These types of bacterial infections include Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Clostridium, E. coli, Salmonella, Pasteurella, Leptospira, and Campylobacter. A smooch from your pup isn’t worth the sickness.
There is no need to be alarmed, according to McQuiston, despite recent reports linking two Wisconsinites’ deaths and serious injuries to bacteria found in dog saliva.
She is a leading national authority on capnocytophaga, the bacterium responsible for the tragedies.
McQuiston, deputy director of the Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stated, “I have two dogs and they play and lick my children every day and I am not concerned about capnocytophaga.” S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More crucial, according to McQuiston and other specialists, is identifying the signs of sepsis, a potentially fatal complication of an infection, and seeking immediate medical help.
And typically, capnocytophaga will respond to penicillin or another common antibiotic if it is identified early and the patient has no underlying medical conditions.
In June, the bacteria caused the amputation of a West Bend man’s hands and portions of his legs in addition to the death of a Milwaukee County woman. The same type of infection struck a 3-year-old Grant County boy in 2015, forcing him to have his fingers and toes amputated.
States have not made it mandatory to report such infections to the CDC, so the CDC does not keep track of the number of cases of illness from capnocytophaga, but the organization is confident that the bacterial illness is uncommon.
The CDC has confirmed nine cases since 2015. However, because labs across the nation are able to test and confirm the bacteria, not all samples are sent to the CDC, agency officials acknowledge they are unaware of the full extent of the problem.
For instance, the CDC was not informed of the two most recent cases in Wisconsin. The CDC contacted the Wisconsin Health Department after learning about them from media reports.
CDC officials can also determine the prevalence by examining the MicrobeNet database, which is used by hospitals and doctors to research rare bacteria. Twelve reports of capnocytophaga infections were received by MicrobeNet in the previous year, according to McQuiston.
The CDC reports that 36% of Americans and 74% of dogs have capnocytophaga in their mouths. S. population owns at least one dog.
“The sheer number of dogs, people, and canine interactions shows how unusual this is. Pets are a vital part of human life, according to her, The solution is not to get rid of your pet or put your dog to the test. ”.
Sharon and Daniel Larson were visiting with their son and daughter-in-law at their South Milwaukee home on a typical Tuesday evening. It was about 5. p. m. when their Shih Tzu puppy nipped Sharons finger. Just a nip. Nothing that seemed serious.
The following evening, Larson felt she was getting the flu. She began throwing up on Thursday morning.
When Sharon told her husband Daniel she wasn’t going to work that morning, Daniel reprimanded her to visit a doctor, but Sharon responded that she would sleep it off. He noticed his wife was pale around noon and that she didn’t appear to be feeling well, according to their son, Steven.
He drove her to Urgent Care at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Upon seeing Sharon Larson, medical professionals advised them to visit the emergency room. Her blood pressure was so low when they took her vitals that the doctors were shocked she was still alive, according to her son.
Doctors recognized the signs of sepsis and administered antibiotics immediately. The dog bite, the fact that Sharon had traveled to see her daughter in Colorado the week before, and the fact that she worked at a bank and frequently handled money were all mentioned by family as potential factors.
The cause of what appeared to be a serious infection was unknown to doctors. In addition to administering antibiotics, they also performed an emergency CT scan, ultrasounds, X-rays, and blood cultures. Larson continued to worsen.
By 1 a. m. Friday, Larson began showing signs of organ failure. She was given sedation, a breathing tube, and dialysis by medical personnel. Larsons condition became grave.
On Saturday, June 23, she died. Though they had a suspicion, doctors did not discover capnocytophaga as the cause of her death until after the fact.
“My mother had dogs her entire life and she was 58 years old.” She was fine up until the final four days of her life when they latched and nibbled on her, according to Steve Larson on Monday. ”.
They will remember their mother as a kind, sincere person who cherished her family, her pets, her job at the BMO Harris bank, and life itself, according to Steven Larson.
“She was a great person,” he said. “I am aware that nothing I can do will change; my mother won’t return.” But if telling this story can help another family hold onto a loved one, I’ll do that. “.
Because the bacteria is a part of their microbiome, or community of microbes, dogs and cats can tolerate it. Humans have their own, different communities of microbes.
Christopher W. said, “This organism has learned how to evade immune responses.” Olsen, a retired professor of public health at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
According to Olsen, the bacteria can enter the body undetected by the signaling system that normally alerts the body to foreign organisms and can evade white blood cells called macrophages.
Olsen emphasized that although most people think capnocytophaga enters the body through large bites or wounds, the bacteria can also enter the body through relatively small cuts or skin fissures.
Professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt University Medical Center William Schaffner said, “I dare say the average practicing doctor has never heard of this bacteria.” “Its not reportable. We, as doctors, just know it is pretty darned unusual. “.
According to Schaffner, the bacteria are frequently found in the saliva of dogs and cats, and on rare occasions, they can even be found in human saliva. “.
