Sharing your bed with your dog might feel cozy and comforting—but for one man, it almost turned deadly.
An Australian dog owner learned this the hard way after what seemed like an innocent night’s sleep with his furry best friend spiraled into a fight for his life.
How It Started
The man was asleep when he accidentally rolled over and smacked his dog in the face. Naturally startled, the dog reacted with a quick defensive bite, sinking a tooth into his owner’s wrist.
At first, the man brushed it off as just another minor bite. But within days, his arm became swollen, painful, and covered with pus-filled spots. That’s when he finally went to the hospital—and things got very serious, very fast.
From Dog Bite to Life-Threatening Condition
Doctors discovered he was suffering from necrotizing fasciitis, also known as the “flesh-eating disease.” This rare but dangerous infection spreads quickly through the body, destroying skin, fat, and muscle tissue.
Even scarier—it wasn’t the dog’s mouth bacteria that caused the infection. Doctors explained that the bacteria most likely came from the man’s own skin, which got pushed deep into the wound during the bite.
The man explained his dog had been sleeping on his bed (Getty Stock Photo)
According to the NHS, symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can develop within hours, including:
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- Severe pain near the wound (much worse than expected)
- Swelling and redness
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and headache
- Black, purple, or blistering skin patches
Left untreated, this infection can cause sepsis, a life-threatening immune response that can lead to organ failure.
The Battle for His Arm—and His Life
The man’s condition quickly escalated. His blood pressure dropped to dangerous levels, and doctors had to place him in a five-day induced coma to keep him alive.
“The surgeons managed to save my arm, although it was close going,” he later wrote on Reddit. “The infection led to septic shock, which damaged some of my organs. I’m still on crutches today and need regular specialist care.”
The man was admitted to hospital with sepsis (Getty Stock Photo)
While his kidneys and heart escaped major damage, he admits his brain function has been affected. “I’m slower than I was, struggling with memory a bit, but I’m grateful to still be here,” he added.
Still Best Friends
Despite the ordeal, he never blamed his dog. “I still have my dog—he’s a good boi,” he said. Doctors reassured him the bacteria most likely didn’t come from the dog’s bite but from his own skin bacteria entering the wound.
His story serves as a powerful reminder: even small wounds should be cleaned and monitored carefully, especially bites or scratches. If swelling, redness, or severe pain develops, seek medical help immediately.
Because sometimes, what looks like a minor scratch can turn into a life-threatening battle.
