Growth in human, dog and cat saliva
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The saliva is an important component of the body of both humans and animals. Its major functions are to act as lubricant in the mouth and to provide favorable environments for the thriving of various digestive enzymes among others. However, uniqueness exists in the functioning of saliva in different human and animal species. This document attempts to exemplify growth in human, cat and dog saliva and discusses on comparisons amongst these.
Growth in Human Saliva
The insulin life growth factor concentrations in mixed saliva collected from individuals showed that it remained steady for twenty four hours when collected at basal rates, but were diminished in saliva samples collected at a maximally stimulated flow rate. This pattern was also ascertained amongst individual’s males and females when the Insulin like growth factor was plotted as a function of age. Low levels were exhibited in early childhood, rising over time, with age, peaking at puberty and falling age in late adolescent. However these results were different from plasma measurements in three major ways. First of all, the salivary insulin- like growth factor concentration was less than that of plasma concentrations. Secondly, the insulin growth like factor levels in age matched male and female samples were indifferent outside pubertal influences. Lastly, the level of this factor in neonatals was highly variable with concentrations ranging up to pubertal concentrations (Thewaboon 766).
It has been demonstrated that human saliva possesses a growth-promoting factor which is relatively heat resistant and does not exhibit sex specificity. Microorganisms in dental plaque continuously live in close correlation with saliva. An investigation on the role of saliva in adhering bacteria to teeth as well as the bacterial properties has been well carried out with less interest showing the plausible role of saliva as a substrate for oral micro- organisms. Studies further showed that saliva acts as a substantial medium for the development of streptococcus in cases where cell production of these organisms on saliva was limited with carbohydrate. The replication times for growth on glucose-supplemented saliva in the study ranged from 1.6 to 4.0 h. The availability of the sources of carbohydrate for the oral micro flora was exponentially discussed in relation to microbial increment in the oral cavity (Olijve& Hoeven 902-903).
A salivary gland swelling is also recognized as a sialocele or salivary mucocele. There are four salivary glands in the dog and cat. The most commonly affected glands are the large ones under the jaw, the mandibular salivary glands. The sublingual (under the tongue) can also be affected. A sialocele is a cyst filled with a collection of mucoid saliva in the tissues surrounding a salivary gland. These cysts can become quite large, sometimes inducing a cough (from pressing on the larynx or trachea) (Hoskins 140).
The cat scratch disease is a bacterial disease caused by bacteria carried in cat saliva and is passed from a cat to a human through biting or scratching. Rabies is a viral infection caused by virus found in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to pets and humans by bites. Common zoonotic bacteria may result in infections to humans. Streptococcus species of bacteria in cats can cause tonsillitis and pharyngitis among humans who interact with infected cats. A dog’s saliva according to researches is potent enough to kill the streptococcus bacteria (Gandhi 23). A dog’s saliva contains lycozyme, which is an anti-infective agent that assists in the healing of wounds within a short period of time.
Comparisons between Human and Dog and Cat Saliva
Dogs and cats do not have serious problems with caries since most of their teeth are sectorially designed. Unlike humans, they do not pack food between their teeth. Also the average pH in human saliva stands at 6.5 while that of cats and dogs is at 7.5 hence discourages the growth of the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Bacillus acidophilus which need an acidic environment to survive.
Thirdly, dogs have few problems with caries due to the content of their saliva. The urea content in dog’s saliva is significantly higher than that in humans. Their teeth are therefore constantly bathed by ammonium carbonate, an excellent acid neutralizing agent.
From a research carried out to determine if a dog’s mouth is cleaner, the canines indicated lower averages of bacteria growth as compared to human, and very few reached the highest category of growth whereas most humans reached the highest category. The duration period for the growth of bacteria was placed at three days. After the three days, 28% of dogs had no growth at all on the third day on their agar plate. Humans on the other hand had a total of at least two hundred and fifty bacteria colonies on their agar plate.
In conclusion, it can be ascertained that similarities exist between the dog, cat and human saliva in major functions such as lubrication and enzyme action. Differences also exist amongst these. The major one being that the streptococcus’s bacteria easily thrives in human and but is almost non-existent in cats and dogs. Worth noting also is the fact that the streptococcus bacteria can be transmitted from cats to humans (Eldrege 79).
Works cited
Eldredge, D., et. al. Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2007.
Gandhi, M. “Use of Dogs in Diagnosis of Diseases.” Bihar Times. 26 February 2008: 15-25.
Hoskins, J. Geriatrics and Gerontology of the Dog and Cat. USA: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2004.
Olijve, J.H., and Hoeven, J.S. “Growth of oral Streptococcus species and Actinomyces viscosus in human saliva.” Appl Environ Microbiol. May 1984 47:901-904.
Thewaboon, S. “Human Saliva.” South East Asian Trop Med Public Health 36 (2005): 765-768.