When the bacteria enter strange niches, that’s when they can cause trouble. Capnocytophaga finds a rich environment of nutrients in our fatty and fibrous tissue when it penetrates human skin. These nutrients allow the bacteria to multiply rapidly.
If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, the risk rises significantly. This may occur following a dog bite or any other wound with broken blood vessels. According to Schaffner, a dog bite is more likely to be to blame than a cat bite. Because dog bites are crushing injuries with a higher likelihood of causing blood vessel damage, this is the reason.
Alcoholics, elderly people, those with weakened immune systems, and those without spleens are the groups of people who are most susceptible to the bacteria in humans. The spleen functions as a blood filter and fights specific types of bacteria.
Alcoholics are more susceptible to the bacteria because their white blood cells are less effective at preventing infections.
Once the bacteria have entered the bloodstream, they start an inflammatory process that causes symptoms like a high fever and shock.
The bacteria can infect humans and cause redness, swelling, discharge, puffiness, and pain as early symptoms.
The infection Greg Manteufel of West Bend contracted in June is still being treated at Froedtert Hospital.
Manteufel’s case is unusual because he had never been bitten or scratched by a dog or cat and had none of the health issues that would have made him susceptible to infection.
His previous medical history, according to his wife Dawn, was limited to a sprained ankle and not much else.
According to doctors and his wife, Greg probably wouldn’t be alive today if he had been an alcoholic.
On the evening of June 25, he first experienced flu-like symptoms, including a fever and vomiting, which got worse the following day. Family members claim that by the evening of the 26th, he was delirious, speaking gibberish, and experiencing excruciating leg pain, but he insisted on lying back down rather than being taken to the hospital.
The following morning at 5:30, he arrived at the hospital and was already turning black and blue with blood vessels bursting all over his body.
Doctors immediately prescribed him antibiotics and initially inquired about his experience with ticks and spiders. For testing, they sent his blood samples out of state, and it took eight days before capnocytophaga was identified. He needs reconstructive surgery on his nose because sepsis caused him to lose some of each of his four limbs.
This week he is having his ninth surgery. Before beginning his rehabilitation and recovery in the coming weeks, he is anticipated to undergo at least 11 surgeries altogether.
The CDC reports that 36% of Americans and 74% of dogs have capnocytophaga in their mouths. S. population owns at least one dog.
More crucial, according to McQuiston and other specialists, is identifying the signs of sepsis, a potentially fatal complication of an infection, and seeking immediate medical help.
There is no need to be alarmed, according to McQuiston, despite recent reports linking two Wisconsinites’ deaths and serious injuries to bacteria found in dog saliva.
Manteufel’s case is unusual because he had never been bitten or scratched by a dog or cat and had none of the health issues that would have made him susceptible to infection.
“She was a great person,” he said. “I am aware that nothing I can do will change; my mother won’t return.” But if telling this story can help another family hold onto a loved one, I’ll do that. “.
03/7It’s not common but happens
What illnesses can be transmitted through dogs’ saliva?
Dogs are known for being fairly indiscriminate when it comes to the objects they lick, sniff, and consume. As a result, bacteria like E coli can easily settle in their mouths. coli, campylobacter, and salmonella. These microorganisms are easily transmissible from one species to another because they are zoonotic.
While there is a non-zero chance of gastrointestinal illness and oral diseases from puppy kisses, healthy adults will almost certainly survive being exposed to the viruses or bacteria in their dogs’ mouths.
Certain parasites like giardia, roundworms, and hookworms can also be transmitted through licks. These organisms can cause severe abdominal pain and digestive problems in dogs and humans.
The products on our skin may not be good for our dogs, just as the microorganisms in their mouths may not be good for us.
It’s best to be aware of what is on your skin before allowing your dog to lick you because some cosmetics, lotions, and topical medications may contain ingredients that are toxic to animals. Contact your veterinarian right away if you believe your dog has consumed something harmful.
FAQ
Can you get a disease from a dog licking you?
According to the CDC, capnocytophaga germs can spread through bites, scratches, or close contact with a dog or cat and result in illness. If a dog licks a cut or scratch on the skin, doctors do advise people to seek medical attention.
Can you get bacterial infection from a dog licking you?
The mouths of dogs and cats are home to a variety of bacteria (germs) known as Capnocytophaga. These germs do not make dogs or cats sick. Occasionally, Capnocytophaga germs can be transmitted to people through dog or cat bites, scratches, or close contact, and they may cause illnesses like sepsis.
Why you should not let your dog lick you?
Some bacteria in dogs’ mouths are zoonotic, which means that they can spread them to people and harm them. Some common zoonotic bacteria include clostridium, E. coli, salmonella, and campylobacter, which can result in serious gastrointestinal illness in people, according to Dr
What happens if you lick dogs saliva?
You can get hookworms and other parasites from dog saliva. The majority of intestinal parasites spread from feces to the mouth, and this process is made easier by mouth wounds. These parasites include Giardia, hookworms, and roundworms.