Dr. Neilanjan Nandi, an assistant professor of medicine at Drexel
University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, says a dog’s saliva has
proteins that may help cleanse or heal its own wounds, but in a
paragraph titled “Why Not to Make Out With Your Pet,” he noted, “There
are some organisms unique to dogs that we were simply not meant to
tolerate or combat.”
Some bacteria in dogs’ mouths are zoonotic, meaning the animals can pass them to humans and cause disease.
Some common zoonotic bacteria include clostridium, E. coli, salmonella
and campylobacter, which can cause severe gastrointestinal disease in
humans, said Dr. Leni K. Kaplan, a lecturer of community practice
service at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
When dog saliva touches intact human skin, especially in a healthy
person, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems, as there will be
very little absorption through the skin,
However, a dog’s saliva and pathogens can be absorbed more easily
through the mucous membranes of a person’s nose, mouth and eyes. Though
illnesses transmitted this way are rare, Dr. Kaplan said it was best to
avoid having your dog lick those parts of your face.
NY Times
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