The role of the intestinal microbiota in the
health and disease of dogs and its importance
in the agricultural sector
El papel de la Microbiota intestinal en la salud y
enfermedad de los perros y su importancia en el sector
agropecuario
María de Lourdes Salazar Mazamba
1
Diego Martín Cushicóndor-Collaguazo
2
Sandra Gabriela Parra-Guayasamin
3
Roberto Darwin Coello-Peralta
4
Abstract: The intestinal microbiota is fundamental in the proper
nutritional, physiological and immunological functions of domestic
dogs involved in the agricultural sector in the care of animals and
crops. The presence of a microbial ecosystem is essential to maximize
animal health and performance. The present study is a systematic
review of the role of the intestinal microbiota in the health and disease
of dogs and its importance in the agricultural sector. It is aimed at
efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in domestic dogs and
production animals. Gut microbiota has the ability to enhance disease
resistance in hosts. Developing a diet with cereal grains high in
fermentable carbohydrates, probiotics and prebiotics is a sustainable
option to increase microbial diversity and beneficial microbes, which
help prevent the incidence of diarrhea and decrease the use of
subtherapeutic antibiotics. Finally, it is important to mention that the
intestinal microbiota provides greater protection to animals against
infections.
Keywords: Microbiota, health, domestic dogs and agricultural sector.
Published
Instituto Tecnológico Superior Edwards
Deming. Quito – Ecuador
Periodicity
April - June
Vol. 2, Num. 2, 2023
Dates of receipt
Received: January 11, 2023
Approved: March 22, 2023
http://centrosuragraria.com/index.php/revista
vol. 1. Num. 17. 2023.
pp. 1-13
Correspondence author
maría.salazarma@ug.edu.ec
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License, Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
International.https://creativecommons.org/lice
nses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.es
1 PhD in Animal Science, Professor-Researcher of the University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador,
maría.salazarma@ug.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3402-8058
2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Guayaquil (UG), Guayaquil, Ecuador,
diegomcushicondor@outlook.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5238-673X.
3 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Guayaquil (UG), Guayaquil, Ecuador,
sandra.parrag@ug.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2410-7999.
4 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Guayaquil (UG), Guayaquil, Ecuador,
roberto.coellope@ug.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5152-2843
The role of the intestinal microbiota in the health and disease of dogs and its importance in the
agricultural sector.
2
Resumen: La Microbiota intestinal es fundamental en las funciones
nutricionales, fisiológicas e inmunológicas adecuadas de los perros
domésticos que intervienen en el sector agropecuario en el cuidado de
animales y cultivos. La presencia de un ecosistema microbiano es
fundamental para maximizar la salud y el rendimiento animal. El
presente estudio, es una revisión sistemática sobre el rol que tiene
microbiota intestinal en la salud y enfermedad de los perros y su
importancia en el sector agropecuario. Y es con el fin de realizar
esfuerzos para reducir el uso de antibióticos en los perros domésticos,
y en animales de producción. La microbiota intestinal tiene la
capacidad de mejorar en los hospedadores la resistencia a las
enfermedades. Desarrollar una dieta con granos de cereales con alto
contenido de carbohidratos fermentables, probióticos y prebióticos es
una opción sostenible para aumentar la diversidad microbiana y los
microbios beneficiosos, que ayudan a prevenir la incidencia de diarrea
y disminuir el uso de antibióticos subterapéuticos. Finalmente, es
importante mencionar que la microbiota intestinal brinda una mayor
protección a los animales ante infecciones.
Palabras clave: Microbiota, salud, perros domésticos y sector
agropecuario
Introduction
The intestinal microbiota is the set of microorganisms that inhabit the
intestine of dogs, forming a complex and diverse community that
performs essential functions for the health of animals such as bacteria,
although fungi, parasites, and infectious agents such as viruses can also
be found. Advances in DNA sequencing techniques have made it
possible to study in greater detail the composition and function of the
gut microbiota, which has led to a growing interest in the role it plays
in the health and disease of dogs that influences the development of the
immune system and may be involved in the onset of disease (Garcia-
Mazcorro & Suchodolski, 2017).
An important aspect of the gut microbiota is its diversity and balance;
a decrease in gut microbiota diversity is known as dysbiosis, and may
be associated with intestinal and systemic diseases. In dogs, gut
dysbiosis has been linked to diseases such as inflammatory bowel
disease, obesity, diabetes and allergy (Garcia & Dowd, 2011).
