WI man's limbs amputated after dog lick leads to severe blood infection

Blood tests revealed an infection caused by the bacteria, capnocytophaga, causing his blood pressure to drop and the circulation in his limbs to decrease rapidly.

Dawn Manteufel said doctors told them her husband's case is not common but more like a "crazy fluke". "Looked like somebody beat him up with a baseball bat", Dawn Manteufel said. Doctors confirmed he contracted Capnocytophaga Canimorsus. Up to 74 percent of dogs and 57 percent of cats are carrying the bacteria in their mouths. And the most likely source of the devastating infection was his own dog.

But it became clear the problem was worse, with surgeons eventually removing both Manteufel's legs below the knee.

According to a yarn from Fox News reporter Kasey Chronis, his devastating loss could have been caused by something as simple as being licked by his dog. Severe infections can be fatal within 72 hours after symptoms appear. They can range from flu-like symptoms to sepsis. Antibiotics are needed to treat a Capnocytophaga infection and should be started as soon as possible to prevent further complications.

Long-term effects can include amputation, heart attack, and kidney failure.

The faster the infection is diagnosed the better the chance of survival.

In the study, 26 percent of the total number of patients died as the result of the infection. However, there have only been about 500 cases logged in the US and Canada since 1976 of the bacteria causing sepsis when no dog bite was found.

The bacteria more often impacts people with a weakened immune system.

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Then, three weeks after he was first admitted, both of Greg's hands up to his mid palms were amputated.

After discovering the Manteufels have a pet dog named Ellie, the medical staff told Dawn that her husband likely was infected after being licked.

It is now unclear where the dog is.

"This type of bacteria comes from the saliva of dogs", Dr. Dilvia Munoz-Price, and infectious disease specialist, said. While the infection had been seen before in people who'd been bitten by dogs, the doctors noted it was highly unusual that this woman apparently contracted it from her dog who had licked her.

"It took a week and they were taking his legs", Dawn Manteufel said.

"He just kept saying, 'Take what you need, but keep me alive, ' and they did". And they did it.

The GoFundMe for Manteufel has already surpassed the fundraising goal of $25,000.