02
Mar
Is It Bad For A Dog To Lick Its Wounds. Excessive licking can lead to irritation paving the way for hot spots infections and potential self-mutilation. But wild animals are busy staying safe and finding food whereas a well fed pampered pet can devote a lot of time to licking a wound making it more extensive and sore in the process. The benefits of moderate wound licking. Not only does licking potentially introduce infection but the act of licking can break down tissues and suture.
When a wild animal licks its wounds it is making the best of a bad. This instinct reduces the risk of infection as. Although your dog means well when it tries to lick your wounds canine saliva can cause infections in humans. We have all seen the destructive force it can be in surgical wound healing. Like most animal activities wound licking has its roots in behavior that would be beneficial under different circumstances. Licking and chewing can also slow healing by reopening wounds.
Unfortunately licking can reopen the wound and lead to infection.
The enzymes in dog saliva help destroy the cell walls of dangerous bacteria. It is rare for dog saliva to cause serious injury but it has in more than one case. And surgical incisions are not the appropriate indication for such ministrations anyway not when there are other better options available. Lactoferrin and other antibacterial and anti-viral compounds can also be found in saliva. Licking and chewing can also slow healing by reopening wounds. Every veterinarian knows that animal patients are driven to lick wounds.