A 53-year old animal-loving granny from the UK lost her battle with a rare infection, which was caused after her dog licked her hand.
Sheena Kavanagh of Hilderstone, Staffordshire, died due to "splenectomy and dog saliva in bloodstream."
The grandmother apparently went into septic shock when her pet's saliva entered into her bloodstream via a small cut in her hand. She was rushed to Stafford Hospital for medical attention. The medics feared that Kavanagh had bacterial meningitis but the results of the tests were unclear.
Kavanagh was given antibiotics, however, her condition worsened and she passed away the following night at 9:42 pm post organ failure.
An affectionate lick from Kavanagh's Jack Russell or Yorkshire Terriers is believed to have caused the bacterial infection. Also, Kavanagh had her spleen removed in 1988, the organ which guards the human body against bacterial infections. Since she did not have a spleen, Kavanagh had taken ill in April this year after wrapping up work at a care home where she worked as a chef.
Kavanagh, a mother of two, was not aware that she was susceptible to contracting Capnocytophaga Canimorsus, which is an organism that exists in a dog's saliva, post her spleen removal. Even though Capnocytophaga Canimorsus has a low ability to result in diseases in individuals who are healthy, it is known to be responsible for serious ailments in individuals who are susceptible because of certain conditions.
The transmission of Capnocytophaga Canimorsus can occur either through licks, a bite or even nearness to animals. Within one to eight days of exposure, the symptoms usually appear but mostly on the second day itself. The symptoms can be akin to those of flu or even fulminent septicaemia. Resulting infections can be treated smoothly via administration of antibiotics, but a minimum period of three weeks is advisable. However, depending on how soon the infection is identified, the chances of survival improve drastically.
Since the death was unforeseen, doctors at Stafford Hospital were unable to lay a finger on the exact cause initially. At the investigation conducted by the Cannock Coroner's Court, Kavanagh's daughter Melissa told the court that her mum was prescribed penicillin until five years back, a standard practice post a splenectomy, to lessen the risk of her contracting the ailment. Moreover, the granny had also been on antibiotics which she was taking two times a week till she passed away.
"She had antibiotics [in hospital] which worked on the bacteria but unfortunately the damage was already done. Her blood was full of bacteria and organisms. Capnocytophaga canimorsus, an organism present in dog saliva, normally doesn't cause damage. But in people without a spleen it can cause death due to septic shock. But it is extremely rare," said Dr. Hiam Ali, a pathologist to the inquestors.
Dr. Ali also felt that the penicillin should have safeguarded Ms. Kavanagh against the bacterial infection, but was unsure why it did not.
