My husband fell ill hours after routine dental appointment - before having all his limbs amputated

Davon Vanterpool, 34, went for a routine dental exam on December 29, 2025, where they discovered he had 'severely inflamed and bleeding' gums. His partner Alicia Wilder, 31, says she knew things were 'terribly wrong' later that night when her husband showed flu-like symptoms and he went to urgent care days later when he didn't improve. Alicia says she was 'shocked and terrified' when Davon went into septic shock and his vital organs began shutting down so he was put in a coma. Doctors were then forced to make the 'tragic' decision to amputate his entire right leg, his left leg below the knee, his left forearm and his right wrist right hand to fight the infection and save his life. Alicia, an accounts payable specialist, set up a GoFundMe page to raise vital funds to help her care for her daughters while she is unable to work and to cover Davon's rising medical bills. The mum-of-two says she is 'thankful her love is still here' while Davon is still in a critical condition she remains 'hopeful' because his body is responding well to treatments. She hopes to spread important awareness about the signs of septic shock to encourage people to get checked out as soon as possible. Alicia, from Denton County, Texas, US, said: "He's got a life sentence for nothing. He was otherwise a very normal active person, dad and worker every day prior to that day. "In Davon's case his gums were really inflamed when the dentist was in there poking in his mouth and it caused bleeding in his gums. The dentists didn't say 'maybe I shouldn't go forwards with this entire exam even though his gums are severely inflamed and bleeding'. Everyone has bacteria in their mouth but in Davon's situation the bacteria entered into his mouth because there were multiple pathways created in his gums." She explains that she had just gone out to the store for around 45 minutes and by the time she came home, Davon's condition had worsened. Alicia said: "When I came back that's when I knew everything was terribly wrong. "He was shaking and shivering uncontrollably. He said 'I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm so cold and I can't stop shaking'. He was throwing up and then he had diarrhoea." After being rushed to hospital and told he had septic shock Davon was placed on a ventilator and put in a coma and his heart stopped beating twice. He was then placed on a life-support machine that acts as an artificial heart and lung as he went into organ failure.

However, after Davon developed a rare, life-threatening complication, purpura fulminans, which leads to widespread skin necrosis, doctors were forced to amputate to save his life including his entire right leg on January 23. Alicia said: "I was literally forced to allow the amputation to save his life. I was shocked and terrified and I was so scared. When your muscle tissue dies it releases a toxin that can spread to the rest of your muscles. If you don't stop the source then you're going to die and go into septic shock again. "All the blood went to his vital organs and that ended up causing his hands to be very necrotic. When they went necrotic I had spent time trying to massage his hands trying to create blood flow. Unfortunately that wasn't working. His hands turned black and hard. "There was a time where they ended up trying to take some more of the dead tissue off of his right leg and that essentially stirred the pot and he went into a second round of septic shock. They were telling me that they would be surprised and be prepared for him not to make it until the next morning. It was so horrific. "Davon has such a loving and positive heart and even in the midst of scariness and being nervous and tragedy he is over here giving me a thumbs up and a big smile trying to be positive. "He knows a little bit of what's going on but he's not fully aware of what's going on. I believe it's the abrasions during the dentist appointment that led to the bacteria entering his bloodstream. Everything was completely fine [beforehand]."

However Alicia also points out that Davon had a metal rod in his leg from surgery when he was just 18, which he didn't declare in advance of any procedures. Alicia said: "Davon would never have associated what was gone on with his leg with the dental cleaning exam. He didn't say he'd had any past surgeries or had any metal in his body. "I don't know if he was ever told about needing an antibiotic before he went into surgery when he got that metal rod because he was young at the time. It's not something he would remember. No one routinely expresses the importance that you fill out this form completely accurately and thoroughly." Now Davon has started using a speaking valve to help him regain the ability to talk and Alicia remains positive that his body is responding well to treatment. While she does not want to scare people off visiting the dentist, she urges others to recognise the signs of septic shock so they do not waste time getting checked out. Alicia said: "We are so grateful that Davon's sepsis was identified and that he is actively being treated. I now understand how quickly septic shock can escalate and how devastating it can become in only a matter of hours. "Truthfully, I wish I had recognised the signs sooner. We were at home for around 45 hours thinking he had the flu before we realised how serious it was and he went to the hospital. That is something I replay in my mind often. All of his symptoms mirrored the flu. "If you or someone you love has recently had a procedure and something feels off, even within the first 12 hours, do not hesitate. Go to the emergency room immediately and trust your instincts. The earlier you go, the better chance you have. "While the outcome has been life-altering, I am thankful my love is still here, and that is something I do not take for granted. Despite everything Davon has endured, he remains strong in ways that amaze me. Even in critical condition, even while he cannot speak, he is present and he communicates. "He participates in therapy, even when it is incredibly hard and even if he needs breaks. He fights through nausea, unstable vitals, and intense pain every day. His resilience is not loud or dramatic. It is steady and determined, and I believe that mindset will play a large role in his long-term recovery and I will be supporting him every step of the way. "Don't be scared to go to the dentist, the dentist is important. When you go to the dentist, you should ask if your gums are inflamed or infected and is it truly safe to move forward with the periodontal exam.

"I would also encourage everyone to fill out medical information correctly regardless if you don't think it is connected. No amount of money will ever make anything better ever. But it can contribute to helping me with legal, housing, vehicles, and taking care of my girls." To donate to Alicia's fundraising, visit the family’s GoFundMe page.