Splenectomized individuals with animals

Capnocytophaga canimorsus
This a little bacteria that lives in dog (and rarely cat) saliva that gets filtered out of circulation via the spleen when we get bitten by are favorite furry friends. While the VAST majority of dog and cat owners will probably NEVER be bitten hard enough to break skin and innoculate saliva into our blood stream for those of you with splenectomies beware. This is a very bad bug that will cause sepsis and DIC (severe bacterial load in the bloodstream and shock) and possibly death within 24 hours without treatment. The treatment is typically a nice,gentle 4 quadrant antibiotic such as Amoxicillin/Clavulonic acid although for those of you allergic to Penicillins or Beta-lactams there are other options. If you get bit really badly, do not hesitate to go see your doctor for treatment and wound care ASAP! For some reason, all hematologists I have visited have never even HEARD of my favorite bacteria (keep your friends close and bacterial enemies closer). As a veterinarian who is fighting to keep her spleen, I find it somewhat frustrating to be brushed off about little Capy. Be informed, be your own advocate.

Also, this post is in NO WAY meant to deter splenectomized individuals from the uncoditional love and support of a dog, cat, gecko, jack-a-lope, etc. It's only meant to help inform owners of the risks and how to better protect yourself. When I finally lose the battle and have to say goodbye to my spleen, I will still have my furry critters around me and will still make a VERY careful effort to be the same ole vet I always was. At least I will lose a little weight on the steroids!

Thank you for this info! There are a lot of pet lovers on this board. What about those of us on immune suppressants but with spleens, should we also attend more carefully to pet bites?
Erica

Yes scary. This link talks of it being particularly seen in immunocompromised individuals so presumably those on immunosuppressants too.

pdsa.org/forum/6-general-itp-discussion/26719-splenectomized-individuals-with-animals.html

There was a woman in the news recently in the UK who got septicaemia from a dog bite. They didn't say the particular bacteria but I imagine it was this. The story was that the dog had dragged her out of her burning house in 2009 saving her life and then the dog bit her in 2012 killing her.

I'm glad you posted this. I was aware of it, but since I tend to be the Grim Reaper around here I have not really mentioned this. People do need to be aware of this and take it seriously.

The most significant factor is not having a spleen. Very immunocompromised people are at risk, but we are not talking immunocompromisation from prednisone or dexamethasone. I asked my 2 ITP docs if immunocompromisation from Rituxin was a significant factor but neither docs that are treating me have heard of this bacteria and t/f can't tell me! Ironically, I had a long discussion with my doctor today about it after I wrote this post (my weekly check and N-plate injection was today). Sadly, my platelets are lower and splenectomy is looking more and more realistic. She claims to have talked to an infectious disease specialist who has ALSO never heard of it (although she kept calling it a virus) and literally stated that it must not be that serious. As a veterinarian I would NEVER treat my humans this way (my dog or cat patients wouldn't care if you spoke gibberish as long as there was a treat)! Just be aware and take care of yourselves. Also- the mauled by dog woman- it is highly unlikely that it was Capy- any severe enough mauling will open a regular ole person up for significant sepsis, typically a Staph strain due to tissue loss, very unclean wound (they do like to drink out of toilets and eat dead things), and the trauma and shock associated with it. But obviously, if you get mauled by a dog, go to a doctor.

I could also add that splenectomized individuals have also become septic from gardening. There are bacteria in dirt that, if they get into a wound, can cause serious sepsis. Gardening gloves and protecting the skin is important.

JJB - I guess that tells one a lot about an infectious disease doctor "...talked to an infectious disease specialist who has ALSO never heard of it..." From the couple of people I know who have had to see one I wasn't too impressed with an infectious disease doctor.

Sandi anyone can get tetanus from gardening, not just those without a spleen.
www.cdc.gov/family/gardening/
"Tetanus lives in the soil and enters the body through breaks in the skin. Because gardeners use sharp tools, dig in the dirt, and handle plants with sharp points, they are particularly prone to tetanus infections."

And there are other illnesses one can get from gardening, didn't feel like looking for those though.

Erica any animal bite should be taken seriously whether one has a spleen or not!

JJBDVM10 wrote: Also- the mauled by dog woman- it is highly unlikely that it was Capy- any severe enough mauling will open a regular ole person up for significant sepsis, typically a Staph strain due to tissue loss, very unclean wound (they do like to drink out of toilets and eat dead things), and the trauma and shock associated with it. But obviously, if you get mauled by a dog, go to a doctor.

Of course, she could have had anything but the thing that struck me was that she wasn't 'mauled', she got a small bite, cleaned it up herself and thought it was fine.

As for your having a splenectomy. If nothing else works what makes them think that that will?

No, I wasn't talking about tetanus. I was talking about bacteremia. Anyone can become septic, but those with no spleen or those who are immunocompromised are at greater risk and the sepsis can be deadly within 24 hours. It moves fast.

Oh Ann, who knows? My doctor has really good bedside manner which is the only reason I let her poke and prod me like she does. I'm the only case she can't get the platelets to stay up on. Ironically, if I was a dog euthanasia might have been considered by now. Definitely puts my job in a different perspective! I had a pup come in with Evan's Syndrome the other day- this is an autoimmune disorder with low platelets and low red blood cells. My other doctors were all panicking because the platelets were around 50,000. I was like, "eh!" Little punk is doing great on Prednisone... lucky pup.

I know Sandi - I just mentioned tetanus because most think you only get it from a rusty nail - I did mention in my post there were others but I didn't feel like looking for them [still don't].

I'm well aware of sepsis - my stepmother had it & survived thank heaven, she was on prednisone - and we had an ITPer here who died from sepsis while on vacation in Hawaii.

I remember the Hawaii incident. I was going to mention that, bit I still feel so bad about the whole thing. That was a very bad day. I hope Ron is doing well.

What I try to remember is they were away for the first time in ages, and they had a wonderful time together. I too hope Ron is doing well and good things going his way!

Thanks DVM, I also work with animals. I'm an office manager of a Vet clinic in GA, but do everything in the clinic from helping with surgery and holding. My vet already is very aware of my ITP and will not put in situations that could hurt me or make me bleed. My doctor has talked about taken my spleen out, I'm just glad that u posted the information just in-case he does take my spleen out.

Maybe think about it not as your doctor taking your spleen out but you deciding to have your spleen removed. Then you can hire the doctor to do the work, like a plumber.
Erica

It can happen even if you do still have your spleen. It can happen to anyone with suppressed immune system.


www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/31/hannah-rinehart-georgia-w_n_1724646.html

Oh Man...Now i really feel good about trev going out with his four dogs and few thousand sheep on the farm everyday...he actually had a hydatid cyst removed 20 years ago..i thought that was as bad as it got..so glad i popped back onto this site after 2 hip replacements from pred...lol...not really...it is good to keep informed of all the things that MAY crop up..