Photo by V. Miller
Feb. 13, 2008
Fungus, Yeast, and Dog Claws
Dermatophytes and Yeasts: Analysis of the Canine Claw
Alyssa Cook, 14, Orange, Calif.
Finalist, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2007
Project background: Dogs often develop painful yeast and dermatophyte (fungal) infections in their claws. Unfortunately, these infections are sometimes diagnosed too late to benefit from treatment. Alyssa learned that there was little information regarding levels of these pathogens in healthy dogs that veterinarians could use as a basis for diagnosing infections. She decided to investigate such levels. She hypothesized that yeasts would be more prevalent in the claws of young dogs than in old ones, that dermatophytes would be more numerous in old dogs than in young dogs, and that both pathogens would be present to some extent in healthy dogs.
Tactics and results: Alyssa worked with a veterinarian and groomers to obtain 112 claw specimens from working and companion dogs of various ages. She pulverized each sample to expose the keratin layer and any pathogens. She then divided each specimen in half. She tested one portion of the specimen for yeast. She grew the other portion in culture for 21 days and then tested it for dermatophytes.
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| Photo by V. Miller |
Alyssa confirmed two of her three hypotheses. First, both pathogens were present to some degree in healthy dogs of all ages. Second, dermatophytes showed up more often in old dogs than in young ones. Contrary to her hypothesis, fungi were not more prevalent in young dogs.
To get science project ideas and expert advice from Science Buddies, go to www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/areas_of_science.shmtl.
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