A vet has issued a warning about kissing dogs on the lips after a woman, Marie Trainer, had to undergo quadruple amputation. Marie returned from a vacation with a minor cut on her hand, and after being greeted by her dog’s affectionate licks, she soon became seriously ill. What seemed like the flu turned into a rapidly deteriorating condition that led to her slipping into a coma.

Doctors discovered she had contracted *Capnocytophaga canimorsus*, a bacteria in the saliva of dogs and cats, which can cause severe infections, particularly through cuts or wounds. This bacteria triggered a dangerous immune response, leading to blood clots that blocked circulation to her limbs, resulting in the need for amputations.

Experts have warned about the potential risks of dogs transmitting zoonotic diseases—illnesses that can be passed from animals to humans. Dogs can harbor bacteria like *E. coli*, *salmonella*, and *campylobacter*, which can be transmitted through licking. Though most healthy adults may not experience severe effects, these diseases can lead to gastrointestinal and oral infections, as well as more serious complications.

Marie’s life was changed drastically, and after undergoing extensive rehabilitation, she is adapting to prosthetic limbs. Reflecting on her journey, she shared the difficulty of learning to walk again, but expressed that she’s doing well now.