Contrary to what many people believe, a dog’s mouth is not very clean and licks and kisses from the family pet can spread bacteria and make you sick, doctors tell the
CBS 4 Miami affiliate.
Nova Southeastern University microbiologist Julie Torruellas-Garcia checked saliva samples from dogs in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Based on the cultures that grew in the lab from the samples, Torruellas-Garcia said you might want to think twice before you and your dog exchange saliva.
"There was quite a bit of bacteria that grew from the dogs' mouths," she said.
While the testing did not reveal the presence of any e. coli or bacteria that could cause a staph infection, it detected many other microbes — including bacteria linked to pneumonia and sexually transmitted diseases.
"One plate had so many bacteria mixed together that it was difficult to test," said Torruellas-Garcia.
"Think about where a dog tends to lick, and consider he or she might have just licked before they licked you."
But West Palm Beach veterinarian Ken Simmons said not to worry too much, because bacteria doesn't stay in a dog’s mouth for long.
"It's gone so fast, if they lick and groom themselves, whatever organisms they ingest, they're gone in a matter of minutes," said Simmons.