What began as a loving moment between a pet and its owner turned into amedical nightmareforManjit Sangha, a 56‑year‑old woman from the United Kingdom. In July 2025, Manjit’s life dramatically changed after her pet dog apparently licked a small cut or scratch on her skin. Withindays, she developed a severe infection that progressed intosepsis— a life‑threatening condition in which the body’s immune response attacks its own organs.
Doctors believe bacteria commonly found in canine saliva — such asCapnocytophaga canimorsus— entered her bloodstream through the minor wound, triggering an overwhelming immune response. Over the course of weeks, Manjit’s condition deteriorated rapidly: she sufferedmultiple cardiac arrests, developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (abnormal clotting), and facedseptic shock, a severe complication of sepsis. To stop the infection from spreading further and save her life, medics were forced to amputateboth legs below the knee and both hands, and she also had herspleen removed. After a 32‑week hospital stay, she has now returned home.
Medical experts stress that such outcomes areextremely rare— most pet licks do not lead to severe disease — but this case highlights how easily bacteria can enter through even small breaks in the skin and trigger a dangerous infection. Sepsis can cause widespread inflammation, organ failure, and death if not treated quickly. Symptoms may include fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, difficulty breathing, and discoloured or cold extremities.
Health professionals advise pet owners toclean all wounds promptly, avoid letting animals lick open cuts or scratches, and seekimmediate medical attentionif there are signs of infection — especially if symptoms worsen rapidly. This case serves as a rare but stark reminder of how swiftly and severely bacterial infections can develop, even from seemingly innocuous contact.
