Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Cranial Orifices of Apparently Healthy Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Dogs, in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, kept as pets, companions, and for security, live and interact very closely with humans, and since they harbor microorganisms, including bacteria, humans are often at risk of contracting pathogens from them. To determine this risk to dog owners in Makurdi, 100 samples were taken by swabs from the nostrils, eyes, mouths, and ear canals of 25 privately owned, apparently healthy dogs, and cultured in Tryptic Soy Broth. Isolates included E. coli, E. faecalis, Klebsiella sp., Micrococcus sp., Neisseria sp., P. multocida, Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Streptococcus sp. The most prevalent bacteria were Staphylococcus spp., 88 (35.5%), while the least were Micrococcus and Neisseria spp., 2 (0.8%). Though the younger (0 – 12 months) and lighter dogs (0 - 12 kgs) had higher isolates, 114 (45.97%) and 84 (33.9%), respectively, age, breed, sex, and weight did not significantly affect bacterial isolates. By breed, Lhasa dogs harbored more bacteria, 60 (24.2%), compared with 12 (4.8%) from Eskimos. More bacteria were isolated from the oral cavity - 71 (28.6%), while the least were from the nasal cavities - 58 (23.4%). This difference was, however, not statistically significant. The bacteria isolated were all either pathogenic or opportunistic pathogens of man. Given the right conditions, they could cause serious or even life-threatening human infections. It is therefore important that dog owners give priority to their health and hygiene to help safeguard their own well-being