Yorky licks wounds

[SnowWa]

Come on!!! I can't believe a doctor told her that the Yorkie saved her life licking her wounds. I think she stretched the truth a little with this one -or hopefully, she misunderstood the doctor. But, please don't tell me that any doctor would say that!

It's an old wives tale (hope no one believes it anymore) that dog's licking a wound would help a wound heal. The truth of the matter is that a dog's mouth or anyone's mouth is filled with bacteria and rather than clean can cause a more serious wound or infection. It's true that this usually doesn't happen, but a dog's mouth is not clean and certainly has no healing properities. If you don't believe this -- just ask any infectious disease specialist....

Dogs do love to lick any area that is bleeding... this is probably just a part of their carnivorous instinct.

I'm glad your friend survived her spider bites...no fun! I was bitten by a black widow spider when I was a child and certainly was sick for a day or two. (We know it was a black widow spider because my mother killed it.)

Carol Jean

[AsCeNsIoN]

While it's cute that our pets are licking wounds, I have to agree with SnowWa about the bacteria. I've caught Mitzi picking up cat poop in her mouth!! I don't want that on my cuts!! I have trouble letting her lick any part of me after seeing the things she does with her mouth! LOL!!!!

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

Come on!!! I can't believe a doctor told her that the Yorkie saved her life licking her wounds. I think she stretched the truth a little with this one -or hopefully, she misunderstood the doctor. But, please don't tell me that any doctor would say that!

It's an old wives tale (hope no one believes it anymore) that dog's licking a wound would help a wound heal. The truth of the matter is that a dog's mouth or anyone's mouth is filled with bacteria and rather than clean can cause a more serious wound or infection. It's true that this usually doesn't happen, but a dog's mouth is not clean and certainly has no healing properities. If you don't believe this -- just ask any infectious disease specialist....

Dogs do love to lick any area that is bleeding... this is probably just a part of their carnivorous instinct.

I'm glad your friend survived her spider bites...no fun! I was bitten by a black widow spider when I was a child and certainly was sick for a day or two. (We know it was a black widow spider because my mother killed it.)

Carol Jean

Well Excuse Me for sharing a story with you! I don't appreciate your sarcasm...You can state your point without being so freaking mean....
The dog got extremely sick, and almost died...I was there...I understand what you're saying, but the dog did get very very sick from licking her wounds, he was TRYING to save her life, you can believe that or not, but we had never seen him go that nuts over a wound before. My aunt is also a sick woman, and those spider bites made her extremely sick as well...It may not be a fact that he saved her life, but he sure did try his best....
Take it as you will, but don't be nasty to people who are sharing their stories. Please be more courteous when stating your opinions...

[Muffie's Mom]

Our older Yorkie, Muffie who we've had for over 10 years, never used to lick my feet or legs until after I had the bypasses in my right leg block up. She licks the right leg but not the left leg.

I read in a book that they do sense when something is wrong in our body. I think it's neat and down right smart of them. But of course, all of us already know that our dogs are smart!!

[Yorkieluv]

While a dog's saliva may not necessarily HEAL a person's wounds...It does contain some sort of healing property...
A 1990 experiment by University of California researchers found that dog saliva killed the bacteria E. coli and Streptococcus canes...
While I agree to an extent that a dog probably can't CURE a person of disease and blah blah blah, there have been studies that show it does have some healing properties...
But I do know that a dog's mouth is not 100% clean and is not bacteria free...

[Gabbi's Dad]

Yorkie-luv, I was brought up,I'm 68,that dogs licks a human wound helps with the healing process. I swear it works for me, Gabbi Lynn licks my scratches and sores, I have never had any adverse effect from their saliva. Their mouth can't be any worse than the human mouth. I get Yorkie kisses constantly...
Lloyd

[Yorkieluv]

Thanks for sharing that Gabbi's Dad