A woman has issued a warning to anyone who kisses their dog after she tragically lost her limbs.
Back in 2019, Marie Trainer had just returned from holiday when she reunited with her German Shepherd dog - but it was a moment that went on to change Marie's life forever.
Although she didn't realise it at the time, Marie had a small cut on her hand. She didn't think much of it at the time, but days later, she began suffering from some severe symptoms.
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Speaking to Fox 8 Cleveland, Marie explained that over the course of four days, she was getting 'sicker and sicker'. Eventually, after initially thinking she was suffering from flu, her husband Matt rushed her to hospital.
After undergoing a series of tests, it turns out Marie had contracted capnocytophaga canimorsus, which is a serious and at times fatal bacteria found in the saliva of cats and dogs.
It's believed the saliva could have entered into Marie's body via the cut on her hand.
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The infection became so severe that Marie suffered blood clots which cut off circulation to her arms and legs.
Her family were then given the devastating news that to save her life, she would likely have to undergo partial amputation, and after being placed in an induced coma, Marie woke to find her limbs had been amputated.
While her legs were amputated above the knee, she was able to retain the majority of her arms, but sadly lost her hands.
In a GoFundMe set up to help Marie, her family explained the moment they discovered the bacteria had likely come from her dog.
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"We learned from the infectious disease specialists that this was a normal flora/normal bacteria native to all dogs and most cats mouths," they explained.
"It was just a random and rare occurrence that caused the perfect storm within her body resulting in the devastating illness.
"... Her life, our lives, everything as she and we knew it is forever changed.
"On May 18th Dr. Ericka Glass and Dr. Ajay Seth worked together to perform surgery to move forward with recovery. Marie spent the next several weeks in the SICU on antibiotics and blood thinners to keep more clots from forming and to continue to fight the infection.
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"In the days and weeks to come Marie will need many life modifications. We have all appreciated the thoughts, prayers, well wishes, and requests of how to help."
Five years on and Marie has since been fitted with prosthetic limbs.
“It’s been challenging,” she said. “Learning how to walk was the hardest thing, but I’m good, I’m doing good.
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“The first thing I did was hold Matt’s hand because I hadn’t done that in a while. I love him more and more every day. I don’t know what I would do without him.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Margaret Kobe has warned others about the dangerous bacteria.
"If you get bitten by a dog, you definitely need to go on antibiotics," she explained. "Wash your hands when playing with a dog, especially if you're playing with a toy and you get saliva, especially in an open cut."
You can donate to Marie's GoFundMe here.
Lucy Devine