Jennifer McQuiston is one of the nation’s leading experts on capnocytophaga, the bacteria at the center of recent news stories revealing amputations and deaths from these bacteria.
According to the CDC, 74% of dogs have capnocytophaga detected in their mouths
The bacteria are often found in dog and cat saliva “and on occasion, you can even find this bug in human saliva.” When capnocytophaga get beneath human skin, they find a rich environment of nutrients in our fatty and fibrous tissue. These nutrients allow the bacteria to multiply rapidly.
Source: USA Today, August 14, 2018. Link.
Infection is more likely to result from the bite of a dog than from a cat, Schaffner said. Dog bites are crushing injuries that carry a higher probability of damaging blood vessels. Humans most vulnerable to the bacteria include alcoholics, older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those lacking a spleen. The spleen acts as an effective filter for the blood and fights certain kinds of bacteria.
INSIGHTS: This falls in the “good to know” category. Share this with colleagues and customers to ensure animal health pros are aware and can provide support when human doctors are not aware of the risks. It is interesting that my doctor has never inquired about pets in the home or places I have gone.