Who has never heard that dog saliva is a “natural remedy” capable of disinfecting and healing human wounds? This preconceived idea undoubtedly finds its origin in the observation of our 4-legged friends who instinctively lick their own wounds, which gives the impression that they are treating themselves in this way. In reality, although this behavior can sometimes have a limited effect in animals, it does not apply to humans. According to current scientific knowledge, canine saliva does not in fact have healing properties for our wounds: on the contrary, it can slow down healing and even increase the risk of infection by introducing bacteria.
A mouth full of bacteria
The mouth of our companions is not sterile: as in humans, it harbors a very rich oral bacterial flora. Dogs can thus harbor bacteria that are sometimes harmless to them, but potentially problematic for us. This is particularly the case for bacteria Pasteurella multocidawhich can cause skin infections, abscesses, and more serious complications in fragile or immunocompromised people.
The presence of these bacteria is easily explained by the lifestyle of our faithful companions: they lick themselves, explore their environment with their mouths and come into contact with many surfaces. So, letting a dog lick a wound does not promote healing, but can, on the contrary, increase the risk of infection.
A risk of serious infection
Even though dog saliva is often wrongly perceived as “harmless”, it can actually present an infectious risk, especially in the event of a bite or licking on a wound. Dogs can in particular transmit certain diseases called zoonoses to humans, such as rabies, leptospirosis and toxocariasis.
In rare cases, much more serious infections can also occur, such as those caused by the bacteria Capnocytophaga canimorsusnaturally present in the mouths of certain dogs. According to a study carried out by the CHRU of Brest*it has also been associated with several serious cases, sometimes fatal, in France. Most often transmitted by bite, but also sometimes by licking on damaged skin, it can cause high fever, vomiting, then in the most severe cases, a generalized blood infection.
Fortunately, these situations remain rare, and prevention plays an essential role: good wound hygiene, medical consultation in case of doubt, and vaccination of animals can greatly reduce the risks.
Woopets info – What are the right reflexes if a dog licks one of your wounds or bites you?
A dog's mouth naturally contains many bacteria. If a wound is bitten or licked, it can penetrate the skin and cause infections, sometimes serious. Even if the risk remains limited in the majority of cases, it should never be underestimated. A few simple actions can limit the risks and protect your health:
- Avoid contact if possible: do not let a dog lick a human wound, even superficial;
- Clean up immediately by washing the area thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible;
- Disinfect with a suitable antiseptic to limit the risk of infection;
- Monitor progress: observe the wound in the hours and days that follow;
- Consult a healthcare professional if you notice persistent or spreading redness, unusual pain, swelling, discharge, or signs of infection.
* M. Cabrol et al., “Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacterial meningitis”, Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Volume 48, Issue 6, 2018, p. 419-421.