Capnocytophaga species are gram-negative bacilli that inhabit mammalian oral 
surfaces and can cause opportunistic infection, especially in asplenic patients. 
The species Capnocytophaga canimorsus is particularly associated with dog bites 
and is known to cause endocarditis, meningitis, and sepsis in the general 
population. In pregnant patients, infections tied to Capnocytophaga species from 
human flora have been associated with preterm labor, chorioamnionitis, and 
neonatal septicemia. There is little known about the effects of 
zoonotically-acquired Capnocytophaga infection in pregnant patients. In this 
case report, we present a patient with Capnocytophaga bacteremia acquired after 
a dog bite associated with profound thrombocytopenia and preterm labor. Dog 
bites are common in the United States, and we present basic recommendations for 
management of dog bites in pregnant patients in order to avoid morbidity 
associated with delay in time to antibiotic treatment of infection as described 
in this case.