First report on clinico-bacteriological examination of Canine Mastitis in Punjab

The present study primarily focuses on one of the most significant disease of the lactating bitches, known as Mastitis. Pet hospitals of four districts of Punjab were selected for the study. Total 400 bitches were examined and selected, 100 from each district for the positive percentage of Clinical and sub-clinical mastitis in canines. The presence of palpable changes in mammary gland of bitches and changes in milk secretion clearly diagnose the clinical mastitis The milk samples were collected from the lactating bitches were preserved in ice-box and sent to laboratory for the screening of clinical and sub-clinical mastitis via Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT). All the positive milk samples for canine mastitis were subjected to bacteriological examination via different bacterial culturing and staining techniques along with biochemical tests for the characterization and isolation bacteria. The blood samples were collected for the hematological examination and serum chemistry. The results shows that the overall positive prevalence of canine mastitis in Punjab was 56.25% where as in district Lahore was 46%, 49% in district Rawalpindi, 62% in district Faisalabad and 69% in district Multan. The overall percentage of clinical and sub-clinical mastitis in Punjab was 14.75% and 41.5% respectively. The bacteriological examination revealed the positive percentage of bacteria isolated from the milk were E. coli (25%), Staphylococcus aureus (39%), Streptococcus agalactia (11%) and Klebsiella spp (25%). The in-vitro susceptibility tests showed that the most effective susceptible drug against E. coli and Staph. aureus were Gentamycin and Ciprofloxacin whereas Augmentin showed the intermediate results. Similarly, for Strep. agalactiae and Klebsiella spp. the most susceptible antibiotic was Augmentin followed by the Gentamycin and Ciprofloxacin. Lincomycin was completely resistant to all bacterial isolates. The hematological values like RBCs, hemoglobin PCV and neutrophils decreased whereas the WBC level decreases to minimum normal range The electrolyte values of Ca, P, Cl, K showed the marked increase. No significant change was observed in the level of ALT, ALP and AST. The level of Albumin and Glucose showed slight decrease. The present study was helpful in the bacteriological characterization of canine mastitis along with understanding of antibiotic resistance in canines. It is also useful in determining the hematological values, serum chemistry and electrolyte balance of bitches during mastitis.