Everything pet owners need to know as woman dies after being licked by dog
An inquest has heard that a British woman tragically died after her wound was licked by a dog, leading to an infection.
June Baxter, 83, sustained a cut on her leg while using a commode at her home in Attleborough, Norfolk, on June 29. The retired legal secretary was alone when the incident occurred and promptly rang a community call bell for assistance.
Her granddaughter Caitlan Allin, who was also her primary carer, responded to the call with her dog. Shortly thereafter, paramedics arrived at the scene to treat the injury. This unfortunate event follows a recent incident where a toddler suffered second-degree burns from contact with 'UK's most dangerous plant'.
The following day, June informed her granddaughter that she felt unwell and was subsequently admitted to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on July 1. Despite the medical team's best efforts, June sadly passed away from septic shock on July 7, reports the Mirror.
Post-mortem tests revealed the presence of pasteurella multocida on June's leg, a bacteria commonly found in animal's mouths, as per the inquest. In a statement to the court, June's daughter described her mother as "independent and determined" and noted that she had previously battled sepsis.
She acknowledged the "possibility" that the wound could have been licked by a dog and concurred with the cause of death. Caitlan stated that she "didn't see her dog lick June's injury," but conceded it was a "possibility" given her grandmother's fondness for the pet.
The official cause of death was recorded as "septic shock due to left leg cellulitis due to a domestic dog lick".
Deaths from a dog lick due to pasteurella multocida are rare but do occur. According to the UK government, human infections are typically contracted following exposure to domestic pets such as cats and dogs.
It stated: "The most common manifestation of pasteurellosis in humans is a local wound infection, usually following an animal bite or scratch. This can develop into a serious soft tissue infection, and can also be complicated by abscesses, septic arthritis and osteomyelitis.
"Pasteurella spp can also cause meningitis, ocular infections, and respiratory infections, usually in patients with underlying pulmonary disease."
Dr Andrew Conlan, associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, told The Times: "The risk posed for serious infection from bacteria that are not normally pathogenic [capable of causing disease] is incredibly low for most healthy people."
He warned that other bacteria people need to be cautious of, which are carried by humans and dogs, are staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus. Both can be present in dog saliva and trigger a variety of infections, ranging from mild skin infections to life-threatening illnesses.
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