a warning, please don't let any dog lick you

The Times has an article on this case today:

A woman has died after being licked by a dog. Here’s what you need to know
www.thetimes.com/article/d98005be-a681-4b07-9b49-0d6a76f3d884?shareToken=d1a37245928eeeb1d38b33b6be138e21

It’s behind a paywall and I can’t find it archived yet, so here are a couple of points from it:

// Who is susceptible to infection from dog licks?
Those with immune systems weakened by age or other infection. …The important message is people who are immuno-compromised need to be much more careful, particularly with open wounds, than younger, healthier individuals”.//

The immune system works less well as people get older, especially over the age of 65.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5291468/

// Is it safer for my dog to lick me in some places than others?
Dr Margit Muller, a veterinary surgeon … adds that “dogs shouldn’t lick our eyes, nose and mouth — areas lined with mucous membranes, more permeable and sensitive than regular skin and prone to absorbing bacteria — or broken skin. Open wounds should be covered as a preventive measure.”//

// Why have I heard a dog’s lick can heal wounds?
This myth dates back to ancient Egyptian times but there’s “no scientific evidence” to support it, says Muller, who explains that while dog saliva contains enzymes and chemicals that can fight certain bacteria, “these are not universal antiseptics or antibiotics that work for humans” and the “overall bacterial load in dog saliva makes licking human wounds more dangerous than beneficial ”.//

I've been told by my surgeon that after having my hip replaced, not to let my dog lick any wounds. If you do get an infection, then the hip has to come out & can't be replaced.

Junoesque

Exactly it never ceases to amaze me how many parents allow their family pets to lick their babies & toddlers faces. I have voiced my opinion on this abhorrant practice on numerous occasions on You Tube etc but still it’s thought of as cute!! So much so that videos are posted, pets are more valued more than their own children! Dogs lick their own genitals for heavens sake, unbelievable !!!

Younger relatives of ours have always let their dogs snuggle up to their (4) babies and children, and lick them.

Both are medics - one an orthopaedic surgeon, the other an A&E consultant.

Allira lol

itsadogslife

LaCrepescule

The thread title is alarmist. Probably not a good idea to let a dog lick a wound but to think that dog licking in general is a possible death sentence is utter twaddle.

hear, hear!
I've had many dogs and yes, they licked me sometimes and no, I have never caught anything from them. Humans yes, dogs, no.

I agree with itsadogslife and LaCrepescule. Alarmist, but fair to say to ensure wounds not licked.

Oh Primrose53 I haven’t laughed so much for ages. Yeeugh!

Any kind of animal may (most will) carry bacteria that can harm you. In the vast majority of cases your immune system will have antibodies to destroy them, if you have a weak immune system you may have lost the ability to counter the invading bacteria.

A bite or even a graze or scratch from an animal if neglected turn serious very quickly, the OP spoke of a lick on an already open wound on the leg of an elderly lady. Leg wounds can be very difficult to cure even without extra bacteria present, don’t be complacent about this, anyone that is already immumo compromised is very susceptible to another infection.

If you are elderly you will have less resistance to infections already.

Witzend

Friends had 2 FlatCoat retrievers, one of which adored dh, and from a puppy would climb on to his lap and give his bald head a very thorough licking.

The dog’s been gone for at least 12 years (RIP Charlie 🐶❤️) and believe it or not, dh never suffered any ill effects.

would climb on to his lap and give his bald head a very thorough licking.
😂

bikergran You must be very tasty!!

We viewed a house years ago where the family had a Black Labrador. The house had that wet lab smell.

I swear this is true but shocking. The dog was very lively and was running around with what appeared to be a pair of knickers hanging from his mouth. I pointed this out, the woman grabbed them off him and said “he goes crazy if I leave my knickers on the floor and spends ages licking the crotch”.
🤮🤮🤮🤮
I will just add it was an expensive house and she held a professional position.

Junoesque

Exactly it never ceases to amaze me how many parents allow their family pets to lick their babies & toddlers faces. I have voiced my opinion on this abhorrant practice on numerous occasions on You Tube etc but still it’s thought of as cute!! So much so that videos are posted, pets are more valued more than their own children! Dogs lick their own genitals for heavens sake, unbelievable !!!

And kids eat their own bogies...

Exactly it never ceases to amaze me how many parents allow their family pets to lick their babies & toddlers faces. I have voiced my opinion on this abhorrant practice on numerous occasions on You Tube etc but still it’s thought of as cute!! So much so that videos are posted, pets are more valued more than their own children! Dogs lick their own genitals for heavens sake, unbelievable !!!

