Vol. 9, Issue 12, Part D (2025)

Pyoderma is among the most frequently encountered dermatological disorders in small animal practice, commonly linked with bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococci. The present investigation aimed to determine the major bacterial pathogens responsible for canine pyoderma, identify the predominant Staphylococcal species through molecular assays in the North-Eastern Karnataka region. Dogs showing clinical signs of pyoderma presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College Bidar, as well as nearby District Polyclinics, were examined, and skin swabs were collected aseptically for bacteriological evaluation. Isolation and identification of bacteria were performed using standard cultural, morphological and biochemical methods. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays targeting the pta gene (genus-specific) and nuc gene (species-specific) were employed to confirm Staphylococcus spp. and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, respectively. Of the 118 clinically affected dogs, 86 (73%) samples yielded bacterial isolates. Staphylococcus spp. formed the majority (52; 60.46%), followed by Escherichia spp. (11; 13%), Pseudomonas spp. (9; 11%), Klebsiella spp. (8; 9%), and Proteus spp. (1; ~1%). Labrador Retrievers showed the highest occurrence (37%), followed by Non-Descript dogs (20%). Pyoderma was more common in young adults aged 6-12 months (38%) and dogs above 24 months (34%), with a higher proportion in males (62%). Molecular confirmation showed that 92% of Staphylococcal isolates belonged to S. pseudintermedius. The study identifies S. pseudintermedius as the key pathogen of canine pyoderma in this region and highlights the need for routine culture and identification to guide appropriate diagnosis, therapy and mitigate the rise of resistant strains.