The “Healing” Lick - Part 1

Studies have shown that canine saliva contains enzymes (like lysozyme) that contain proteins that attack the cell walls of certain bacteria. The healing powers of saliva have long been suspected to have healing qualities due to how quickly injuries inside the mouth heal. Menno Oudhoff of the University of Amsterdam found simple proteins called histatins (a family of small, histidine-rich, cationic antimicrobial peptides secreted in human saliva and ocular fluids. They are primarily encoded by the HTN1 and HTN3 genes.