Perth mum Tracy Ridout 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 left her with a rare bacterial infection.
Tracy Ridout, 53, was babysitting a friend’s German Shepherd earlier this month and was trying to throw a toy when the dog playfully bit her finger.
The mother, from Perth, began to suffer immense pain a few days later and eventually went to Rockingham General Hospital early on August 18, where she discovered she was suffering from an infection with kidneys, liver and blood.
Ms Ridout had contracted Capnocytophaga canimorsus, an extremely rare bacterial infection transmitted by an animal through biting or licking.
She was transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital as her condition deteriorated rapidly and her organs began to fail.
On Friday, doctors told his devastated family there was nothing more they could do.
Perth mum Tracy Ridout (right with daughter Sophie) contracted Capnocytophaga canimorsus, an infection which found its way into her kidneys, liver and blood.
Ms Ridout was placed in an induced coma so her body could fight off the bacteria.
Her family say she will continue to fight for her life, despite the doctor’s grim prognosis.
“It also put her into septic shock – so almost her whole body was infected at this point,” her daughter Sophie said. Nine news.
“I was in shock, uh, I just broke down crying, I also thought no, this wasn’t happening, this wasn’t real.”
Initially, their mother did not know why she was in so much pain, as she had been in a car accident a few weeks before being bitten.
Sophie and her brother Kieren have spoken out to warn others not to seek urgent medical attention in the event of a dog bite, no matter how minor.
“Even if it’s just a little dog bite, because that’s what happened to my mom, it wasn’t a brutal attack,” she said.
Kieren added: “Obviously we didn’t know what to watch out for and mum didn’t know what to watch out for and I don’t think any of us do.”
“When Grandpa explained to us what was going on, I was a bit shocked that it went from a dog bite to… we don’t know what.
“I’m just trying to be strong… the knowledge needs to be spread because God forbid it happens to someone else’s mother or someone’s family member in any way it would be.”
Doctors say there is nothing more they can do for Tracy (pictured in hospital)
Sophie set up an online fundraiser to help pay for medical bills and funeral expenses.
“We were told exactly 7 days later on 8/25 that the doctors had nothing more to do and would make her comfortable until we were ready to let her go,” she wrote.
“All donations will go directly to help with all medical bills, funeral expenses, utility bills, etc.”
Tracy Ridout’s family are now speaking out about the ordeal to raise awareness of the need to seek emergency medical attention after a dog bite.
