Cal Gaunt
A medical expert has explained why pet owners should never kiss their dog on the mouth.
While you might assume that people wouldn’t need reminding – considering how much time dogs spend a day licking their behinds – apparently they do.
TikTok expert @medexplained2you has provided a few reasons as to why you should avoid contact with your furry friend’s mouth – and it isn’t just because it’s rather odd behaviour.
The medical expert said: “Do you kiss your dog on the mouth? Because if so, it’s time to stop.
“You could actually lose your limbs over it.
“I’m unfortunately not kidding, because kissing your dog on the mouth can actually cause an infection with something called Capnocytophaga Canimorsus.
“This is a serious illness that can cause widespread stomach infection, septic shock and even gangrene.
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“Depending on how fast it progresses and when it’s diagnosed, amputation may become the only treatment.”
He added: “Why not avoid all that trouble and just stop tongue-ing your dog?
“Seems like an easy fix to me.”
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) backs up the TikToker’s claims, though it is rare.
The website states: “Rarely, Capnocytophaga germs can spread to people through bites, scratches or close contact from a dog or cat and may cause illness, including sepsis.
“Most people who have contact with a dog or cat do not become sick.
“People with a weakened immune system who have difficulty fighting off infections (for example, people with cancer or those taking certain medications such as steroids) are at greater risk of becoming ill.”
Regardless, it seems risking an arm or a leg for the sake of a sloppy kiss with your pooch isn’t really worth it – however cute they are.
In 2019, an American woman, Marie Trainer, actually suffered an amputation as a result of ‘puppy kisses’, according to CNN.
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Trainer is said to have contracted the nightmare bacteria Capnocytophaga Canimorsus, ‘probably’ after her German shepherd, Taylor, licked an open cut.
She had arrived at hospital ‘delirious’ before becoming unconscious in intensive care.
Her skin started to change colour to a ‘purplish-red’ before she then developed gangrene, which provoked a blood clot.
She woke up nine days later, without her hands and legs.
Trainer had two dogs and said at the time that she had no intention of parting with them, saying they ‘put the biggest smile’ on her face.
In the comments on the original TikTok, many said that kissing a dog is ‘gross’ and ‘revolting’, though some feel it’s worth the risk.
One person replied: “44 years and counting. I’ll take my chances, but thanks.”
Another wrote: “I don’t need this kind of negativity in my life.”
“I’ve kissed a few dogs in my time but never the four-legged kind,” joked a third.
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