Knowledge about the intestinal microbiota in dogs is constantly
April - June vol. 2. Num. 2 - 2023
3
evolving, and several factors have been identified that influence its
composition and function. These include diet, antibiotic use, stress, age
and genetics. Therefore, understanding the role of the gut microbiota in
health and disease in dogs is essential for the development of preventive
and therapeutic strategies in the future (Garcia-Mazcorro &
Suchodolski, 2017).
Among the research conducted on the role of the intestinal microbiota
in dogs, it has been found that the use of probiotics and prebiotics can
contribute to improve the composition and diversity of the intestinal
microbiota, and reduce the risk of intestinal and systemic diseases. On
the other hand, it has been shown that the indiscriminate use of
antibiotics can alter the composition of the intestinal microbiota in dogs,
which can have negative consequences on their health.
It is important to note that the gut microbiota of dogs can be influenced
by a variety of factors, such as diet, lifestyle, and the environment in
which they are found. Therefore, understanding the role of the
microbiota in health and disease in dogs is critical to developing
effective preventive and therapeutic strategies (Kogut & Zhang, 2022).
Likewise, the domestic dog plays an important role in the agricultural
sector, where it is used in the care of crops, animals, among others. In
this context, the objective of this review is to analyze the role of the
intestinal microbiota in the health and disease of dogs, describing its
composition and functions, as well as the factors that may influence it.
The canine intestinal microbiota is a complex community of
microorganisms that plays a fundamental role in the health and disease
of dogs. The diversity and balance of this microbiota are essential for
the proper functioning of the digestive system, protection against
pathogens and modulation of the immune system (Garcia & Dowd,
2011). In farm animals, homeostasis of the neuroendocrine-immune-
microbial systems at the level of the intestinal tract is also required to
ensure the health, welfare and highest productive benefit of the animals
(Kogut & Zhang, 2022). Advances in DNA sequencing techniques have
made it possible to study in greater detail the composition and function
of the intestinal microbiota, which has led to a growing interest in the
role it plays in health and disease in dogs (Garcia & Dowd, 2011).
Likewise, knowledge of the different systems mentioned above will
allow the identification, planning and implementation of intervention
strategies to improve the intestinal health of farm animals with a holistic
approach (Kogut & Zhang, 202).
The role of the intestinal microbiota in the health and disease of dogs and its importance in the
agricultural sector.
4
In production animals due to the rapid growth of modern genetic lines
under stressful conditions and high pathogen pressure present in
systems where sanitary conditions vary, the challenge is to ensure
adequate nutrient absorption and at the same time avoid dysbiosis
(Kogut & Zhang, 2022). The study of the intestinal microbiota in dogs
has become a field of research of great interest in recent years, since it
has been shown that its imbalance may be related to various diseases.
According to studies by Garcia-Mazcorro and Suchodolski (2017),
altered gut microbiota in dogs has been linked to gastrointestinal
diseases, obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases, among others.
Therefore, it is essential to maintain a proper balance in the intestinal
microbiota of dogs to preserve their health.
Decreased gut microbiota diversity in dogs, known as dysbiosis, may
be associated with intestinal and systemic diseases. Gut dysbiosis can
cause a variety of diseases in dogs, including gastrointestinal diseases,
allergies, obesity, and autoimmune diseases (Suchodolski, 2016). A
state of dysbiosis, which can have negative repercussions on intestinal
barrier function, in production animals have been associated with
poorly digestible diets (Ducatelle et al., 2018), antibiotic use (Guevarra
et al., 2019). An indiscriminate use of antibiotics can alter the
composition of the intestinal microbiota in dogs, which can have
negative consequences on their health (Koppel et al., 2019). Antibiotics
such as tetracycline or streptomycin cause changes in the fecal
microbiota of 15- and 46-week-old hens after two days of treatment
(Videnska et al. 2013). Dysbiosis can be reversed by using additives
such as prebiotics and probiotics individually or together (McFarland
2014; Ducatelle et al. 2015).
Studies by Suchodolski (2011), Handl et al. (2011), Middelbos et al.
