Gingival flora of the dog with special reference to bacteria associated with bites.

Gingival scrapings from dogs were examined to determine their aerobic bacterial flora. Of particular interest was the frequent recovery of three unclassified groups of aerobic gram-negative bacteria, IIj, EF-4, and M-5, previously associated with human dog-bite infections. Although no set pattern was found between the variability and consistency of gingival microbiota as related to age, sex, or breed of dog, a certain characteristic flora can be predicted in the healthy canine gingiva. Members of the following genera were found: Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Actinomyces, Escherichia, Corynebacterium, Pasteurella, Caryophanon, Mycoplasma, Acinetobacter, Moraxella, Neisseria, Enterobacter, and Bacillus.