why do animals lick their wounds?

Answer 1

The reason why animals lick their wounds is because they are actually help to speed up the healing process, there is something in the saliva of animals that is like an antibiotic, and it helps to heal the wound...
I hope that this answer helps you out.

Answer 2

You would think it is to keep them clean, but it more likely makes it worse. I think that wounds smell differently and they get information about the state of the wound by licking. I think that's why they tend to lick human wounds too. They are also trying to alleviate the pain and itching. If an animal licks too much, though it can get infected and stop healing.

Answer 3

Wound healing is a complicated series of biochemical interactions among many different cells and proteins, but it is clear that EGF is a major player in that sequence. When skin is damaged, the body releases EGF into the area. The presence of EGF attracts nearby connective tissue cells called fibroblasts. The EGF then signals the fibroblasts to begin producing collagen in the area of the wound to build the foundation of new skin tissue. The fibroblasts in turn produce their own EGF, which entices cells that make up the outer layer of skin, called keratinocytes, to gather and multiply, essentially paving over the collagen and closing the wound.

Under normal circumstances, the body can use this process to heal a wound. But in diabetics, cells called neutrophils that are responsible for helping clean the wound site stick around too long and actually undermine healing. They clear out new tissue instead of just damaged tissue. As a result, the lesions remain open. In the past, researchers strove to overcome this by applying EGF, but the approach did not work because EGF only remains in the wound site for about seven minutes before it disperses. This is not enough time to rebuild tissue to outpace the neutrophils.

n more...................... click below
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2006/may24/cochran-052406.html

Answer 4

they lick their wounds to keep them clean but dogs saliva is actually not very clean. When the body detects the saliva it sends extra antibodies to the spot where it detects the bacteria from the saliva. This makes the wound heal quicker than if it were clean and sterile. Kinda alerts the bodies defense mechanisms. My Grandpa used to put diesel fuel on cuts when I was a kid and they would heal alot faster it did the same thing by causing my body to react and send extra antibodies to the area. I notice the same thing today being a mechanic. Greasy cuts heal faster it seems.

Answer 5

To heal them. There is a natural antibiotic in their saliva.

Answer 6

The tounge and saliva is full of anti-bodies.

Answer 7

The same reason we put our fingers in our mouths when we smash it with a hammer or prick it with a needle or something...

Answer 8

To clean them and prevent infection.

Answer 9

Thats their method of cleaning it

Answer 10

because they have an oxidant in their saliva which helps clean it