Latest news with #CaitlanAllin
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Brit woman, 83, dies after being LICKED by her granddaughter's dog – everything pet owners need to know
A WOMAN died from an infection caused by her granddaughter's dog licking a wound on her leg, a court has heard. June Baxter, 83, cut her leg while using a commode at her home on June 29. 2 The retired legal secretary living in Attleborough, Norfolk was alone when she injured herself so pressed her community call bell. This alerted her main carer, her granddaughter Caitlan Allin, who arrived with her dog. Shortly after, paramedics turned up at the house to treat the injury, an inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard. The following day, June told her granddaughter she felt sick, and on July 1 she was taken to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Despite being treated, her condition deteriorated, and she died from septic shock on July 7. Tests identified pasteurella multocida on June's leg - a bacteria commonly found in the mouths of domestic animals, the inquest heard. In a statement to the court, June's daughter, Clare Wootten said her 'independent and determined' mother had suffered from sepsis previously. She added there was a "possibility" the wound was licked by a dog, and added she "agreed with the cause of death". Caitlan said she "didn't see her dog lick June's injury", but acknowledged it was "a possibility" as her grandma enjoyed her pet's attention. June's medical cause of death was given as 'septic shock due to left leg cellulitis due to a domestic dog lick'. While death from a dog lick due to pasteurella multocida is rare, it's not unheard of. Pasteurellosis, the infection caused by the bacterium, is relatively uncommon, with around 600 laboratory-confirmed cases reported annually in England and Wales. Most cases are not severe and are easily treated with antibiotics. But in some instances, particularly in vulnerable individuals, pasteurella multocida has been known to lead to severe complications like bacteremia, meningitis, or endocarditis, with a significantly higher mortality rate. Previous cases include an 85-year-old woman with a pet dog who had pasteurella multocida and died with multiple organ failure after developing septic shock. In the case report, published in the journal BMC Geriatrics in 2023, it was highlighted her death was "important, given the growing cohort of elderly pet-owners seeking medical care". 2 Should you be worried about your dog licking you? Dr Andrew Conlan, an associate professor in epidemiology in the department of veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge, told The Times 'the risk posed for serious infection from bacteria that are not normally pathogenic [capable of causing disease] is incredibly low for most healthy people'. He added another bacteria to be more concerned about, carried by both humans and dogs, is staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus. Both bacterium can be present in dog saliva and trigger a variety of infections, ranging from mild skin infections to severe, life-threatening illnesses. But "most of the time these commensal bacteria will not cause any problems," Dr Conlan added. As to who is more likely to get infections from all these different types of bacteria, Dr Conlan said it's people whose immune systems are weakened by age or other infections who are most at risk. How to stay healthy around your dog TO minimise the risk of infections from your dog, practice good hygiene, ensure your dog is healthy, and take precautions when interacting with them. Hygiene Practices Wash your hands frequently: Always wash your hands with soap and water after touching your dog, their food, or their waste. This is crucial after cleaning up after your dog, even if you use bags or gloves. Clean pet areas: Regularly clean your dog's living area, including bedding and food/water bowls, to prevent the buildup of germs. Safe waste disposal: Use a bag or gloves when picking up dog waste and dispose of it properly. Avoid close contact: Don't let your dog lick your face or open wounds, and don't share food or utensils with your pet. Ensure your dog's health Regular vet checkups: Schedule regular checkups and vaccinations for your dog to keep them healthy and prevent the spread of diseases. Parasite prevention: Treat your dog for fleas, ticks, and worms regularly, as these can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Prompt treatment for illness: If your dog shows signs of illness, such as coughing or diarrhoea, take them to the vet promptly.
