Canine Microbiome Reviews

The Canine Microbiome is the diverse collection of microscopic organisms that share our living space and our bodies. These organisms play a critical role in maintaining good health. They help fend off dangerous pathogens, assist in digesting food, influence inflammation in the body, and even affect brain function. Dogs have their own microbiome, and it's becoming more apparent how their microscopic companions influence health and disease. The largest number of gut organisms live in the large intestine. The skin and urinary tracts also have robust microbiomes. The gut microbiota help digest nutrients the dog’s body couldn’t do without their help. The composition of the gut microbiome can have a profound effect on overall health – and not just in the gastrointestinal tract. Many diseases appear to be influenced by microorganisms inhabiting the gut, including autoimmune disease, mental disorders, and cancer. The gut is home to a wide variety of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and archaea. These organisms tend to live in harmonious balance. However, if one or more types comes to dominate the others, this disruption can trigger health consequences. This state of imbalance is referred to as dysbiosis. Scientists are just learning how these organisms interact with each other, how they work together to promote the health of the host, and how they restore themselves to balance when disrupted by disease, dietary changes, or other external forces.

The Canine Microbiome Project is a research initiative aimed at understanding the community of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, residing in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. This microbiome is known to harbor hundreds of different species, collectively supporting a myriad of capabilities and functions. The gut microbiome has been shown to be related to an ever-increasing list of medical conditions, ranging from inflammatory bowel diseases, obesity, diabetes, neurological conditions, liver cirrhosis, colorectal cancer, and more. A growing body of evidence also points to a tight link between the microbiome and aging, demonstrating that microbiome composition shifts with age and might affect aging processes through a variety of mechanisms. The dog microbiome is extremely variable and may be influenced by a wide range of factors, including breed, diet, age, living environment, health condition, and likely aging as well. The aim of the project is to provide an in-depth and precise investigation of the physiological processes that underlie health and aging in a wide range of dogs. The project involves the collection of fecal samples from the subjects of interest and the use of "next generation sequencing" (NGS) technologies to study the entire community of organisms in a sample. The findings from this project could lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for a wide variety of health-related conditions in dogs.

Two websites that offer similar services to caninemicrobiome.com are AnimalBiome and Embark Vet. AnimalBiome offers a DoggyBiome Gut Microbiome Health Test that analyzes your pup's gut microbiome. The test detects gut imbalances and identifies problematic bacteria. The results include personalized recommendations for diet, supplement, or lifestyle changes for your dog. Embark Vet is another service that provides gut health tests for dogs. These services can help you understand your dog's gut health and make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle.