Mother Tracy Ridout from Perth is fighting for life with a rare infection after a small bite from a German Shepherd
A mother is fighting for her life in an induced coma after a dog bite gave her a rare bacterial infection.
Tracy Ridout, 53, was babysitting a friend’s German Shepherd earlier this month and tried to throw a toy when the dog playfully pinched her finger.
The mother, from Perth, was in excruciating pain days later and finally drove to Rockingham General Hospital on August 18, where she discovered she had an infection in her kidneys, liver and blood.
Mrs. Ridout had contracted capnocytophaga canimorsus, an extremely rare bacterial infection that is transmitted from an animal through a bite or lick.
She was transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital as her condition rapidly deteriorated and her organs began to shut down.
Doctors told her devastated family on Friday there was nothing more they could do.
Perth mother Tracy Ridout (right with daughter Sophie) contracted capnocytophaga canimorsus, an infection that spread to her kidneys, liver and blood
Mrs. Ridout was put into an artificial coma so that her body can fight the bacteria.
Her family says she will continue to fight for life, despite the doctor’s bleak prognosis.
“It also put her into septic shock, so almost her whole body is infected at the moment,” daughter Sophie said. Nine news.
“I was in shock, I just burst into tears, I also just thought: no, this is not happening, this is not real.”
Their mother was initially unsure why she was in so much pain, as she had been in a car accident a few weeks before she was bitten.
Sophie and her brother Kieren have spoken out to warn others about seeking urgent medical attention for a dog bite, no matter how minor.
“Even if it’s just a small dog bite, because that’s what happened to my mom, it wasn’t a vicious attack,” she said.
Kieren added: “Obviously we didn’t know what to look for and Mom didn’t know what to look for either, and I don’t think any of us knew.”
“When Grandpa explained to us what was going on, I was quite shocked that it went from a dog bite to – we don’t know what.
“I’m just trying to be strong… the knowledge has to be public because God forbid this happens to someone else’s mother or someone’s relative in any way.”
Doctors say there’s nothing more they can do for Tracy (photo in hospital)
Sophie has set up an online fundraiser to help pay for medical bills and funeral expenses.
“We were told exactly seven days later, 8/25, that there is nothing more the doctors can do and that they will put her at ease until we are ready to release her,” she wrote.
“Every donation goes directly to helping with all medical bills, funeral expenses, bills, etc.”
Tracy Ridout’s family is now speaking out on the ordeal to raise awareness about seeking urgent medical attention after a dog bite