Can you get sepsis from dog saliva?
Emma Martinez
Published May 11, 2026
Also asked, can you get sepsis from a dog licking you?
canimorsus infection can manifest quickly and result in fatal complications, including septicemia and death. In 2018, for example, a man became infected with C. canimorsus following exposure from a dog lick, and had to have his legs and hands amputated after developing life-threatening sepsis.
Beside above, what happens if you get dog saliva in your mouth? “When dog saliva touches intact human skin, especially in a healthy person, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems, as there will be very little absorption through the skin,” Dr. Kaplan wrote in an email.
Secondly, can you get infection from dog saliva?
Many Capnocytophaga germs are normal bacteria commonly found in the mouths of people, dogs, and cats. These germs sometimes cause opportunistic infections, which means under the right conditions they can cause an infection, such as in a person with a weakened immune system.
What disease can you get from a dog licking you?
It wasn't a tropical disease, but rather an infection with a bacterium called Capnocytophaga canimorsus, which is found in the mouths of dogs and cats, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The bacteria can spread through bites, scratches and even licks from pets.