Every veterinarian is aware that animals are compelled to lick their wounds. Everyone has witnessed the destructive force it can have when healing surgical wounds. When I see a wound that has been licked, I immediately know it. Licking not only has the potential to spread infection, but it can also damage tissues and sutures. Many still believe that it is wise to allow a dog to heal naturally from a wound. We also know that mother dogs lick their puppies from birth onward to encourage feces, clean the puppies, and possibly mask their scent.
Due to the assumption that dog saliva has antiseptic properties, some people have suggested that humans allow dogs to lick our wounds. So does canine saliva resist the growth of infectious bacteria?.
According to a 1990 study, there may be a small amount of bacterial growth inhibition in dog saliva, but this is only true for certain strains of bacteria. E. Coli, a bacterium that frequently causes neonatal infections, was somewhat inhibited in growth by canine saliva. This team of scientists hypothesized that the bactericidal impact against E Coli rather than Staphylococcus may be to blame for the higher rate of Staph infections in wounds (46%) compared to E Coli (9-17%). (1).
A more recent study cautions against letting dogs lick wounds on people out of concern that a zoonotic disease could develop due to the different bacterial flora (naturally occurring bacteria) in a dog’s mouth compared to human skin. (2).
It’s not a good idea to allow your dog to lick your wounds, and it’s even worse to allow him to lick his own Despite the possibility of bactericidal advantages, the trauma caused by licking is detrimental to the healing process. Consult a veterinarian for your dog (or a doctor for you) if you have a wound. Your doctor can determine whether the best bactericidal action will come from antibiotics and whether you need to have surgery, suture, or bandage the wound.
Of course, I often hear that a dog would lick a wound in the wild if no one attended to it, but dogs in the wild would never have surgical incision sites because we have the technology to keep wounds much cleaner using aseptic techniques than licking can ever do. Keep in mind that your dog may die from a minor wound in the wild if he relies solely on licking to treat the infection.
We now understand better and are accountable for the welfare of our pets. Don’t trust nature to manage a wound. Your pet’s recovery period will be sped up and his pain and suffering will be better managed if you seek medical attention. With a professional intervention, his chances of a full recovery without side effects are significantly increased. In these situations, allowing nature to take its course could result in your dog’s demise or physical deformity.
Is It True If a Dog Licks Your Wound, It Heals Faster?
No. This is a misconception of the characteristics of a dog’s salvia and an old wives’ tale. Despite the fact that a dog’s saliva does have some antiseptic qualities, these are frequently insignificant in comparison to the potential bacteria that could be introduced. A dog licks wounds because it has no other means of keeping them clean. It cannot compete with modern technology or a clean environment in general, though. You are already miles ahead of what dog saliva can provide if you aren’t rubbing your wound in dirt.
Even if a dog’s salvia had incredible antiseptic qualities, the wound wouldn’t heal any more quickly as a result. Antiseptic items merely prevent bacteria from infecting the wound; they don’t speed up wound healing. An infection may slow wound healing or stop it completely. However, there is no healing speed faster than “average. “Dog saliva won’t speed up healing if your wound isn’t infected,”
(Also, modern medicine is much more effective than your dog’s tongue if your wound is infected. Even the saliva from your dog would be better off with a clean towel and clean water. ).
Clubs Offering:
Dogs instinctively lick wounds. Something hurts, so they lick it. That’s all they can do. The idea that dogs need to lick wounds in order for them to heal is so pervasive that many people, including ancient societies, believed that dog saliva can also heal human wounds. This belief has some basis in fact, but over time has achieved mythic proportions.
Is licking a wound safe for the dog to do?
Licking can initially be both safe and beneficial for the healing process. Dog saliva contains enzymes that actually aid in the destruction of harmful bacteria’s cell walls. Additionally, lactoferrin and other antibacterial and antiviral substances are present in the saliva. The saliva adds protease inhibitors and growth factors to aid in wound healing. Opiorphin is one substance that is a pain reliever. In addition, it stimulates blood flow and other healing properties. Nitric oxide is created when nitrate compounds in saliva interact with skin, which prevents bacterial growth and encourages healing. Overall, if done in moderation, this initial licking is safe.
When your dog has been licking the wound for a while, you should start to be cautious and possibly consider trying to get it to stop. If the wound doesn’t appear to be healing and the licking has become excessive, this may be the case. The licking can result in other issues, such as a lick granuloma, which begins as a minor issue but can grow into a major one. If stitches are necessary, this is another reason you should be cautious about your dog licking its wound. If so, you should encourage your dog to completely refrain from licking the area to prevent the stitches from coming undone.
It reaches a point where licking is no longer safe if a previously closed wound reopens or the area in question starts to lose fur. While a large portion of saliva is helpful, not all of the bacteria in it is So proceed with caution. In other words, be cautious of dangerous pathogens that settle in a wound as a result of licking When dealing with surgical wounds, very large wounds, or wounds that haven’t healed in a reasonable amount of time, it is best to be overly cautious.
If your dog has licked the wound for the appropriate amount of time and it still does not appear to be healing, take action to prevent further damage. Make sure your dog is healing, not the other way around, please!