What would happen if a dog keeps licking its own wounds after being injured

Dogs, these furry children who bounce around in our lives and bring us endless joy and warmth, once hurt, their pitiful appearance can instantly grab our hearts. And when we see dogs frequently licking their wounds after being injured, we can't help but wonder: are dogs doing this to help the wound heal, or will it bring some potential harm? Exploring this issue in depth is not only a close concern for the health of dogs, but also a natural expression of the deep emotions between us and dogs. We are eagerly looking forward to finding the most favorable way for injured dogs to recover.

Licking the wound after a dog is injured is actually an instinctive behavior. In the long process of evolution, they gradually formed such habits. When dogs are injured, they instinctively believe that by licking the wound, they can achieve the goal of cleaning the wound. Their tongue is like a small cleaning tool that can gently lick away some dust, debris, and other foreign objects on the surface of the wound, reducing to some extent the further stimulation and infection risk of external pollutants on the wound. Moreover, dog saliva does contain some special ingredients, such as lysozyme and other antibacterial substances. These substances are like small guards that can to some extent inhibit the growth of certain bacteria at the wound site. For some mild superficial wounds, they may be helpful in the early stages and have a weak antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. At the same time, licking the wound can also alleviate the pain and discomfort of the dog's wound to a certain extent. When a dog licks a wound, local stimulation is transmitted to the brain, which releases substances such as endorphins. These substances are like natural painkillers, which can make the dog feel comfortable to a certain extent and temporarily forget the pain caused by the wound.

However, when a dog licks its own wounds after being injured, it often does more harm than good, with many potential hazards. The oral environment of dogs is actually quite complex, and it can be called a "little kingdom" of bacteria. They chew on various items in their daily lives, and inevitably leave a large number of different types of bacteria in their mouths, such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, etc. When the dog repeatedly licks the wound, these bacteria will be continuously carried to the wound with saliva. For some smaller and shallower wounds, the dog's own immune system may still be able to resist the invasion of these bacteria, without causing serious problems. But if the wound is large, deep, or the dog's own immune system is weak, these bacteria may multiply in large numbers at the wound site, causing infection, leading to redness, swelling, fever, increased pain, and even symptoms such as suppuration. Once the wound is infected, the healing process will be greatly hindered. Wounds that could have healed quickly may be delayed due to infection and may even lead to more serious systemic diseases, threatening the health of dogs.

Frequent licking of wounds can also directly interfere with the healing process of the wound. When a wound begins to heal, the body naturally forms a scab at the wound site. This scab acts as a small protective barrier, preventing the invasion of external bacteria and providing a relatively stable environment for the repair and regeneration of cells inside the wound. However, if the dog continues to lick, it will constantly damage this scab. Once the scab is licked open, the newly formed tissue inside the wound will be exposed, which not only makes it easy to be infected again, but also stimulates the nerves around the wound, making the dog more painful and forming a vicious cycle. For wounds that have undergone surgical sutures, dog licking is even more dangerous. Their tongue licking power may seem small, but for fragile sutures and wounds that are just beginning to heal, it can cause the sutures to break open and the wound to crack, which undoubtedly makes the condition of the wound worse, seriously affecting the healing effect, and may even require re suturing treatment.

When we discover that a dog is injured, we must closely monitor their licking behavior towards the wound and take effective measures to stop it in a timely manner. Firstly, putting an Elizabeth ring on a dog is the most common and effective method. The Elizabeth circle can form a physical barrier around the dog's head, preventing their mouth from touching the wound. At the beginning of wearing Elizabeth rings on dogs, they may show discomfort and even try to break free. At this point, we need to be patient and reward our dogs with some snacks to help them gradually adapt to this' new equipment '. In addition, putting postoperative rehabilitation clothes on dogs is also a good choice. Rehabilitation clothing can cover the wound area to prevent dogs from licking, and its wrapping feeling can also make dogs feel at ease to a certain extent, helping to alleviate their tension caused by injuries.

Dogs licking their wounds continuously after being injured, although it is an instinctive behavior that has some positive significance in certain aspects, overall, it will bring more harm to the healing of the wounds. As dog owners, we should always pay attention to the health status of our dogs. When our dogs are injured, we should use scientific and reasonable methods to help them treat their wounds, prevent excessive licking behavior, and enable them to quickly get rid of the pain and regain their former liveliness and happiness under our careful care. In this process, the emotions between us and the dog will become even deeper due to this careful care, becoming the warmest companion in each other's lives.