Yeasts isolated from the haircoat of healthy dogs that live indoor

Potentially pathogenic yeasts from the haircoat of dogs that live indoor and visit regularly an esthetic service were collected by the carpet technique applied on the fur. The microorganisms were isolated on Sabouraud dextrose agar supplied with chloramphenicol and identified by their morphological and biochemistry characteristics. Candida albicans was identificated in 95.2% of the canine population, followed by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (4.8%). It is known that C. albicans is uncommon on health skin. By the other hand, the high frequency of this agent in this study may represent exposure and risk for opportunistic infections in dogs and other susceptible animals.