Imagine losing all four limbs due to something as seemingly harmless as a dog’s lick. This is the shocking reality for one UK woman, whose story serves as a stark reminder that sepsis can strike anyone, anywhere. Manjit Sangha, a 52-year-old pet owner, found herself fighting for her life after what doctors believe was a dog lick on a minor cut triggered a devastating chain of events. Her husband, Kamaljit, discovered her in a critical state in July 2025—slumped on the sofa, lips blue, and extremities icy cold. But here’s where it gets even more astonishing: despite enduring 32 weeks in the hospital, multiple cardiac arrests, and the amputation of all four limbs, Manjit survived. Her story, shared on a GoFundMe page, highlights the relentless battle she faced against septic shock and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), a rare condition causing dangerous blood clotting throughout the body. She was placed in an induced coma, reliant on life support and dialysis, yet emerged with a determination to reclaim her life.
Sepsis, often misunderstood, is a life-threatening condition where the immune system overreacts to an infection, attacking the body’s own tissues and organs. It claims approximately 50,000 lives annually in the UK alone, according to the UK Sepsis Trust. Manjit’s case underscores its unpredictability—a simple dog lick, something countless pet owners experience daily, became a matter of life and death. Upon her discharge in February 2021, she shared her struggle with the BBC, describing the profound impact of losing her limbs in such a short time. ‘It’s very serious and not to be taken lightly,’ she warned, urging others to recognize the signs early. Despite her ordeal, Manjit remains resolute, vowing to walk again and return to work. ‘I’ve sat down enough,’ she declared. ‘It’s time to walk now.’
Kamaljit recounted the rapid decline of Manjit’s health, emphasizing how quickly sepsis can escalate. ‘One minute she’s playing with the dog, the next she’s in a coma,’ he told the BBC. Her condition was so severe that surgeons had to amputate both legs below the knee, both hands, and remove her spleen, while she also battled pneumonia and gallstones. Through it all, Kamaljit marveled at her strength: ‘She proved us wrong every single day.’ The couple has since raised over £30,842 through their GoFundMe campaign to fund advanced prosthetics and raise sepsis awareness.
And this is the part most people miss: Manjit’s story isn’t an isolated incident. Just last year, an 83-year-old woman, June Baxter, died after her dog licked a wound on her leg, introducing the bacterium pasteurella multocida into her system. This common bacterium, found in animal mouths, led to septic shock and ultimately claimed her life. These cases raise a thought-provoking question: How often do we dismiss minor injuries or pet interactions as harmless? Should we rethink our approach to even the smallest cuts or wounds?
Manjit’s journey is a testament to resilience, but it also sparks a critical conversation about sepsis awareness. Her warning is clear: ‘It can happen to anybody.’ So, the next time your pet gives you a lick or you brush off a minor injury, remember Manjit’s story. Is sepsis something we’ve been underestimating? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s discuss how we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones.
