Isolation, cultural and biochemical identification of bacteria causing canine otitis in the north-eastern Karnataka region

Abstract

Canine otitis is a frequently encountered and often recurrent clinical condition in dogs, resulting from a complex interplay of infectious and non-infectious factors. The present study was undertaken to isolate, identify and characterize the predominant bacterial pathogens associated with canine otitis in the north-eastern Karnataka region (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur and Koppal). A total of 104 ear swabs were collected from clinically suspected otitis cases, of which 86 samples yielded bacterial growth. The Staphylococcus spp. were the most predominant isolates (55.81%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. (15.12%), Escherichia spp. (11.63%), Klebsiella spp. (9.30%), and Proteus spp. (2.33%), with mixed infections observed in 5.81% of cases. Biochemical characterization revealed that the predominant Staphylococcus isolates were coagulase positive. The findings highlight the predominant role of Staphylococcus spp. in canine otitis in this region and emphasize the importance of bacteriological diagnosis for effective clinical management.