More Bacteria on Human Beard Than Dog Fur

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Q: I grew up with dogs, but my husband wasn’t as fortunate. We now have a dog—and a toddler who loves to hug him and bury her face in his fur. My husband worries that this is unsanitary, while I say it’s fine because our dog is healthy, takes monthly antiparasitic medication, and sees his veterinarian regularly. Can you help?

A: Researchers did an intriguing study that should help your husband feel comfortable with your daughter’s affection for her dog.

They identified bacteria on the neck fur of 30 dogs of various breeds and compared them with bacteria on the beards of men ranging in age from 18 to 76.

They found bacteria that cause human infection on only 13 percent of dogs’ fur compared with 39 percent of men’s beards. Total bacterial counts were significantly lower on dogs’ fur than men’s beards.

Bacterial sampling of the participants’ mouths also showed significantly lower bacterial counts in dogs’ mouths than in the men’s mouths.

If your husband has facial hair, his beard likely carries more bacteria than your dog’s fur. Even if he has no beard, he should feel reassured letting your daughter hug her healthy, well-cared-for dog.

Q: Sassafras, my indoor cat, developed a fat upper lip this week. Her veterinarian diagnosed a rodent ulcer and prescribed a steroid. What causes rodent ulcers? Could Sassy have eaten a mouse?

A: Rodent ulcers are named for the appearance of the cat’s lips. One or both upper lips become excessively thick, like rodent lips, and sometimes ulcerated.

A rodent ulcer, also called an indolent ulcer, is one manifestation of feline eosinophilic granuloma complex, or EGC, skin lesions that contain white blood cells called eosinophils, or “eos,” which are part of the immune system.

Eos are associated with allergy and parasites, so it should come as no surprise that rodent ulcers and other forms of EGC are most often caused by allergies—not by eating rodents.

Sassy is likely allergic to flea saliva, pollens, or even some ingredient in her food. Steroids block the allergic response and effectively treat rodent ulcers.

But you'll also need to address the cause of her allergy. Often it’s fleas, though you probably won’t find any on Sassy if she removes them as she grooms. Nevertheless, flea bites can trigger allergies, so use a flea control product throughout the year.

Q: Bear, my Labrador retriever, almost had a run-in with a porcupine while I was training him in the field. What do I do if he’s ever harpooned by porcupine quills?

A: Rush him to a veterinary emergency clinic. If there are quills in or near his eyes, have someone restrain him while you’re driving so he doesn’t do further damage.

Quills are loosely attached to the porcupine’s body, so they release easily when the dog touches the porcupine. Each quill is covered by what look like fish scales that are designed to help the quill work in deeper, making removal difficult.

If a porcupine quill breaks off near the surface of the dog’s skin, it can migrate through the body. If it reaches a joint, the quill will cause pain and limping. If it ends up in the heart, brain, or other vital organ, it can kill.

Because the quill scales are designed to dig in, quill removal is painful and therefore best done while Bear is anesthetized. After the procedure, the veterinarian will send Bear home with pain medicine.

Unfortunately, quilled dogs rarely learn their lesson. Most continue to attack porcupines and get quilled again. If Bear has this experience, you might reconsider his role as a hunting dog.