Throat Flora of a Closed Colony of Beagles 1

Abstract

Summary

Throat cultures from 467 beagles in a closed breeding colony showed a high incidence of Mycoplasma species (100%), coliforms (82%), Pasteurella multocida (79.5%) and Lancefield group G β hemolytic streptococci (41.8%). The flora was relatively stable over a 1-year period, although younger dogs (1-4 years old) had a consistently lower incidence of β hemolytic streptococci than dogs 4 years old and older. The incidence of other organisms regarded as part of the normal throat flora was similar to that reported in man.