(2010) and Kin et al. (2017), have shown that the composition of the
canine intestinal microbiota is complex and diverse, being mainly
composed of bacteria, although fungi, viruses and other
microorganisms have also been found in smaller proportions. In cattle,
diets have impacts on fungal proliferation with microbial changes in the
rumen and methane emission levels Pitta et al. 2014).
In the study by Li et al. (2017), the proportion of protein and
carbohydrate in the diet was found to have a significant effect on the
diversity and composition of gut microbiota in dogs, and dogs with
different body conditions had different gut microbiota. For example,
April - June vol. 2. Num. 2 - 2023
5
butyrate, a result of the fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates by
microbiota (Clostridium), plays an important role in intestinal health by
being a source of energy for colonocytes and by anti-inflammatory
properties (Sassone-Corsi and Raffatellu 2015).
1. Digestion and absorption of nutrients
Studies by Van den Abbeele et al. (2013) and Zhang, et al. (2028) found
that certain butyrate-producing Clostridium species of Clostridium
cluster XIVa specifically bind to mucins, glycolyzed proteins that line
the gut epithelium and form part of the intestinal barrier. The authors
suggest that these findings could have important implications for
understanding the role of the gut microbiota in animal health and
disease and address the relationship between the gut microbiota and
nutrient digestion and absorption in dogs. Clostridium present primarily
in the cecum and colon facilitate the degradation of undigested starch
and cellulose to obtain energy from food (Stanley et al. 2013).
2. Protection against pathogens
Several studies have reported the diversity and species richness of the
gut microbiota in healthy and diarrheic calves (Gomez et al., 2015), in
horses (Rodriguez et al., 2018), in piglets (Ross et al. 2015), in dogs and
cats (Suchodolski, 2011), many of them agree that a gut dysbiosis is
involved in the pathogenesis of intestinal diseases and understanding
the microbiota allows the development of preventive and therapeutic
strategies.
3. Immune system regulation
Zeng et al. (2017) found that a healthy gut microbiota is related to an
adequate immune system response. However, a gut dysbiosis is related
to chronic inflammation (Rosii et al., 2014: Zeng et al., 2017) that can
be reestablished by addition of beneficial bateria (Schmitz et al., 2015),
the same that are related to higher density of goblet cells for increased
mucin secretion leading to protective mucus (Broom and Kogut 2018).
In addition, it has been shown that dysbiosis can affect the production
of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are important for gut health.
An imbalance in SCFA production can affect intestinal barrier integrity
and immune function (Suchodolski, 2016; Garcia-Mazcorro, and
Suchodolski, 2017; Minamoto et al. 2012).
The role of the intestinal microbiota in the health and disease of dogs and its importance in the
agricultural sector.
6
Materials and methods
Among these we have:
Sampling and determination of the intestinal microbiota from fecal
samples by stool culture, bacteriological biochemical analysis, API,
Vitek and MALDI-TOF (Ritchie et al., 2008).
Handl et al. (2011) used mass sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to
investigate the diversity of fecal bacterial and fungal communities in
healthy dogs. The most abundant bacterial genera in dogs were
Clostridium, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides and Prevotella.
Molecular Biology techniques such as DNA sequencing, which is a
powerful tool for the study of the intestinal microbiota in dogs and can
provide detailed information on the diversity and abundance of the
bacterial species present. Here are some examples of results obtained
by DNA sequencing in studies of gut microbiota in dogs Kim et al.
(2017).
Li et al. (2017), analyzed the gut microbiota of dogs with different body
conditions (obese and lean) and found that the proportion of Firmicutes
and Bacteroidetes in the microbiota of obese dogs was higher than in
lean dogs, suggesting a possible link between obesity and gut
microbiota composition.
Handl et al. (2011), DNA sequencing was used to analyze microbial
diversity in the feces of healthy dogs and cats and found a large variety
of bacteria and fungi in both groups, suggesting that the gut microbiota
of pets is highly diverse and complex.
The interpretation of the results of DNA sequencing techniques in the
study of the gut microbiota of dogs is crucial for understanding the
relationship between the microbiota and animal health, and for
identifying disease prevention and treatment strategies based on
modulation of the microbiota (Suchodolski, 2016; Kin, et al. 2017;
Rochus et al. 2018).
