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Dog Saliva Useful remedy or at least a big health hazard?
Dog saliva has an antibacterial effect, but can also transmit pathogens. It has been healing in Europe since the Middle Ages. This is probably due to the observation that the dog licks his wounds and infected parts of his body in humans.
Dogs can transmit pathogens with their saliva. (Image: Andrea Izzotti / fotolia.com) Impure saliva?
In Islam, however, the dog saliva is considered impure. So Muhammad is supposed to have said, "Cleaning a bowl after a dog has licked it is to wash it seven times, the first time of it with soil."
What does science say??
As the Swiss trade magazine "Tierwelt" reports, the veterinarians B.L. Hart and K.L. Powell from California as early as the early 20th Century: The saliva of dogs prevents infection with certain bacteria, because it dilutes them in the wound and dogs lick them out.
Antibacterial substances
Dog saliva not only dilutes the bacteria. The Swiss veterinary biologist Jörg Jores further explains in the article: "Saliva contains lysozyme, which attacks certain bacteria such as staphylococci and streptococci. We also find immunoglobulins, antibodies that play an important role in the defense against pathogens. "
Bacteria in saliva
The saliva not only fights bacteria, it also contains countless, and some of them can harm humans. Jores says, "Tartar, throat infections or organic discomforts such as kidney can be the cause of bad-smelling dog saliva and breath."
Food, environment, diseases
Bacteria enter the saliva of the dog through food, the environment and diseases. Jores adds in the contribution of "Wildlife": "Also antibiotics, feed conversion, conspecifics and changes in the environment play a role here."
Dogs are often disease carriers
Most of these bacteria are harmless to humans, but not all. The bacteriologist points out to "animal world" that one can find bacteria such as E. coli in the saliva of the dogs at times, since the dog deals with his body care and licks the body parts of others.
rabies?
Rabies is one of the worst epidemics evolution has brought. In particular, the infection of humans with rabies is a problem that transmits an infected dog with his saliva. People are usually infected by animal bites, often by canines such as dogs, jackals, wolves and foxes.
Not the bite infected
Therefore, a bite is highly likely to infect because saliva containing the virus enters the wound. Among the viruses, the Tollut virus is one of the most sophisticated: It triggers a bite of the animal and thus ensures its own dissemination. The problem is not the bite, but the body fluid of the infected animal (or humans).
Rabies warning in Islam?
Is the fear of rabies widespread in Muhammad's time in Arabia a reason that dog saliva is considered impure in Islam? That is possible.
No danger in Germany
In Germany, there is no danger, because in this country rabies is largely suppressed. In countries of Africa, Asia or Eastern Europe, however, you should not be licked by foreign dogs.
Various sources of illness
Another reason for the impurity of the dog saliva in Islam are the living conditions of the animals: dogs in the Orient lived and live mainly on the streets. They feed on waste and carrion. As a result, their saliva contains a lot of dangerous pathogens for humans.
Danger in Europe?
In Europe, a bacterium in the dog's saliva can be a problem, namely Capncytophaga canimorsus. Every fourth dog carries it in its mouth and can transfer it over open wounds by licking. This bacterium sometimes causes blood poisoning.
Risk of immune deficiency
However, there is only a risk for people who generally have a weak immune system.
May my dog bitch me off?
People with a healthy immune system in Germany can be easily abschlabbern of their dog. But they should also refrain from letting a dog lick her wounds. (Dr. Utz Anhalt)