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Grandmother dies from sepsis after pet dog licked wound on her leg, inquest hears
A pensioner died from an infection caused when her granddaughter's affectionate dog licked a wound on her leg, an inquest has heard. June Baxter, 83, had used a personal alarm to summon help after a fall at her home last month. Her granddaughter, Caitlan Allin, rushed over with her pet, arriving shortly before paramedics turned up and dressed the wound. Mrs Baxter, a retired legal secretary, began to feel unwell the following day and was taken to hospital the following morning, where she died from septic shock a week later. Blood cultures showed she had pasteurella multocida in her system, an organism found in the mouth of dogs. Norfolk coroner Johanna Thompson recorded a conclusion of accidental death after Miss Allin said in a statement that she 'did not see her dog lick Mrs Baxter's injury' but accepted it was a 'possibility' as she enjoyed the pet's attention. The medical cause of death was given as 'septic shock due to left leg cellulitis due to a domestic dog lick'. A family member, who didn't want to be named, told the Mail the dog had belonged to Mrs Baxter for seven years before she became too frail to look after it and gave it to Miss Allin. They said: 'She was in palliative care for the last year of her life. She had about ten medical issues. 'She injured her leg. The dog didn't cause the injury or bite her or anything. 'We don't know if the dog had licked her leg a few days before [the fall] or anything.' However, research has shown that pasteurella multocida – which is the most common cause of infection in humans following bites or scratches from dogs and cats – cannot survive more than 24 hours in the open air at room temperature, suggesting the infection occurred on the day of the fall. The inquest, in Norwich, heard how Mrs Baxter, whose husband Ken died about five years ago after a long illness, fell while using a commode at her small detached bungalow on the outskirts of Attleborough on June 29. She pressed her community call bell, which alerted Miss Allin, who lives in the same market town and was her main carer. Miss Allin arrived with the dog at around 8.30am - just before paramedics entered and used tweezers to reposition the torn skin and dress the wound. Mrs Baxter started to feel sick on June 30 and was taken to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital the following day, where her condition deteriorated and she passed away on July 7. Secondary causes of death were given as kidney, liver and heart conditions. The widow's daughter, Clare Wootten, said in a statement to the inquest yesterday that her 'independent and determined' mother had survived sepsis previously. Clinicians at the hospital had explained to her that the 'infection was from the mouth of a dog' and she 'agreed with the cause of the death'. Mrs Baxter's family were not at the inquest but the coroner confirmed they had seen the evidence and were content for the hearing to take place in their absence. Neighbours in Mrs Baxter's quiet cul-de-sac told the Mail she had three dogs which were given to family members when she became too ill to look after them. One said: 'Her granddaughter came down with the dog most of the time. 'If it was the dog that licked her, it wasn't her granddaughter's fault. She had a fall and her granddaughter got called. Either way, it was an accident.' Ms Thompson concluded the inquest saying: 'Mrs Baxter was in frail health. On June 29, she was found to have injured her leg at home. 'On the following day, she reported feeling unwell. She was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where she was diagnosed with an infection which was subsequently identified to be arising from a domestic dog lick.' Pasteurella multocida was found in cholera-infected birds in 1878 but was only isolated two years later by Louis Pasteur – the French microbiologist renowned for his work in pasteurisation and vaccination – and subsequently named after him.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman died after lick from dog caused infection
A "very frail" but independent and "determined" woman died from an infection caused when a dog licked a wound on her leg, a court heard. June Baxter, 83, from Attleborough in Norfolk, cut her leg while using a commode at her home on 29 June. Mrs Baxter was alone when she injured herself, but when her granddaughter Caitlan Allin - her main carer - arrived, Ms Allin's dog licked the wound, Norfolk Coroner's Court was told. Tests showed a bacteria present on Mrs Baxter's leg that is commonly found in the mouths of domestic animals. On Tuesday, coroner Johanna Thompson recorded a conclusion of accidental death. None of Mrs Baxter's family were in court, and had not joined the hearing remotely, but the coroner said they had seen the evidence and were content for the inquest to be heard in their absence. Statements read in court described how paramedics used tweezers to reposition damaged skin, and dressed the wound. But the next day Mrs Baxter, a retired legal secretary, felt unwell and was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where tests were carried out. Results showed pasteurella multocida, an organism typically found in the mouths of dogs. The court was told that despite medical treatment, Mrs Baxter continued to display symptoms of sepsis, which caused her death on 7 July. Secondary causes of death included kidney, liver and heart conditions. Ms Thompson said: "Mrs Baxter was in frail health. On 29 June she was found to have injured her leg at her home. "On the following day she reported feeling unwell; she was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where she was diagnosed with an infection which was subsequently identified to be arising from a domestic dog lick." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. British woman dies from rabies after puppy scratch The eight hygiene hot spots in the home Related internet links Norfolk Coroner's Court
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Attleborough woman died of infection after dog licked wound
A "very frail" but independent and "determined" woman died from an infection caused when a dog licked a wound on her leg, a court Baxter, 83, from Attleborough in Norfolk, cut her leg while using a commode at her home on 29 Baxter was alone when she injured herself, but when her granddaughter Caitlan Allin - her main carer - arrived, Ms Allin's dog licked the wound, Norfolk Coroner's Court was showed a bacteria present on Mrs Baxter's leg that is commonly found in the mouths of domestic animals. On Tuesday, coroner Johanna Thompson recorded a conclusion of accidental death. None of Mrs Baxter's family were in court, and had not joined the hearing remotely, but the coroner said they had seen the evidence and were content for the inquest to be heard in their read in court described how paramedics used tweezers to reposition damaged skin, and dressed the the next day Mrs Baxter, a retired legal secretary, felt unwell and was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where tests were carried showed pasteurella multocida, an organism typically found in the mouths of court was told that despite medical treatment, Mrs Baxter continued to display symptoms of sepsis, which caused her death on 7 causes of death included kidney, liver and heart conditions. Ms Thompson said: "Mrs Baxter was in frail health. On 29 June she was found to have injured her leg at her home."On the following day she reported feeling unwell; she was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where she was diagnosed with an infection which was subsequently identified to be arising from a domestic dog lick." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
