HomeAnswersInfectious DiseasesinfectionMy dog often licks my eyes and lips. Can a dog's saliva transmit disease?

What diseases can be transmitted through a dog's saliva if it enters the eyes or the penis?

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Published At September 9, 2022
Reviewed AtJanuary 30, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I wanted to know if a dog's saliva can transmit disease. For example, my dog often licks my eyes and lips, and one or two times, it licked my penis (for a very short time) while I was changing my clothes. I know there are a lot of bacteria in a dog's saliva.

Does it matter through which part of the body the saliva enters?

What diseases can be transmitted through a dog's saliva if it enters the eyes or the penis?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

If a dog licks or chews something that contains dangerous bacteria and then licks you, there is a high chance of this being passed on. In the same way, as you would not touch the objects that your dog licks and then put your finger in your mouth, it is safer not to let your dog lick you, either on your face or on a cut. In fact, for most healthy adults, adverse consequences from being licked are unlikely. But for certain groups, there is a significant risk, like young children or immunocompromised individuals (for example, people without a spleen or patients on chemotherapy) should avoid contact with dog's saliva.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

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Dr. Loay Yamin Ali Khan

General Practitioner

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