Pet wound-licking does more harm than good

In the wild, animals that lick their wounds are making the best of a bad situation. The behaviour can remove dirt and other debris from underneath the skin, and enzymes in saliva may help kill some types of bacteria, but when it comes to pets, wound licking does more harm than good. This is especially true when a dog or cat has recently undergone surgery.

Veterinarians go to great lengths to prevent contamination of a pet’s skin incision. The surgical site is shaved to remove hair and the skin cleaned multiple times, usually with two different types of antiseptics. The veterinary surgeon scrubs his or her hands thoroughly, dons impermeable, sterile gloves and, depending on the type of surgery, will often wear a surgical mask, sterile gown, hair cover and booties. In the clinic, areas where surgeries are performed are kept impeccably clean. This is all obviously quite different than what happens when a wild animal becomes injured.

Even with a naturally occurring wound, licking must be prevented. Bacteria in the pet’s mouth can lead to infection. Licking can also further damage tissues. Any wound more serious than the most minor of scrapes or scratches should be assessed by a veterinarian. Punctures are especially dangerous as they can seem small but can be associated with deeper damage and infection.

Wound treatment often involves some combination of local or general anesthesia, debridement (the surgical removal of foreign material and dead tissue), flushing with sterile liquids, applying topical antiseptics and/or antibiotics, suturing, bandaging, antibiotics, and pain relief. The benefits of proper wound care far exceed what can be accomplished with a tongue.

There are options for preventing dogs and cats from disturbing their wounds. Traditional, opaque Elizabethan (E) Collars work for some animals, but drive others crazy. See-through options, inflatable “doughnuts,” body wraps, and even bandages that discharge a mild electric shock to the tongue, are all available. If the one product doesn’t work, try another.

If, despite your best efforts, your dog or cat does lick its incision or wound, don’t panic. A few swipes of the tongue doesn’t always spell disaster. Intensify your efforts at keeping the pet’s mouth away from the site and watch the area closely. If you notice any swelling, redness, discharge, odours, missing sutures, gaps in the incision, or tissue protruding from the wound, call your veterinarian immediately.

Dogs and cats lick their wounds because they are uncomfortable, not because the behaviour has magical healing properties. Licking is no substitute for appropriate veterinary care.