A 52-year-old woman’s simple show of affection from her dog likely caused a bad infection to enter her body through a very small cut. Within hours, this infection turned into sepsis, which caused many heart attacks, and eventually led to the removal of both her hands and both legs from below the knee. Although she amazingly lived, her experience is a very important message for the public: sepsis happens quickly, and acting quickly is what keeps people alive.
A weekend that turned life-altering
Manjit Sangha came home from work one July evening not feeling well, and went to lie down. By the next morning, she couldn’t wouldn’t respond, her lips were turning purple, her hands and feet were very cold, and she was having a lot of trouble with each breath.
She was immediately taken to the intensive care unit and doctors said she had very severe sepsis and septic shock. In the next few weeks she had six heart attacks, and one complication after another, including pneumonia and problems with her blood clotting (called disseminated intravascular coagulation).
The doctors believe that bacteria got into her through a little cut or scratch that her dog had licked. This infection quickly destroyed the tissues in her arms and legs. To save her life, the surgeons had to remove both legs below the knee and both hands. They also took out her spleen during her treatment.
After being in the hospital for 32 weeks, Manjit went home to start getting better. She says she is determined to walk and go back to work. Her story, shared by her family and friends using a page where they are collecting money for her, has helped more people learn about sepsis and how essential it is to get treatment quickly.
What sepsis is and why it is so dangerous
Sepsis is what happens when your body overreacts to an infection. Instead of just attacking the germs that have invaded, the immune system sends out a huge number of signals that cause swelling in the body’s tissues, interrupt blood circulation, and damage organs.
When blood pressure falls drastically and oxygen can’t get to the body’s essential organs, sepsis turns into septic shock. At this stage, the chances of dying go up a lot. Even people who do survive can have long-term problems with their heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
All over the world, sepsis is still one of the biggest reasons people die from infection. According to information from 2020, there were 48.9 million cases and 11 million deaths from sepsis around the world in a single year – that’s almost one out of every five deaths! Almost half of these cases were in children under the age of five.
Sepsis isn’t one specific illness and it’s not unusual. It is the final outcome of many different infections, from pneumonia and urinary tract infections, to infections in the abdomen, in the blood, and in wounds.
Early symptoms to watch and when to act
Sepsis usually starts with not very clear symptoms. Because of this, many people wait to see if they feel better, and this delay can be fatal. Get medical help immediately if you notice these things, especially after you’ve had an infection or an injury:
fever or feeling very cold, with shaking or chills, being confused, suddenly very upset, or unusually sleepy, a quickened pulse or fast, shallow breathing, skin that is pale, splotchy, or has changed color, and/or sweaty and clammy, severe pain or a strong feeling that something is seriously wrong.
As sepsis gets worse, people might feel faint, have trouble staying awake, or not be able to stand up. They might not pee as much. Their blood pressure can go down. In children, signs to look for are fast breathing, skin with a mottled appearance, being very inactive, and refusing to eat.
Don’t wait for all the symptoms to show up. If you think someone might have sepsis, every minute counts. Getting antibiotics, fluids, and other supportive care early on greatly increases the chances of surviving. If you are unsure about something, and are worried about sepsis, go to the emergency room and say you’re concerned about sepsis.
Can a dog lick really cause sepsis? Understanding the risk
It’s possible to get sick from a dog or cat’s germs, but it doesn’t doesn’t happen very often. Dogs and cats have lots of different kinds of bacteria in their mouths. A lick on healthy skin isn’t likely to cause a problem.
But the chance of getting sick increases when their saliva gets into a bite, a scratch, or an open sore, and so gets into the tissues or your blood.
One germ that has been linked to very serious illness in people who have been around dogs is Capnocytophaga canimorsus. Many dogs, and some cats, carry it in their mouths. Very rarely, it gets into the bloodstream and causes sepsis (a life threatening condition), and this is more likely to happen to people with certain health issues.
Health departments show that not even one in a million people get a C. canimorsus infection each year. Only a small amount of the germ’s types, and a very small number of times being exposed to it, actually lead to a very bad illness. This rarity is important to remember considering how many people have pets.
Pasteurella multocida is another type of bacteria that can cause serious infections from bites or dirty wounds. Again, losing a limb because of these infections is extremely unusual, but it does happen, specifically if you don’t get treatment quickly, or your immune system isn’t working as it should.
Who is at the biggest risk? Older people, babies, and people with diabetes, cancer, long-term kidney or lung problems. Also those taking steroids or chemotherapy, and anyone whose immune system is weak. Not having a spleen is a big risk for a really bad infection.
Practical steps: wound care, pet safety, and prevention
People who love their pets don’t need to be scared, but they should have a plan. Being careful about cleaning and getting help quickly will lower the risk, and you won’t have to change the loving relationship you have with your animal.
Don’t allow your pets to lick open cuts, scabs or any broken skin. When you’re playing with animals, cover up your wounds.
If a pet does lick a wound, wash the spot immediately with soap and water, and then put a clean bandage on it.
If you are bitten, or have a deep scratch, wash it thoroughly and get a doctor’s opinion the very same day.
Keep an eye out for redness, swelling, heat, pus, a fever, or pain that gets worse. These could be signs of infection.
People with diabetes, a weakened immune system, or who have no spleen should get medical help as soon as possible for any bite from an animal, a deep scratch, or a wound that is worrying you.
Make sure your tetanus shot is current. Talk to a doctor about vaccines and antibiotics to prevent infection when that makes sense.
Keep your pet healthy by taking it to the vet for regular checkups. This won’t get rid of all the germs, but a healthy pet is part of being a responsible owner.
These suggestions aren’t about being afraid. They’re about doing everything you can to stay safe. Cleaning the wound quickly, watching for problems, and getting help when you need it stops a small injury from turning into a severe infection.
Life after sepsis: recovery, resilience, and support
Recovering from sepsis is often the start of a long process. Many people have post-sepsis syndrome, with tiredness, trouble remembering things, worry, being down, or ongoing pain. You will need physical therapy, mental health care and ongoing checkups.
Manjit is now working on moving around, being independent, and getting artificial limbs. Because she no longer has her spleen, she will have to be careful for the rest of her life. People who don’t have a spleen generally require certain immunizations, might need antibiotics to prevent infection, and need to act quickly when they show signs of infection.
Her family is raising money for the advanced artificial limbs and treatment she needs. They want everyone to know that you must take sepsis seriously, don’t delay when you have worrying symptoms, and get help at once.
Learning about sepsis can improve the outcome. Knowing that symptoms can get bad in just a few hours, that any infection can become very serious, and that a dog’s lick on broken skin has a small, but real, risk helps people to make quicker and safer choices.
This situation is unusual, but the lesson applies to everyone. Affection from a pet is generally safe. However, if you have a cut, a scratch, or your immune system isn’t working properly, a few simple steps and quick medical care can be the difference between getting better and a disaster.
