Septic Shock from Chihuahua Bite

SimoneFlen' · #1 ● 07-26-2021, 09:50 AM

The unfortunate outcome of getting bitten by a chihuahua!

The patient got bitten in the thumb by a family dog- a chihuahua. A day later infection occured and progressed into septic shock, which resulted in organ failure and dry gangrene formation of fingers and toes on both hands and feet. Apparently he was immunocompromised due to the fact that a few years back he lost his spleen in a carcrash accident.

Septic shock is a potentially fatal medical condition that occurs when sepsis, which is organ injury or damage in response to infection, leads to dangerously low blood pressure and abnormalities in cellular metabolism.

The primary infection is most commonly caused by bacteria, but also may be by fungi, viruses or parasites. It may be located in any part of the body, but most commonly in the lungs, brain, urinary tract, skin or abdominal organs. It can cause multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (formerly known as multiple organ failure) and death.

Frequently, people with septic shock are cared for in intensive care units. It most commonly affects children, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly, as their immune systems cannot deal with infection as effectively as those of healthy adults.