Dobermann Welfare: caring

The
Dobermann Welfare
Association

Caring Hands - Freyja

In Memory of Freyja: 27-5-97 to 22-11-97
Janeryl's 'Amazing Grace'

Freyja - Tetanus Killed my Puppy

When I became the proud owner of Freyja a few months ago, I was so happy, and very determined to train her for both ring craft and obedience.

I had never had a lot of luck with her father's health (Falco), but when Freyja came along I was convinced that she would be fit, strong and healthy, and she really was. I was so proud of her. She was very obedient, and with her mother's (Jodi) quiet nature and high intelligence, and Falco's strong bone and stunning Continental looks, she was truly amazing - my dream come true.

The past month, Falco developed a tumour on his chest. I prayed it would go away, but it didn't. It just grew and grew.

I took both dogs out to the woods and over some hills were they relished the freedom, and played happily together. I always muzzled Freyja so that she wouldn't bite Falco or eat anything that she shouldn't!

On 11 November 1997, Falco underwent surgery to remove the tumour. The operation went well, and when I brought him home Freyja was so happy to see him, but in his excitement he burst two of his stitches. I had two choices. I could have him re-stitched, or just be patient and let it heal by itself, although this would take a lot longer. I opted for the latter, as I didn't want Falco to have anaesthetic again. It meant that Falco couldn't go for a walk (the wound was in an awkward place), so baby Freyja had to be content with walks around the streets. I also had to keep them apart, which was upsetting as they loved each other so.

On Monday 17 November, Freyja was sick. We took no notice, and put it down to eating too much Eukanuba. She played happily with me all day, and then went for a stroll with my partner (Roy) in the evening. She seemed fine.

On Tuesday morning, I gave her some chicken breast as she didn't seem intersted in the Eukanuba. I noticed that while she ate, her left eye seemed more open than the other, and the top of her head was contorted. It looked as though she was frowning. I let her go back to her bed as she seemed very tired, and after I tended Falco's wound I took a bath. I felt very uneasy about Freyja.

That evening, I took her out for a walk. I met up with my friend and her pup, but Freyja made no fuss at all of her little puppy friend. I noticed that when we were walking, she seemd to have what I thought was a cough or something stuck in her throat. Every now and again, she would open her mouth as though she were catching flies. When I got her home, I forced her mouth open to see if something was stuck in her throat. There was nothing, but she shut her jaw so severly that I nearly lost my finger. The pain brought tears to my eyes, although she didn't break the skin.

On Wednesday 19 November, I rushed Freyja to the vets. My friend and I run all the red lights, and disregarded all the rules of the road. I justed wanted to get Freyja safely into the arms of a veterinary surgeon. When we got to the surgery, the vet came out to meet us and took Freyja from me. Once inside, he tried to sound his usual optomistic self, and suggested that he would give her some vallium to relax her. I said to him "She has lock-jaw hasn't she?" He said that he would have to run some tests first, and that I was to telephone later that day. This I did, and spoke to another veterinary surgeon who confirmed my worst fears. Freyja had tetanus. I was devastated, and I knew it was very serious.

They examined her body, but couldn't find any cuts at all. The only scratch she had was inside her ear, which was caused by another dog. It can't be passed from animal to animal.

The disease that she had was severe. The spasm of her facial muscles was what produced the characteristic grinning expression. Then she developed painful reflex spasms, then the arching of her back and neck muscles. Her breathing became impaired due to layngeal spasm, but although she couldn't move (she was rigid), her little eyes followed me as I gently tried to wipe away her tears.

Both veterinary surgeons battled and tried everything to save her life, and on 22 November, the vet gave her an anaethetic for a small incision in her neck for a feeding tube. Roy and I were allowed to see her shortly afterwards. When we saw her, she was sleeping with her mouth open, something she hadn't been able to do for almost a week. I knew though that as soon as she was awake, her jaw would close again. Even so, she looked so peaceful and beautiful. We arranged to return at 10.00pm that evening in order to spend some more time with her, but this was not to be.

Freyja died thirty minutes after we left the surgery. To say we are devastated is an understatement.

Tetanus is heard of in horses, never in cats, and rarely in dogs. We would have moved heaven and earth to relieve her suffering and restore her health. We are burdened by the difficult memory of the cruel way she died. We watched with deep love, but limited ability to comfort her. The innocent puppy who meant everything to us needed more than we could offer.

Falco has lost his little daughter. His friend and companion whom he guarded and protected with his life. We don't know how to comfort him as he is still unable to go on a walk.

We want everyone in the dog world to know what killed our six month old baby Freyja. The disease is out there, though you cannot see it. It crept up on our puppy, but from where remains a mystery. If there is a vaccine available for dogs, them why are our dogs not vaccinated against it?

We met as strangers
My new found friend
Now I wonder if we'll ever meet again
My love goes with you
To your journeys end

I'll always think of you
My new found friend

Goodnight my darling
Beautiful
Unique
Courageous
Classless Freyja
My amazing grace

From Mummy, Daddy, Sean, Wayne, and especially Falco - your Daddy

Submitted by K. Nash.

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