Use of cystine, lactose, electrolyte-deficient medium for isolation and identification of bacteria and yeasts from the skin and ears of dogs.

Cystine, lactose, electrolyte-deficient (CLED) medium, a culture medium used for isolation and identification of bacteria from the urinary tract of human beings, was evaluated in a clinical setting for isolation and identification of bacteria and yeasts from the skin and ears of dogs. Staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas sp, Proteus sp, and Candida sp were isolated in cases of secondary pyoderma, otitis, demodectic mange, and folliculitis in 50 dogs. Proteus sp was found along with other organisms in 5 cases. Spreading of Proteus sp was prevented by the CLED medium, permitting isolation of the other pathogenic organisms. Observations of growth characteristics on CLED medium and use of 4 additional simple laboratory procedures permitted correct identification of 90.3% of the isolates.