Cooper recently came to see us after playing with another dog and cutting his tongue. Cooper required a general anesthetic and numerous sutures to be inserted in his tongue.
Did you know that a dog’s tongue functions as a food conveyor, a taste register, a texture sensor, a wound healer, a water-lapper, a radiator, and a wet version of a dog’s handshake? Other than the brain, a dog’s tongue performs more functions than any other part of their anatomy. Tongue wounds rarely heal on their own, despite all the functions and actions it performs, making it one of the canine body parts that requires the least maintenance.
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. ).
Can Dogs Heal Wounds by Licking?
No, not really. Because it’s the only way they can keep their wounds clean, dogs lick naturally. When a dog is wounded and in the wild, the only way to clean the dirt out of the wound is to lick it. It cannot be washed in a sink with clean water and dried with a clean towel. Dogs don’t have bandages or other similar dressings to keep wounds clean until they have healed.
You only have the power to lick the wound clean.
Natural selection has done its best to maximize this ability. Dogs’ saliva prevents some bacteria from growing. However, the benefits are largely limited, and this is only marginally effective. Nothing in a dog’s saliva can hasten the healing of wounds. They don’t lick their wounds to heal them; instead, they keep them clean to stop infection.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that dogs in the wild frequently lose their lives due to infected wounds. Despite the slight antibacterial properties of their saliva, dogs are not immune to infections. Allowing them to lick your wound won’t help it heal more quickly, and it won’t do much to stop infections either.
You can be allergic to dog saliva.
While many people mistakenly believe that pet fur causes allergic reactions in dogs, many of these reactions are actually caused by proteins in dog saliva.
According to one study, dog saliva contains at least 12 different allergy-causing protein bands. When dogs lick their fur, the saliva dries, and these proteins become airborne.1
According to the study’s researchers, dog saliva has more potential to be an allergen source than dog dander. According to the study, different dogs have different protein profiles (IgE), which makes some of their saliva more allergic to certain humans who are hypersensitive to this protein.
FAQ
How long does it take for a dogs tongue to heal?
When a dog’s tongue is cut, it bleeds profusely, and it can be challenging to stop this bleeding. If the cut appears deep or the bleeding seems impossible to stop, go see your veterinarian right away. The blood vessels will constrict when an ice cube is applied directly to the wound, which will help stop the bleeding.
What should I do if my dog bites his tongue?
How long does it take for a dog’s mouth to heal?
When playing with toys or grabbing at a treat, they might also unintentionally bite their tongues. Keep a close eye on your dog’s tongue for any accidental trauma or injury if it has an extra-long tongue because they typically don’t cause any medical problems.