12
Nov
Is It Ok For Dogs To Lick Wounds. As a kid I let my dog lick scrapes and cuts all the time. Its quite common for dogs to lick healed wounds - Ive seen a lot of Spey and castration wounds re opened because of licking when they should have been fully healed. Licking wounds seems an instinctual reaction to the injury. But wild animals are busy staying safe and finding food whereas a well fed pampered pet can devote a lot of time to licking a wound making it more extensive and sore in the process.
Typically sutures are only removed when the site is completely healed. Pets mouths are made for licking wounds they say so to heck with you neurotic vets and. It can be helpful in trusting this process so no infection is created. Licking wounds seems an instinctual reaction to the injury. If your dog is not willingly trying to lick at your wound it shouldnt be something you push at. Many dogs will require a protective collar see handout Elizabethan Collars in Dogs for more information to prevent them from injuring the site.
Many dogs will require a protective collar see handout Elizabethan Collars in Dogs for more information to prevent them from injuring the site.
A good amount of licking can be helpful for small wounds. Licking might offer some protection against certain bacteria but there are serious drawbacks to letting your dog lick his wounds. Wound licking is an instinct of many mammals and doggies are not an exception. Licking and chewing can also slow healing by reopening wounds. So limiting access to wounds particularly surgical ones with stitches is important. Licking wounds seems an instinctual reaction to the injury.