Staphylococcus pseudintermedius causing presumptive ascending canine abortion

Despite growing literature regarding evidence of commensal and sometimes pathogenic bacteria in the uterine and vaginal microbiome of dogs, no direct association with reproductive disease has been linked to Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, an opportunistic vaginal commensal (commonly cultured). A multiparous dog had an infectious abortion during late pregnancy over the course of a week. The infectious agent identified on fetal autopsy via culture of the stomach contents and spleen was Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.