Bacterial isolates of indolent ulcers in 43 dogs.

Purpose: To determine whether bacteria are isolated from canine indolent ulcers and evaluate their influence on clinical outcomes.

Methods: Swabs for anaerobic and aerobic culture were collected from indolent ulcers of 43 client-owned dogs presenting to the University of Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Centre. Outcomes were compared between ulcers with bacterial isolates and those without. Medical therapy was reviewed.

Results: Bacteria were isolated in 8/43 ulcers: Three cultured two isolates and five cultured single isolates. Staphylococcus was the most common genus isolated and was present in six ulcers: Species included unspecified [2], pseudintermedius [2], schleiferi [1], and hominis [1]. Streptococcus was the second most common isolate present in two ulcers: Species included canis and agalactiae. Tobramycin was the most common antibiotic used in ulcers with bacterial isolates prior to referral (n = 3). One case did not have conclusive follow-up data from the referring veterinarian and was therefore excluded from further analysis. All seven culture-positive ulcers were recorded as healed without complication: six healing after one procedure and one healing after two procedures. Thirty-five ulcers were culture-negative. There was no difference in outcome between indolent ulcers with bacterial isolates and those with negative cultures (P = .7475).

Conclusions: Bacteria were isolated from 19% of indolent ulcers, and Staphylococcus was the most common isolate. Bacterial isolation did not influence outcome.