Pet dog’s lick turns deadly: Woman loses both hands, legs, suffers multiple heart attacks in less than 24 hours
How did a normal weekend turn into a medical emergency?
Manjit Sangha fell ill in July 2025 after returning home from work feeling unwell. The next morning he was unconscious, his lips were turning purple, his hands and feet were cold and he was having trouble breathing.
Speaking to the BBC, her husband Kamaljit Sangha said: “Your mind is all over the place. ‘How can this happen in less than 24 hours?’ you think. “On Saturday he plays with the dog for a minute, on Sunday he goes to work, and on Monday night he’s in a coma.”
The woman was taken to the hospital and taken to the intensive care unit. During his treatment, doctors amputated both his legs below the knee and both hands due to the spread of the infection. He also had six heart attacks and had his spleen removed due to complications.
Doctors believe the infection may have started when your dog licked a small scratch, allowing bacteria from his saliva to enter his bloodstream.
Causes of Sepsis Dog: What caused the infection?
Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteria, commonly found in dogs, likely caused the infection. The bacteria are harmless to animals, but in rare cases can be dangerous to humans. It can lead to serious infections such as sepsis and, in extreme cases, death.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in which the body reacts to an infection. Instead of fighting the infection normally, the immune system begins to attack healthy tissues and organs. This leads to widespread inflammation throughout the body. In severe cases, sepsis can progress to septic shock, in which blood pressure drops sharply. This reduces blood flow to vital organs and can lead to organ failure and death if not treated quickly.
Common causes of sepsis
Bacterial infections are the most common trigger of sepsis. Fungal, viral and parasitic infections can also cause it.
Some common sources of infection include:
- Infections in the lungs and respiratory system
- Urinary tract infections, such as bladder or kidney infections
- Gastrointestinal infections, such as appendicitis or liver and gallbladder infections
- Brain or spinal cord infections
- skin infections
Sepsis dog infection symptoms
Sepsis can affect many parts of the body. Warning signs include:
- Colorless or red rash
- Small dark red spots on the skin
- Reduced urination or strong urge to urinate
- Low energy and fatigue
- fast heart rate
- Hypotension
- Fever or very low body temperature
- shivering or feeling cold
- rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- severe pain
Early treatment is important as the condition can worsen very quickly.
Life-threatening complications of sepsis
Sepsis can lead to many serious complications:
1. Septic shock
A sudden drop in blood pressure reduces blood flow to organs and can lead to multiple organ failure.
2. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Fluid accumulates in the lungs, making breathing difficult and often requiring ventilator support.
3. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Abnormal clotting in the body can block blood vessels and also cause serious bleeding.
4. Acute kidney injury
Reduced blood flow damages the kidneys and sometimes leads to long-term kidney problems or dialysis.
5. Post-sepsis syndrome (PSS)
Many survivors experience long-term problems such as fatigue, memory problems, muscle weakness and mental health changes.
Infections from pets are rare but possible, especially if bacteria enter through open wounds. Immediate medical care is crucial if symptoms such as fever, confusion, or difficulty breathing occur after an infection.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.)
