After her adoption in NYC (photo by Sophie Gamand). 
Frida has worn some form of cone intermittently for about one year now. She’s incredibly comfortable in them and wears them like the average pup wears a collar.


Frida fell asleep post-bath while being loved on by dad!


 

At some point in Frida’s first two years of life, she lost the use of her hind legs. It’s believed that her owners didn’t have the resources to see a veterinarian, so she was surrendered to rescue in hopes she would receive the care she needed. Sophie Gamand, renowned photographer and animal advocate, met Frida in Mexico at Riviera Rescue, fell in love, and networked with Animal Haven in Manhattan to bring Frida to New York for a better chance at adoption. Matteo at Riviera Rescue, as well as the staff at Coco’s Animal Welfare, prepared Frida for her trip and provided her with the love and care necessary for a successful transport to the United States. We are forever grateful to Matteo and Coco’s for caring for Frida in Mexico and getting our girl to us! Once in New York City, Frida visited Water for Dogs for rehabilitation, and she later received her very special pink wheels! 

My husband, Daniel, and I fell in love with Frida’s story on Sophie’s Instagram (www.instagram.com/sophiegamand) and followed her journey closely. We had just purchased our very first house and were hoping to come upon an adoptable pup who may need a home. After applications and a FaceTime interview with Sophie, Frida’s now foster mom, we were approved to adopt Miss Frida! Daniel and I drove to New York to finally bring our happy girl home. 

By mid-April 2018, Frida was an official Ohioan and began settling into her new life. In August, we had noticed a few lesions on the bridge of Frida’s nose; we initially assumed these were a result of her scratching her face with her front paws. We decided to schedule an appointment at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine to see both neurology and dermatology. Neurology confirmed that Frida had IVDD (stage three to four: sensation in her hind legs, but due to contractor, no use or rehabilitation of these limbs). We worked with OSU dermatology to pinpoint the cause of Frida’s skin issues. During the first six months, we would drive the four hour round trip to Columbus to see Frida’s specialists. During this time, Frida underwent several cultures, biopsies, x-rays, and even a three month long food trial. Initially, there was an infection present, which we treated with a topical antibiotic. Frida’s skin condition yo-yo’d from better to not-so-great over the months, with no definitive management or cure for the irritation. 

At the beginning of April 2019, Daniel, Frida, and I drove our dear friend, Loki (paralyzed pup) to a rescue in New York for his rehabilitation. We were so very excited to visit our good friends, Sophie, Sten, and MacLovin, the Animal Haven staff, and fellow Riviera Rescue alumni Fede and his mom! The skin on Frida’s face was beginning to look healed up and we were so excited to finally be on the right path medically. Shortly after our arrival home, Frida’s face began to break out and flare up once again. We were referred to a Cincinnati veterinary dermatologist and began further testing. In the past three months, Frida has undergone additional cultures of her skin and results show a very resistant staph infection. Frida started one of two antibiotics that her infection was susceptible to, but unfortunately had an adverse reaction two weeks in. Frida’s dermatologist switched her to the other antibiotic and she has been on that for about a month now. Frida’s face became further irritated, so a fungal culture was taken. Unfortunately, the culture grew quickly and Frida had a confirmed fungal infection, in addition to the secondary staph infection. Currently, she is on two antibiotics and a staph vaccination to manage, and hopefully eliminate, the two infections. Miss Frida gets a medicated bath and soothing blow dry every other evening. Daniel and I finally have a rhythm down to aid in managing Frida’s discomfort and allow her weakened immune system to fight these infections. We are continuing to work with the local veterinary dermatologist, as well as keeping constant contact with the amazing dermatology team at OSU, and a dermatologist friend in New Jersey. We are hopeful that with prolonged antibiotic treatment, as well as preventative management, Frida will soon be infection free. 

Frida visits a veterinarian, at minimum, once every two weeks for any combination of blood tests, cultures, medication adjustments, vaccinations, and check-ups. This has been a long, costly, and heartbreaking journey for our little family, but Frida is an incredibly resilient, content, and happy pup. Miss Frida’s tail has continued to wag, no matter her level of discomfort, and we will walk to the end of the earth for her. You can follow Frida’s progress on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/fabulousmissfrida 

A beautifully written story highlighting the love Frida has brought our family, written by our friends at Rover, can be seen here https://www.rover.com/blog/paralyzed-rescue-dog-brings-couple-together-in-adorable-marriage-proposal

We are so very appreciative of the love and support shown by Frida’s veterinary team, followers, friends, and rescue heroes. 

Chelsea, Daniel, Frida, and Roo