[MIAMI.CBSLOCAL] We've all gotten licks of love from our dogs. However, would you let your dog kiss you on the mouth?Share tongues with the pup? No thanks.
Urban legend has it that dog's mouths are very clean.
"That's not true," said Nova Southeastern University Microbiologist Dr. Julie Torruellas-Garcia.
You probably guessed that yourself.
Saliva samples from dogs in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach were sent to the lab to be tested. Based on the cultures that grew in the lab from the samples, Dr. Torruellas-Garcia said you may want to think twice before you and your dog exchange siliva.
That would make three times for me. I wouldn't share tongues with the cat, either. Of course, I wouldn't stick my tongue in the guinea pig's mouth, either, and toucans and parrots are definitely out. Maybe I'm just prejudiced that way. I probably need sensitivity training.
"There was quite a bit of bacteria that grew from the dogs' mouths," said Dr. Torruellas-Garcia.
While our testing did not reveal the presence of any e-coli or bacteria that could cause a staph infection, Dr. Torruellas-Garcia and her students found globs of other microboes.
"One plate had so many bacteria mixed together that it was difficult to test," said Dr. Torruellas-Garcia.
In swabs taken from dogs in the West Palm Beach area, the testing found evidence of Nyceria, bacteria linked to STD's, pneumonia and plaque.
"Think about where a dog tends to lick, and consider he or she might have just licked before they licked you," said Dr. Torruellas-Garcia.