A 53-year-old Perth, Australia woman has died from a dog bite after contracting a rare bacterial infection, Capnocytophaga canimorsus.
Tracy Ridout of Baldivis, West Australia, was playing with a friend’s German Shepherd when it accidentally bit her finger. At first, Ridout dismissed the bite as minor and nothing to worry about. She only sought medical attention a week later when over-the-counter painkillers didn’t relieve her pain.
Speaking to a news outlet, Tracy’s daughter, Sophie Ridout said “She didn’t think anything of it and just bandaged it up.” However, by the time Tracy arrived at Rockingham General Hospital on August 18, the bacteria had affected her kidneys, liver, and blood.
Her condition deteriorated after being transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital and placed in an induced coma. On August 25, her family was informed that her organs had shut down and nothing more could be done.
This event has led Sophie and her brother, Kieran, to emphasize the importance of seeking medical care even for minor dog bites. Sophie believes earlier medical intervention might have led to a different outcome for her mother.
Although Capnocytophaga canimorsus is commonly found in the mouths of cats and dogs, it rarely leads to serious conditions in humans.
Those with compromised immune systems or diabetes are at a heightened risk. Symptoms include blisters, redness, swelling near the wound, and fever.
