James L.

Hi. My husband, James (Jay for short) had spent years on an immunosuppressant medication for rheumatoid arthritis. We knew there was risk of infection, but he had always been fine. (Sepsis and Impaired Immune System) One morning in July 2019, he awoke extremely sick. It seemed like food poisoning so I sent him back to bed. But because of Covid I was taking his temperature just in case. Well his temperature spiked and he was in and out of consciousness.

I rushed him to the hospital where he was admitted in septic shock. He was in kidney failure and having trouble breathing. (Sepsis and Septic Shock, Sepsis and Kidney Failure) He was intubated and not expected to survive. I was devastated. But after six weeks in ICU, dialysis and multiple surgeries, he’s a miracle survivor! The bacteria was ultimately found to be Capnocytophagia. Caused by a dog lick. (Sepsis and Bacterial Infections)

It was a combination of a suppressed immune system and the bacteria from the dogs mouth. He had all but three fingers amputated at some length and lost all of his toes. (Sepsis and Amputations) He wears prosthetic insoles in his shoes. But he’s still here and really wants people to be aware of Capnocytophagia, as most people don’t realize their pets are a risk.

Source: Karen, spouse