Animal bites
An animal bite that breaks your skin exposes you to multiple bacteria, both from bacteria that may be on your skin and bacteria in the animal’s mouth. If the bite barely breaks the skin, you have a better chance of cleaning the wound well and preventing infection. But deep bites are puncture wounds, and bacteria can go in deep with these types of bites.
Dog bites are the most common ones related to pets, but cat bites cause 10% to 20% of animal bites in the U.S. At first, they may not appear to cause as much damage as dog bites, but their smaller teeth and deep punctures can make it hard to clean out a wound properly.
Many households, especially with children, have pets like guinea pigs and hamsters. These animals can also bite and cause infections.
Signs of an infected bite may include:
If an animal bites you, it’s essential to check with the owner to ensure that the vaccinations are up-to-date. If not, see your doctor and explain which vaccinations the dog did not have. If you don’t know the dog that bit you, this should be reported to animal control in your area.
All scratches, even human ones, can become infected. Signs of an infected scratch are similar to that of a bite.
Cat scratch disease is an illness literally caused by a cat’s scratch. The Bartonella henselae bacteria cause it. Although the infection can happen anytime throughout the year, it is more common in the fall and winter. If a cat scratches you, clean the wound well and watch for signs of infection. These include:
If you see any signs of infection, see your doctor as soon as possible to see if you need antibiotics.
If you have an animal bite or scratch, be sure to clean the wound thoroughly with warm running water. Keep the wound clean and dry until a scab forms to reduce the risk of infection.
If you suspect sepsis, call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital and tell your medical professional, “I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SEPSIS.
Would you like to share your story about sepsis or read about others who have had sepsis? Please visit Faces of Sepsis, where you will find hundreds of stories from survivors and tributes to those who died from sepsis.
‘Paper cut’ size scratch from family dog leaves father in an induced coma, battling deadly sepsis and forced to have his feet amputated – and he will now lose his legs too
A father developed deadly sepsis and ended up in an induced coma after his family dog playfully jumped up to greet him and scratched his arm.
Just hours later, Barry Wallace was rushed to A&E after his feet and part of his nose and ears began turning black after he was cut.
The 48-year-old lost both his feet and will now have to have his legs amputated in the New Year.
Sepsis can be triggered by an infection in any part of the body and can lead to multiple organ failure and death.
Barry said he thought nothing of the incident in August 2015 after Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harley left a centimetre long scratch – similar to a paper cut – on his right arm after he came through the door at his mother Wendys house.
He said: Harley had been Mums dog for five years. Hes really playful and was excited to see me, because I often took him for walks.
He jumped up and scratched my arm with his teeth. It was just a tiny scratch, the size of your fingernail. It drew blood, but it was so small that I didnt give it another thought. He was excited to see me and it was just like a paper cut.
Barry Wallace, from Nottingham, was rushed to A&E after developing a fever after his family dog left a tiny scratch of his arm
His feet and part of his nose and ears began turning black within hours of scratch, followed by a rash as the infection ravaged his body
Barrys devastated mother Wendy took her dog to the RSPCA to be rehomed
After spending a few hours with his retired mother, Barry, from Nottingham, East Midlands, returned to the home he shared with his cleaner girlfriend, Naomi Watt, where, later that evening, he began to shiver.
Naomi, 32, said: We thought hed eaten something dodgy, or had a stomach bug, so he went to bed.
But the next day he was getting worse and felt really ill. I was starting to panic that he wasnt right.
His face had gone a bit purple and he was in agony.
Barry, from Nottingham, East Midlands, is being cared for by his cleaner girlfriend Naomi
He woke from an induced coma to be told by doctors he needed his feet amputated
After calling 999 – 23 hours after being scratched by the dog – Barry was rushed to the citys Queens Medical Centre by ambulance.
Naomi added: His feet and part of his nose and ears were turning black, so he was taken to A&E and then onto the intensive care unit.
Doctors had no idea what was wrong with him. It was in no way a savage dog bite, so no one even envisioned it could have caused it.
By the next day, Barry had deteriorated and he was transferred to the intensive care unit at Nottingham City Hospital for specialist care because his kidneys had failed.
He was put in an induced coma, so his body had less work to do.
Now Barry must have his legs amputated in the New Year as he is still suffering complications
Barrys foot, shown the day before the operation, had turned completely black
I thought he was going to die. His legs had gone completely black and part of his arms, too, Naomi said.
Doctors told Barrys four adult children, from a previous relationship, that he had contracted capnocytophaga – a bacteria which lives in the mouths of dogs and cats and, in rare cases, spreads to humans through bites, scratches, or close contact, causing illness.
He also had sepsis, a life threatening condition when, in response to an infection, the body turns on its own tissues and organs.
Naomi, Barrys partner of 12 years, held a five-week vigil at his bedside, only to receive more devastating news – that he needed his feet and, at a later date, his legs amputated, because of the deadly blood poisoning.
She said: I was devastated. But seeing what a bad state Barrys feet were in, I knew there was no coming back from it.
Now I cant walk and its ruined everything, said Barry who is now raising funds for a scooter and wheelchair
Brought out of his coma after six weeks, to go under the knife, Barry was told by doctors of their plan.
WHAT IS THE BACTERIA IN DOGS’ SALIVA?
The organism Capnocytophaga Canimorsus is typically found in the saliva of cats and dogs.
It has the low ability to cause disease in healthy individuals but has been known to cause severe illness in people with pre-existing conditions.
Its transmission can occur through bites, licks or even close proximity to animals.
Symptoms usually appear within one to eight days of exposure, but mostly on the second day, and can range from flu-like symptoms to fulminent septicemia.
Infection can usually be treated effectively with antibiotics and is recommended for a minimum of three weeks.
The faster the infection is diagnosed the better the chance of survival, but death is rare.
Barry couldnt believe what had happened to him when he came around, Naomi said.
Discharged that November, following the double amputation, wheelchair-bound, Barry could no longer work.
In the meantime, Wendy, 62, devastated by what had happened, took her dog to the RSPCA to be rehomed.
Naomi added: I know it wasnt the dogs fault, but its one of those things thats happened that has changed everything.
It wasnt a savage bite, but its destroyed our lives and turned things upside down.
Barry is forced to crawl around his house as he awaits a final operation to amputate both his legs below the knee in January, after which he hopes to get prosthetics.
He said: Before this, I was working every day and had a proper life. Now I cant walk and its ruined everything.
If it wasnt for Naomi and my children, Id dead by now. They have been so supportive.
Naomi cares for me and I couldnt have done this without her.
You can donate towards Barrys scooter and wheelchair here.
Pet Bites – Information | Dog Bite or Scratch ( Break Skin ) Treatment, Prevention, BholaShola
Many people know about cat scratch fever, but can a dog scratch be just as dangerous? Although you are less likely to contract severe illness from a dog scratch, there is still a possibility of it happening. If you are scratched by a dog, here’s what you need to know.