feeding tube. At this point, Oreo is still happy and active, but I will keep you updated!