Professional perception, microbiological analysis of dog’s smegma and effectiveness of the antiseptic action chlorhexidine and diluted povidine in dog foreskin washing

Abstract

Introduction: the presence of purulent secretion in the foreskin of dogs is often observed in the routine of the small animal veterinary clinic, which may indicate poor hygienic and health conditions. It is not clear in the literature which micro-organisms are present in this location, nor even which product is effective for proper hygiene. Objectives: an experimental study was carried out with dogs submitted to elective surgical procedures, which sought to (1) find out if veterinarians are concerned with preputial hygiene; (2) to know the micro-organisms present in the foreskin of the animals; (3) evaluate the effectiveness of preputial washing; and, (4) whether the microorganisms present in this region showed antimicrobial resistance. Materials and methods: samples from the inner region of the foreskin were collected using a sterile swab before and after preputial hygiene. The solutions used varied in groups: Group I: washing with saline solution; Group II: washing with 2% chlorhexidine solution; Group III: washing with topical povidone solution diluted in saline solution (1:0.6). Results and discussion: it was observed that preputial washing is not seen as a concern by veterinarians; the most common micro-organism present in the smegma and foreskin of dogs was Staphylococcus sp; that chlorhexidine and diluted povidone were effective against microorganisms present in smegma and foreskin; it is noteworthy that strains of enterobacteria resistant to most antibiotics tested were isolated. Conclusion: it was concluded that veterinarians were unable to routinely wash preputial dogs; washing the foreskin with 2% chlorhexidine or diluted topical povidone is effective in reducing preputial bacterial counts; in this microenvironment, the most common bacterial genus was Staphylococcus spp. In this way, as the clinical sanctuary, it is suggested that the preputial washes be carried out before the moment of the surgery, as a way to prevent sanitary contamination.