Authors : O. Keskin, O.Y. Tel and N.B. Arserim Kaya
Abstract: The study examined 200 swab samples, which were taken from the external auditory meatus of 100 clinically healthy dogs. The dogs were aged between 2-10 years and had erect ears. Bacteria, yeast and mould were isolated in 20 of the samples. In 74 samples, bacteria and mould were isolated. Yeast and mould were isolated in 22 samples. A single microorganism was present in 44 of the samples. In 40 samples, one or more agents were isolated. Staphylococcus sp. (59%), Bacillus sp. (15%) and M. pachydermatis (14%) were the most frequently isolated microorganisms. About 113 staphylococcus strains, which were isolated in the study were susceptible to all antibiotics. However, one Staphylococcus chromogenes/hyicus strain was resistant to clindamycin, erythromycin, oxacillin, rifampin, one Staphylococcus equorum strain and one Staphylococcus haemolyticus strain were resistant to oxacillin, one Staphylococcus equorum strain was resistant to clindamycin and one Staphylococcus hominis strain was resistant to erythromycin. These strains were susceptible to all other antibiotics. Consequently, bacterial factors, predominantly Staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp. and M. pachydermatis can be pathogens via predisposed factors in the ear canal of healthy dogs. The bacteria isolated in the study were generally susceptible to antibiotics. Therefore factors, which are present in the normal flora should not be ignored and an antibiogram test should be used in the treatment of otitis externa.
O. Keskin, O.Y. Tel and N.B. Arserim Kaya, 2010. Aerobic Bacteria and Fungi Isolated from External Ear Canal of Healthy Dogs and the Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococci. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 496-500.