16
Dec
Is It Bad If Your Dog Licks Your Wound. Do not let your dog clean your injuries. Canine saliva can be helpful in cleaning your wound and even healing it. Were taught at an early age that getting bitten by a dog could be bad news especially when it comes to rabies but dog licks didnt come with the same warning. It is rare for dog saliva to cause serious injury but it has in more than one case.
It is common for animals like cats primates and rodents to lick their injuries. Only 16 of the bacteria in a dogs mouth overlap directly with that in a human mouth. When a dog licks a human wound there is a chance that bacteria called Pasteurella can be spread. However if your dog wont let up with the licking problems can start fast. Can dogs smell period. Pasteurella can be treated with antibiotics which is great but it can also open the door to other more serious infections to develop.
Depending on the wound your dogs licking can be positive or negative.
But remember discourage licking after surgery especially if there are stitches involved dogs are likely to bite and pull them out. When a dog licks a human wound there is a chance that bacteria called Pasteurella can be spread. Keep your dog mentally occupied if he or she is otherwise healthy and up for it play games hide food practice tricks. Dogs lick their own wounds or maybe the wounds of dogs they take care of like their pups. If your dog has a minor superficial scrape allowing your dog to lick it for a minute is probably fine. When it comes to dogs licking their own wounds a heavy amount of licking is likely to break down stitches and suture and re-open any closed wounds leaving them vulnerable to infection and the accumulation of dirt and debris.