When a dog sniffs things, how is he protected?

[sweetlychee]

My questions is simple. Dogs sniff everything. When they go around the block, they like to lick things. Around the house, they like to chew and try things with their nose and mouth.

How are they protected from this with medicine and stuff? Milo is fully vaccinated and takes his flea and heartworm medication monthly. My question is, which medicine or vaccine already gave him protection from him digging and licking stuff?

At first, I thought the heartworm medication protects him from the dirt he licks and sniffs up. But I was wrong when Corgimum and the rest corrected me.

So, what protects him?

[Fluffypants]

Originally Posted by sweetlychee

So, what protects him?

His mommy & daddy!

Seriously . . .
I am assuming you mean from poison, bacteria, electric wires, glass, etc.? In that case, it really IS you who protect him, by keeping an eye on him and:

1) keeping/taking him away from things that are potentially hazardous.

2) if he DOES get into something dangerous before you can stop him {knocking on wood that won't happen}, taking him to the vet as soon as you suspect a problem.

This is where formal training classes come in really handy (IMHO) . . . they spend A LOT of time teaching / practicing "safety" commands like "Leave It" & "Drop It".

If that's not what you mean, I am sorry to (once again) ramble on pointlessly!

[sweetlychee]

I definitely know we protect him. Hahah. Thank you for that. But I was looking into the lines of medicine or something. I just want Milo to live a good and long life. He just picks up dried leaves and chews it or grass. Or even dirt. I was wondering if that is safe for him...or if there's anything to kill those germs.

Thanks so much.

[corgimom]

You are talking about bacteria, germs etc. that is naturally occuring in outdoor things that they find?? and from other things that transport it there?? - I would think that they build up a certain immunity like us people do, but also their series of vaccinations that they got as pups and then yearly protects them as well. That's my thoughts.

[Michael Romanos]

Dogs have much better immune systems than do humans. And humans have more immunity to diseases and so on than a huge number of people give credit for. Humans tend to wreck their immunity by artificial means and through medication such as anti-biotic drugs. So dogs can sniff and smell away and its most unlikely anything that is natural is going to affect them adversely.
However, fumes from cars exhausts and smoke from cigarettes worry me. I never take Taylor across the road immediately behind a vehicle because of the poison coming out of the exhaust which is directly at the level that Taylor is at.

[sweetlychee]

Michael - Thanks for the input regarding fumes and smoke. Since living in NYC, it's hard not to be near any fumes and smoke. I hope that since we are planning to move to the suburbs next year, fresher air, green grass, and more trees will be better for our corgi - Milo.

I'm glad that he has good immune system. But every year, we have to vaccinate him. I'm not sure if yearly vaccinations are necessary. Are they the rule of thumb?

[Robby1974]

Hey all:

Just my 2 cents. I have read that dogs have more (enzymes?) or more stuff in their saliva that fights off germs, infections, etc. This is why they lick their wounds. I could be wrong...im no expert...When's the last time anyone heard of a dog getting sick from sniffin around outside? My advice sweetlychee is to watch him of course but I would recommend not getting too worked up or worried about it. We all worry about our dogs and want them to be safe (they're our babies ) but dogs are smart too...especially Corgis...in my own humble opinion. Check the area for anything and watch your baby and you will both be fine. Dogs are far more resilient to disease than we realize. MILO is BEAUTIFUL BTW!

Good luck and blessings

[darci]

I was just watching TLC and they were using a dog to sniff out dangerous mold spores. They said the dogs wont get sick because the dogs will sniff, sniff, sniff, then purge.
From what they said, they take in a sniff into the olfactory area and hold it there then purge nostrils.


Very interesting

[ChloeLouise]

This is a very interesting thread! I admit I am definitely and unapologetically overprotective of Chloe and have swiped more yukky stuff than I care to discuss out of her mouth. She is, like most of the others have mentioned, CONSTANTLY sniffing and tries to taste EVERYTHING in her path! I, too, have worried about the safety of what she gets into - germ and toxin-wise. (During recent wet weather our yard was full of strange mushrooms and I spent a lot of time clearing them from her area as a precaution.) But on our walks I am very aware of what is in front of us as Chloe will, without a doubt, try to eat whatever she sees! I am reminded frequently of when our children were babes and toddlers and I was "baby-proofing" continuously!!

BTW, the saliva theory is REALLY interesting!! I like it - it makes ME feel better, anyway!!

Margo

[jprechel]

This is a very interesting thread. I have often wondered about all the "stuff" Ace sniffs and if it is bad for him. He seems to sneeze frequently and I assumed he was sneezing out any yucky stuff that didn't agree with his nose! He also is constantly putting things in his mouth outside. I often wonder about the many types of plant leaves he seems to find. He is better with his "drop it" command but there are still many times that I have to swipe out his mouth just to be on the safe side. It also reminds me of toddlers - Margo! We don't have kids yet but I think Ace is getting me ready to be a super mom!

[Michael Romanos]

Living in the heart of big cities and concrete jungles which attract a constant stream of traffic is not good for dog or man. If any Go Corgi member can break away from such an environment, don't hesitate.