Bacteriology of Wound Infections in Dogs Presented at Veterinary Clinics in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory

This study investigates the bacteriology and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of wound infections in dogs presented at veterinary clinics in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, located in the North Central geopolitical zone. Wound infections are among the most common reasons for clinical presentation in companion animal practice, and the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria in companion animals poses both veterinary and zoonotic public health concerns. Using a cross-sectional study design, wound swabs were collected from 100 dogs with clinical wound infections presented at three registered veterinary clinics in Abuja over an eight-month period. Standard bacteriological procedures were used for isolation and identification of pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion against 14 antimicrobial agents. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was the most frequently isolated organism (41%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Escherichia coli (16%), and Streptococcus canis (12%). Multidrug resistance was detected in 54 percent of all isolates, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) identified in 18 percent of staphylococcal isolates. Sensitivity to chloramphenicol and amikacin remained high. The study raises concern about the potential for zoonotic transmission of resistant organisms from companion animals to owners and veterinary personnel, and recommends culture-guided antibiotic therapy, infection control protocols in veterinary clinics, and owner education on wound hygiene. Keywords: wound infection, dogs, bacteriology, antimicrobial resistance, Abuja.