It's one of those things. At that age a body could fetch sepsis for whatever reason. Rest in peace and no pets

I always think UGH when I see people kissing their dogs an d think " What a very stupid person ? Does she not understand that Dogs lick their Bums ? and so will transfer all the germs to a wound ...

I accept that it is not very hygienic to allow an animal to lick you, and especially not to lick an open wound.

However, I think some of the comments on here are extremely alarmist. Apparently 55% of fatalities happen within the home and I doubt that many of those fatalities arise from being licked by a dog.

Anyone who hurts themselves so seriously as to break their skin and have an abrasion, scratch or open wound, should obviously clean it properly!

Secondly, if it is bad enough to require professional attention, or as this woman did, they develop symptoms that lead to needing a doctor, they should mention clearly exactly what had happened, including the fact that a dog licked the abrasion.

Something that no sensible person would allow.

Obviously, animals' saliva can convey germs as can adults unwashed hands or children's sticky fingers.

We have to a very large extent become careless about basic hygiene, trusting to penicillin to save our lives if things go wrong.

However, most of us now know that antibiotics may not work as bacteria have to a great extent become immune to penicillin or sulphonomides and neither work against viral infections.

So back to our grandmothers' insistence on soap, water and a suitable disinfectant, applied by someone with clean hands!

I wouldn’t let anyone, not our dog, not even DH, if he’d offered, lick the scratch that dripped blood down my arm after picking blackberries.
On the other hand, she takes open-toed sandals as an invitation to lick, which is why I prefer crocs.

Cannot imagine letting a dog lick me 🤮. It sniffs and licks all manner of disgusting things on the street including licking its own nether regions.

Witzend

Friends had 2 FlatCoat retrievers, one of which adored dh, and from a puppy would climb on to his lap and give his bald head a very thorough licking.

The dog’s been gone for at least 12 years (RIP Charlie 🐶❤️) and believe it or not, dh never suffered any ill effects.

Our Lab does this with my husband. Not sure what is weirder - the fact that the dog loves to lick his bald head, ears and especially his toes - or the fact that he's quite content to let him do it!

Friends had 2 FlatCoat retrievers, one of which adored dh, and from a puppy would climb on to his lap and give his bald head a very thorough licking.

The dog’s been gone for at least 12 years (RIP Charlie 🐶❤️) and believe it or not, dh never suffered any ill effects.

I would never let any animal lick me...hence why I don't visit 2 of my friends. They just sat there and let their dog come round my back jump up on my shoulders n lick my hair yuk! never went round again .Another friend would sit there let her little dog lick my hand I would try and pull away then it would lick my clothes or my shoes. Never have gone to visit again. yuk.

Irismarle

dalrymple23

Love it Hopi!! My old gardener, who was previously a pig farmer, always got his black lab to lick any wound. Never had a day's illness in his life. His view that a dog's saliva was the greatest antibiotic!

Similarly, over 50 years, we have been licked to death but never, ever infected (wrong analogy!).

I might be wrong but I think that cats are a different kettle of fish. They scrape in their kitty litter and faeces get onto their claws, so more prone to spreading infection.

I’m with your old gardener! I had an itchy insect bite on my leg which sometimes bled when I scratched it and it never seemed to get better. One day I did this when sitting by my daughter in law’s spaniel, and he proceeded to lick and lick for about 20 minutes. The bite cleared up and never bled again!

Yes! Absolutely!

Get a grip!
"a warning, please don't let any dog lick you"
Utterly ridiculous, clickbait header.

Probably best not to let any animal lick or get any other substance in an open would. May do no harm but may.
But to extend this to say don't let a dog lick you is so ridiculous.
Have you any idea how good living with animals is for children, all of us to avoid getting allegies and how to be social?
Perhaps say as well "Never go in a car, never go out of your door.

LaCrepescule: I was thinking the same thing. The article mentioned that the woman had multiple health conditions and was frail. I don't think a healthy person would die from a dog licking them. I would still not let any pet lick an open wound.

dalrymple23

Love it Hopi!! My old gardener, who was previously a pig farmer, always got his black lab to lick any wound. Never had a day's illness in his life. His view that a dog's saliva was the greatest antibiotic!

Similarly, over 50 years, we have been licked to death but never, ever infected (wrong analogy!).

I might be wrong but I think that cats are a different kettle of fish. They scrape in their kitty litter and faeces get onto their claws, so more prone to spreading infection.

I’m with your old gardener! I had an itchy insect bite on my leg which sometimes bled when I scratched it and it never seemed to get better. One day I did this when sitting by my daughter in law’s spaniel, and he proceeded to lick and lick for about 20 minutes. The bite cleared up and never bled again!

Never understood why anybody would let a dog lick them. Once worked with a very smart, well dressed, very particular woman who let a dog lick all over her face, I was astounded.