Is it harmful for dogs to constantly lick their own wounds after being injured

When we see a dog being injured and constantly licking its wounds, our hearts are filled with worry and confusion. Is the seemingly instinctive behavior of a dog licking its own wound after being injured helping it heal or causing unexpected harm? Every time the dog sticks out its tongue to lick the wound, it feels like a gentle tug on our hearts. We are eager to know whether this behavior is a blessing or a curse for the dog's wound, and this eagerness is filled with our deep love and concern for the dog.

From an instinctive perspective, dogs licking wounds is an innate behavior. In the wild, after the ancestors of dogs were injured, they licked their wounds to clean them, remove dirt and foreign objects from the surface of the wound, and reduce the risk of infection. Dogs' saliva contains some antibacterial ingredients, such as lysozyme, which can inhibit bacterial growth to a certain extent. So, in the early stages of wound injury, occasionally licking the wound may have a cleaning and slight disinfection effect, just like a primitive "first aid measure" given to dogs by nature. For example, if a dog is accidentally scratched by a small tree branch and the wound is not deep, it can gently lick it a few times to clean up the dust and other debris around the wound, creating a relatively clean environment for the initial healing of the wound.

However, when the dog keeps licking the wound, the situation becomes complicated and the hidden dangers gradually become apparent. Firstly, a dog's mouth is not a sterile environment, as it contains a large amount of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Long term licking of wounds, these microorganisms will continuously adhere to the surface of the wound with saliva, greatly increasing the risk of wound infection. Originally a minor wound, it may have been caused by frequent licking by the dog, leading to the proliferation of bacteria and triggering inflammation. Symptoms of redness, swelling, and increased pain may appear around the wound, and signs of infection such as exudation and suppuration may appear in the wound that was originally healing. Imagine a scene where a dog was originally just a small scratch, but due to excessive licking, the wound became red and swollen, and the dog became restless and agitated due to pain. What a heartbreaking sight.

Excessive licking can also interfere with the normal healing process of the wound. During the healing process, wounds will form scabs, which is an important step for the body to self repair. Scabbing can protect the wound, prevent external bacteria from invading, and provide a relatively stable environment for tissue repair inside the wound. But continuous licking by dogs can cause the scab to be repeatedly licked off, making it impossible for the wound to scab properly and greatly prolonging the healing time. Moreover, a dog's tongue has a certain amount of friction, which may damage newly formed tissues and blood vessels during the licking process, affecting the normal healing of the wound. The wound that was gradually healing may have reappeared with symptoms such as bleeding and pain due to excessive licking by the dog, which undoubtedly poses a significant obstacle to the healing of the dog's wound.

Dogs constantly licking wounds may also trigger a special condition, namely licking granulomas. When dogs frequently lick wounds and their skin is continuously stimulated, it can lead to local tissue proliferation and the formation of granulomas. This type of granuloma not only affects wound healing, but also brings greater pain to dogs. Granuloma usually presents as a raised, red and swollen lump around the wound, with a hard texture. Dogs may lick more frequently due to this lump, forming a vicious cycle. Once licking granulomas appear, treatment is relatively complex and may require medication to suppress inflammation, or even surgical resection if necessary.

When we discover that a dog has been licking its own wounds after being injured, we must take timely measures to intervene. Firstly, the Elizabeth circle can be used. Elizabeth circles can prevent dogs from licking wounds and create a relatively safe environment for wound healing. When choosing an Elizabeth circle, it is important to pay attention to the appropriate size, which should not be too large to affect the dog's movements, nor too small to make the dog feel uncomfortable. At the same time, we need to patiently explain to the dog why we need to put an Elizabeth ring on it. Although the dog may not understand our language, our gentle tone and soothing actions can make it feel our care.

Keeping the wound clean and dry is also crucial. Regularly clean the wound with physiological saline to remove dirt and secretions from the surface of the wound, and then apply an appropriate amount of pet specific anti-inflammatory ointment. When cleaning wounds, be gentle and avoid hurting the dog. If the wound is deep or shows signs of infection, it is important to take the dog to a veterinarian in a timely manner and follow their advice for treatment.

Dogs are our most precious companions in life, and their health touches our heartstrings. When a dog is injured, we should closely monitor its behavior, especially when licking the wound. Every careful care of a dog's wound is a manifestation of our deep love for it. We hope that the dog can recover from the pain as soon as possible and run and play happily again. When we see the dog's wound gradually healing and once again showing a lively and cute appearance, we know that all the efforts put into its wound care are worth it. Let us use this deep love to carefully care for the health of our dog, giving it the warmest care and most appropriate treatment when it is injured. Let our companionship with our dog be filled with warmth and beauty in every detail, and continue for a long time.