Dog dies from ‘flesh-eating bacteria’ in Wyoming, Florida cat found on side of road shot with an arrow
A couple of sad, tragic and unusual animal stories involving a dog named Nikita and a cat named Emily have surfaced through the news vine.
Image/David Benbennick via Wikimedia Commons
In Campbell County, Wyoming, a 6-year-old Great Dane died last week from a very unusual case of the bacterial infection, necrotizing fasciitis.
The Gillette News Record reports, the dog was bitten by a feral cat that got into the yard of owners, Dana and Christine Williams.
Veterinarian, Dr. Darren Lynde called the case “beyond random”.
“I’ve done this for 20 years, and never seen this particular situation and probably never will again. Most cats and dogs just clear the infection on their own”, said Lynde, who was one of the vets to work on the case.
Lynde suspects that streptococcus A bacteria that caused the infection was present on the dog’s body or in the dirt. The cat bite allowed the bacteria to get into the bloodstream, where it began to do the damage to the animals flesh.
Nikita’s owner, Christine Williams said, “You could see the skin, it was falling off of her,” Williams said. “By Monday night, she had meat hanging from her chest.”
This incident coincidentally came at the same time when two patients at the Campbell County Memorial Hospital were infected and being treated for necrotizing fasciitis. One of the patients passed away Wednesday.
Image/David Benbennick via Wikimedia Commons
In Riverview, Florida, two men brought an injured cat they found on the side of the road to the Riverview Veterinary Animal Hospital—the cat had an arrow pierced through her torso.
The Tampa Tribune reports that an employee at the animal hospital said, “This, I must say, is the first instance I’ve seen with an arrow.”
“Emily” the cat had the arrow surgically removed. Vets say the cat’s prognosis is good.
Hillsborough County Animal Services is investigating. Those responsible for shooting the cat could face felony animal cruelty charges.
