Birmingham Woman’s Life Altered After Dog’s Lick Leads to Sepsis

An Indian-origin woman from Birmingham, England, faced a life-threatening battle with sepsis, which doctors believe may have stemmed from her pet dog licking a small cut. This led to multiple cardiac arrests and the tragic amputation of all four limbs.

In July 2025, 56-year-old Manjit Sangha returned home from work feeling unwell. The following day, her 60-year-old husband, Kam Sangha, discovered her unconscious on the couch, with blue lips and ice-cold hands and feet. An ambulance was called immediately.

Kam recounted to the BBC, “Your mind is all over the place. You’re thinking, ‘How can this happen in less than 24 hours?’ It’s incredible; one minute she was fine, playing with the dog, and then suddenly in a coma.”

Manjit was quickly admitted to the intensive care unit at New Cross Hospital and was placed in a medically induced coma. Her situation was so dire that she suffered cardiac arrest six times, leaving doctors uncertain about her chances of survival.

Eventually, she was diagnosed with sepsis, a serious infection that can damage one’s own organs. It was believed that the bacteria had entered through a small cut, possibly from her dog’s lick.

Sadly, her condition deteriorated further, leading to a rare complication known as disseminated intravascular coagulation, which causes abnormal blood clotting. To save her life, surgeons had to amputate both legs below the knee and both hands. Additionally, she had her spleen removed due to developing pneumonia and gallstones.

Manjit spent more than seven months in the hospital but has since started to recover. Now back at home, her family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the costs of advanced prosthetics, physical therapy, mental health support, and home modifications for better accessibility.

Her family remarked on her devastation, noting that she mourns the life she previously had, where simple tasks like picking up a glass of water came easily. They stated, “We are committed to helping Manjit rebuild her life.”

Determined to regain her independence, Manjit expressed her aspiration to return to work using prosthetics. “I want to get walking,” she emphasized. “I’ve spent enough time sitting. It’s time to walk now.”

Through sharing her experience, she hopes to raise awareness about the severity of sepsis. “It could happen to anybody,” she warned.