Is dog saliva full of antibodies that help them to heal when they lick their wounds, or is this rubbish?

Answer 1

um, no, this is just a myth perpetuated by dogs licking their wounds. Dogs lick their wounds to keep them clean, it's just like us washing ours out. If dog's licks could cure cuts, then who would need a doctor, just have fido lick it.

Answer 2

Yes the saliva does heal wounds

Answer 3

Rubbish. In fact, that's why dogs get those elizabethan collars from the vet when they get a wound - if they keep licking it, it'll never heal. It actually hampers the healing process.

Answer 4

No no no. Their mouths are by no means clean. They eat anything off the floor, and they lick their own butts, and some even eat poop. And most people don't brush their dogs teeth. It is absurd to think their mouths are clean. This myth came from research that proved that dogs have less different TYPES of bacteria in their mouth than humans. But this doesn't mean their mouths are clean.

Answer 5

yes and no. a dog will lick a wound too much and make it worse.
this is why you often see a dog with an Elizabethan collar on.

Answer 6

I've heard that a dog's mouth is surprisingly clean! It has normal bacteria (as do our own mouths) but also antibodies (or whatever they are) that kill a lot of the nasty bacteria.

Answer 7

its true...back in the old days, dogs were hunters and scavengers, sometimes eating dead or decaying animals, this is why they have saliva with antibodies..