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541
Bacteria in Normal Canine Milk Analyzed by Blood Agar Medium
Sabina Sibcic Kolasinac1, Lars Moe1, Vibeke Rootwelt1
1Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Elizabeth Stephansens vei 15, 1433 Ås, Norway.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|July 14, 2023
Summary
Canine milk contains bacteria in healthy lactating dogs, challenging previous assumptions. This discovery suggests canine milk microbiota is normal and should not solely indicate mastitis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Canine Reproduction
Background:
- Canine milk microbiota studies are limited.
- Milk was historically considered sterile, with bacterial presence often attributed to contamination or infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and types of bacteria in milk from healthy, non-mastitic lactating dogs.
- To determine if bacterial presence in canine milk is indicative of contamination or a normal occurrence.
Main Methods:
- Collected 210 milk samples from 11 healthy lactating dams within 19 days postpartum.
- Employed strict antimicrobial skin and teat preparation protocols before sampling.
- Assessed bacterial growth on culture plates.
Main Results:
- Bacterial growth was detected in 86% (180/210) of milk samples.
- Commonly identified bacteria included *Staphylococcus pseudintermedius*, *Enterococcus* spp., and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS).
- Consistent bacterial presence suggests a genuine occurrence rather than contamination.
Conclusions:
- The presence of bacteria in canine milk of healthy postpartum dams is common.
- Bacterial findings in canine milk should not be the sole criterion for diagnosing mastitis.
