Dog bite can cause septic shock

In the past two years, two internists from the Meander Medical Center (Meander MC) have lost two patients to septic shock after a dog bite. A third ended up in intensive care and lost several toes, but survived. Internist-intensivist Laura van Haaften and internist in training Karlijn Rutten warn people about the fatal consequences of a dog bite. This is reported by the Meander MC.

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One of the causes of death after a dog bite is an infection with the bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsis. This bacterium is found in the mouths of about 20% of dogs. No or late treatment with a bite from such a dog can have fatal consequences for humans, who can become very ill in a short time.

Sepsis

The incubation period is between one and six days, but because the bacteria is difficult to culture, contamination is difficult to demonstrate. That is why it is very important that a diagnosis is made in time. “People who come to the doctor or to our emergency department do not always say that they have been bitten by a dog. Sometimes they have only a small injury to the bite, so that the link with the infection is not made. There are also not always signs of infection at the site of the bite,” explains Van Haaften. But that doesn’t mean someone isn’t infected. And such an infection can lead to sepsis: an inflammatory response of the body to an infection that is so severe that tissues are damaged and organ functions fail. That is why a quick diagnosis is very important and antibiotics should be started as soon as possible. The bacterium is very sensitive to that, says Van Haaften.

Awareness

The risk of serious complications from infection with the bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsis is especially high for people with immune disorders or those taking anti-inflammatory drugs. The advice of the intensivists is to always make an appointment with the doctor after a dog bite, so that he can prescribe antibiotics.

By: National Care Guide

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