PUBLISHED ONAugust 02, 2018 9:43 AMBYCandice CaiA dog-lover in Wisconsin ended up having to amputate all four limbs in a series of life-saving operations, all after a dog licked him.
The rare blood infection landed 48-year-old Greg Manteufel in the emergency room in late June, after he thought he’d contracted the flu, according to US reports.
Doctors found that the infection was caused by the bacteria Capnocytophaga, which is found in the saliva of dogs and cats.
The bacteria “hit him with a vengeance,” his wife, Dawn, told Fox6 Now.
The symptoms showed itself when blood spots began appearing all over the man’s body.
Said Dawn: “(It) looked like somebody beat him up with a baseball bat.” Within hours, his body started to go into septic shock.
She told Washington Post that her husband, a dog-lover, had been around eight dogs at the time when he fell ill. “He would touch any dog; he doesn’t care,” Dawn added.
Harley’s Hero, Curled Up by a Furry Friend
Kick‑started a GoFundMe this week because a beloved rider’s world turned upside down. Manteufel – a Harley‑enthusiast with a love for the open road – ended up needing a parade of surgeries after a nasty tussle with a pet in the hospital.
The Bad News
Just four days after being admitted, doctors had to amputate both of his feet. A follow‑up operation trimmed the damage all the way up to the knee. The next step is an incision that will carve away part of his hands. To top it off, his nose will need a hefty rebuild – no kidding, it’s a brand‑new nose on the way.
The Thank‑You Moment
Despite the show‑stopping ordeal, Dawn – the family matriarch – keeps her chin up and reminds everyone that “it is what it is, so we have to move forward.” That optimism is the language of hope that keeps the fundraiser moving forward.
How We’re Involved
- Goal: US$100,000 (S$89,000)
- Raised so far: US$65,000
- Thanks to every generous heart.
What the Stats Say
The CDC points out that Capnocytophaga – the culprit that came from a dog or cat – can jump from pets to people, but rarely makes anyone sick. The scary part is that people with weak immune systems (cancer patients, folks on steroids) can get the short end of the stick more often.
Takeaway
Manteufel may never rev his Harley again, but with wheels in his mind and a fierce drive to get his nose back, the community is rolling. Keep the funds coming, bring the cheers, and let those purr‑fumes stop being an obstacle. “Let’s keep the wheel spinning in his dreams.”