April - June vol. 2. Num. 2 - 2023
7
3. Result
Modulation of the intestinal microbiota in dogs
Probiotics and prebiotics
In studies by Hernandez et al. (2017), Grzeskowiak et al. (2015),
Rochus et al. (2018) and Gomez et al. (2016) describe that probiotics
and prebiotics are immunomodulators of the gut microbiota with
beneficial effects on gastrointestinal health in dogs.
2. Antibiotics and their effect on the intestinal microbiota
Grønvold et al. (2020) examined the effect of oral administration of
amoxicillin on antimicrobial resistance in the intestinal microbiota of
dogs. He determined that exposure to amoxicillin resulted in an increase
in the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in the fecal microbiota
of dogs.
Giaretta et al. (2019) examined the effect of oral administration of
enrofloxacin on the gut microbiota of dogs with diarrhea. He found that
exposure to enrofloxacin resulted in significant changes in the
composition of the fecal microbiota of dogs.
3. Diet and its influence on the intestinal microbiota
Diet is one of the major factors influencing the composition and
function of the intestinal microbiota in dogs. Recent studies have shown
that diet can affect the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria in dogs,
and that certain components of the diet can have a significant impact on
the health and disease of the animal. It has been shown that the inclusion
of dietary fiber in the diet of dogs can improve gut microbiota diversity
and promote a healthy gut environment. A study by Li et al. (2017)
found that dogs on high-protein, low-fiber diets had lower microbial
diversity and a higher abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria
compared to dogs consuming high-fiber diets.
Prebiotics are non-digestible compounds that stimulate the growth and
activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut, while probiotics are live
microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host. Rochus et al.
(2018) found that supplementation with probiotics and prebiotics in the
diet of dogs can improve microbial diversity and promote a healthy gut
environment, which could have a beneficial effect on the overall health
The role of the intestinal microbiota in the health and disease of dogs and its importance in the
agricultural sector.
8
of the dog.
However, it is important to keep in mind that not all diets are the same
and the impact on gut microbiota can vary depending on the source and
amount of nutrients. A study by Vázquez-Baeza et al. (2020) found that
the composition of the gut microbiota of dogs can vary significantly
depending on the food source, such as meat, fish or plant-based foods.
According to Suchodolski et al. (2012), the intestinal microbiota of
dogs is composed of a great diversity of microorganisms that play an
important role in maintaining the health of the animal; therefore, an
imbalance in the composition of the microbiota, can lead to various
diseases in dogs, such as: gastrointestinal diseases, allergies and
systemic diseases.
Likewise, Ross et al. (2015) described that probiotic supplementation
improves the composition of the intestinal microbiota and thus there is
better immune function. These findings suggest that modulation of the
gut microbiota may be an effective strategy to prevent or treat disease
in dogs.
Diet is a key factor in modulating the gut microbiota of dogs. In a study
by Li et al. (2017), they found that the ratio of protein to carbohydrate
in the diet had a significant effect on the composition of the gut
microbiota in dogs. This study suggests that diet may be an important
tool for improving gut microbiota health and preventing disease in dogs.
In a study by Handl et al. (2011), dogs and cats were found to have a
very high fecal microbial diversity, including a large number of bacteria
and fungi. These results suggest that the gut microbiota of dogs and cats
is complex and that there is much to be learned about its role in health
and disease.
Rochus et al. (2018) concluded that probiotic and prebiotic
supplementation can have a beneficial effect on animal health,
including improved immune function and reduced intestinal
inflammation. However, the authors note that more research is needed
to fully understand the effects of these treatments on gut microbiota and
health in dogs.
The role of the gut microbiota in health and disease in dogs is a
constantly evolving topic, and more research is needed to fully
April - June vol. 2. Num. 2 - 2023
9
understand the complexity of the microbiota and how it can be
modulated to improve animal health.
4. Conclusions
The intestinal microbiota of dogs plays an important role in dog health
and disease. A dysbiosis or imbalance of the microbiota is linked to
gastrointestinal disease, obesity, diabetes and immune-mediated
diseases. However, the use of probiotics and prebiotics can help
improve gut health and reduce the risk of disease. In addition, diet and
other environmental factors have been found to have a significant
impact on the composition of the microbiota and, therefore, on the
health of dogs and this helps their activity in the agricultural sector.
Importantly, antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis can predispose dogs to a
variety of health problems, including secondary infections and
inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, responsible antibiotic use and
the need for measures to preserve the health of the gut microbiota
during and after antibiotic treatment should be considered.
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