June Baxter, 83, died after she went into septic shock, an inquest heard – it was later revealed a wound of hers was licked by her granddaughter’s dog
A British woman died after a dog licked her wound causing it to become infected, an inquest heard.
June Baxter, 83, suffered a cut to her leg as she used a commode at her home on June 29. The ex-retired legal secretary lived in Attleborough, Norfolk, and was alone when she injured herself and pressed a community call bell.
This alerted her granddaughter Caitlan Allin, her main carer, who came with her dog. Shortly afterwards, paramedics arrived at the home and treated the injury. It comes after ‘UK’s most dangerous plant’ left a toddler in A&E with second-degree burns.
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June told her granddaughter she felt sick the next day and was taken to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on July 1. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, June died of septic shock on July 7.
Tests later identified pasteurella multocida on June’s leg, a bacteria that is typically found in animal’s mouths, an inquest heard. June’s daughter said in a statement to the court that her “independent and determined” mum suffered from sepsis previously.
She added there was a “possibility” the wound had been licked by a dog and said she “agreed with the cause of death”. Caitlan said she “didn’t see her dog lick June’s injury,” but said it was a “possibility” as her grandmother enjoyed the pet’s attention. June’s medical cause of death was given as “septic shock due to left leg cellulitis due to a domestic dog lick”.
Pasteurella multocida infection w
Deaths from a dog lick due to pasteurella multocida are rare but do happen. According to the UK government, human infections are typically contracted following exposure to domestic pets such as cats and dogs.
It added: “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.” All bites should be thoroughly cleaned and debrided as required.
University of Cambridge associate professor in epidemiology Dr Andrew Conlan 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 said other bacteria people need to be wary 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.
He added: “Most of the time these commensal bacteria will not cause any problems.”