From a Simple Dog Kiss to Shattered Limbs: One Woman's Unthinkable Battle with Sepsis and Her Inspiring Road to Reclaiming Life
In the quiet suburbs of Birmingham, England, what started as an ordinary weekend in July 2025 spiraled into a nightmare that no one could have foreseen. Manjit Sangha, a dedicated 56-year-old pharmacy worker, came home from her shift feeling a bit off—nothing more than fatigue, she thought. But within hours, her life hung by a thread, triggered by something as innocent and affectionate as a lick from her beloved family dog. This seemingly harmless gesture led to a vicious infection, sepsis, and ultimately, the amputation of all four limbs. Manjit's story isn't just a medical anomaly; it's a stark reminder of how fragile our bodies can be and how everyday interactions with our pets can turn deadly in the blink of an eye. Yet, amid the devastation, her unyielding spirit shines through, offering hope and a cautionary tale to pet owners everywhere.
Let's rewind to that fateful Sunday evening. Manjit had spent the day like any other, perhaps playing with her dog, enjoying the simple joys of home life. By Monday morning, her husband, Kam Sangha, 60, discovered her slumped on the couch, unresponsive. Her lips had turned an alarming shade of blue, and her extremities—hands and feet—felt like blocks of ice against his touch. Panic set in as Kam dialed for emergency services. "Your mind is all over the place," he later recounted in an emotional interview with the BBC. "You're thinking, ‘How can this happen in less than 24 hours?’ One minute on a Saturday, she's playing with the dog, Sunday she's gone to work, Monday night she's in a coma." The ambulance rushed her to New Cross Hospital, where the gravity of her condition became painfully clear.
Upon arrival, medical teams placed Manjit in the intensive care unit (ICU) and induced a coma to stabilize her. What followed was a grueling ordeal that tested the limits of human endurance. Over the coming days, her heart stopped not once, not twice, but six times—each cardiac arrest a brush with death that left her family in agonizing suspense. "She's so strong," Kam shared, his voice filled with awe and relief. "Every day was like, 'She's going to go today,' but she proved us wrong." Doctors diagnosed sepsis, a life-threatening response where the body's immune system overreacts to an infection, attacking its own tissues and organs. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, sepsis can escalate to septic shock, causing plummeting blood pressure and irreversible damage to vital organs like the lungs, kidneys, and liver. In Manjit's case, the culprit was believed to be bacteria from her dog's saliva entering her system through a minor cut or scratch— a rare but documented risk associated with Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a bacterium commonly found in dogs' mouths that can be harmless to pets but devastating to humans with compromised immune systems.
As the infection raged, complications mounted. Manjit developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a severe and uncommon disorder described by the National Institutes of Health as causing erratic blood clotting throughout the body. This led to blockages in blood flow, starving her limbs of oxygen and nutrients. Her family was given the heartbreaking prognosis: survival was unlikely, and if she pulled through, amputations might be necessary to halt the spread of tissue death. "Her chances of survival were slim," her loved ones later wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to aid her recovery. "We were told she had only days to live, and if she did survive, she might face multiple amputations." The surgical decisions were agonizing but life-saving. Surgeons removed both legs below the knees and both hands, procedures that preserved her core but forever altered her mobility and independence. Adding to the trauma, pneumonia set in, along with gallstones, necessitating the removal of her spleen—an organ crucial for fighting infections, leaving her even more vulnerable in the long term.
Manjit's hospital stay stretched into an exhaustive 32 weeks, a period marked by incremental victories and profound setbacks. She battled through rehabilitation sessions, learning to navigate a world without her limbs while grappling with the emotional toll. The physical pain was immense, but the psychological impact was equally crushing. Simple acts—brushing her teeth, holding a loved one's hand, or even standing to greet visitors—became distant memories. Yet, in the face of this adversity, Manjit's resolve never wavered. As she emerged from the coma and began her recovery, she focused on the future rather than dwelling on what was lost. "I want to get walking," she told the BBC with quiet determination. "I want to get my prosthetics to go back to work. I've sat down in my chair and my bed enough. It's time to walk now." Her words capture the essence of her fighter's mentality, a trait that her husband Kam echoes: "She’s the strongest person I know. Every time I thought I’d lost her, she came back fighting. Now it’s our turn to fight for her."
Discharged and back home, Manjit's journey is far from over. The transition to daily life without limbs requires extensive adaptations. Her family has rallied around her, launching a GoFundMe campaign to fund cutting-edge prosthetics—potentially including advanced robotic hands that could restore some dexterity through neural interfaces or myoelectric sensors. These aren't just tools; they're gateways to independence, allowing her to perform tasks like grasping objects or typing. The fundraiser also covers physical therapy to build strength and coordination, mental health support to address the grief and adjustment, and home modifications such as ramps, automated doors, and accessible bathrooms. "Understandably, Manjit is devastated," her family shared on the page. "She is mourning the life she had before—where simple tasks like picking up a glass of water were effortless. We are committed to helping Manjit rebuild her life." As of now, the campaign serves as a beacon of community support, drawing donations from strangers moved by her story and highlighting the broader need for awareness about sepsis and pet-related infections.
Delving deeper into the science behind this tragedy, sepsis affects millions worldwide each year, with the World Health Organization estimating over 49 million cases annually, leading to 11 million deaths. In the UK alone, the UK Sepsis Trust reports around 245,000 cases yearly, with a mortality rate hovering at 20%. What makes Manjit's case particularly chilling is its origin: a dog's lick. While most pet owners never face such risks, certain bacteria like Capnocytophaga thrive in canine saliva and can infect humans through open wounds. Risk factors include weakened immune systems—perhaps from age, stress, or underlying conditions—but even healthy individuals aren't immune. Medical literature, including studies in the New England Journal of Medicine, documents similar cases where routine pet interactions led to rapid-onset sepsis, often requiring amputations to prevent systemic failure. Prevention is key: washing hands after pet contact, avoiding licks on open cuts, and seeking prompt medical attention for unexplained symptoms can make all the difference.
Manjit's experience underscores a universal truth: vulnerability lurks in the mundane. Pets bring immeasurable joy—unconditional love, companionship, and stress relief—but they also carry microbes that our bodies aren't always equipped to handle. Her warning resonates deeply: "It could happen to anybody. It's difficult to explain the experience. Losing your limbs and your hands in a short time period is a very big thing. It's very serious and not to be taken lightly." By sharing her ordeal, she's not seeking pity but empowerment for others. Imagine the ripple effect—if her story prompts just one person to treat a suspicious symptom seriously, it could save a life.
As Manjit embarks on this new chapter, her optimism is infectious. She's eyeing a return to work, perhaps in a modified role at the pharmacy where her knowledge of medications could still shine. Physical therapy sessions will focus on prosthetic training, building muscle memory for walking and grasping. Mental health counseling will help process the trauma, turning grief into growth. Her family, led by Kam, remains her rock, coordinating care and advocating for better sepsis education in schools and communities. In a world quick to sensationalize tragedies, Manjit's narrative stands out for its raw humanity and hope. It's a testament to medical advancements that saved her, the unbreakable bond of family, and the inner strength that defies odds.
In the end, this isn't just a story of loss; it's one of rebirth. From the ashes of a devastating infection rises a woman determined to walk tall—literally and figuratively. Manjit Sangha's journey reminds us to cherish our health, heed our bodies' warnings, and never underestimate the power of resilience. If her tale teaches us anything, it's that life can change in an instant, but with courage and support, we can change it back. For those inspired to help, her GoFundMe awaits, a small way to contribute to a remarkable comeback.
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