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Pathogens and Your Dog’s Gut Health

Research from BIOME9 reveals that over 92% of dogs have pathogens present in their microbiome, with 85% carrying more than one. While many pathogens remain asymptomatic, they can lead to illness when stress or a weakened immune system comes into play.

December 19, 2024 • 3 min read

Bushra Schuitemaker

Lead Microbiologist

What Are Pathogens?

Pathogens are organisms that cause disease in their host. They may enter the body through food, water, the environment, or contact with other animals or people (zoonotic transmission). Some pathogens, like Salmonella on plants or Campylobacter in chickens, may not cause disease in their original environment but become problematic in humans or dogs.

Opportunistic Pathogens

Opportunistic pathogens are typically harmless in healthy animals but can become problematic in those with weakened immune systems or imbalanced microbiomes. Common examples include Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium species, which are normally kept in check by a balanced microbiome. However, if the gut environment is disrupted—due to factors like stress, illness, or antibiotic use—these bacteria can grow unchecked and lead to infections, ranging from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to more severe illness. Maintaining a balanced microbiome is crucial in keeping these opportunistic pathogens under control.

The GutDiscovery® Report: Key Pathogens

Our GutDiscovery® report identifies several pathogens commonly found in dogs' microbiomes, each with unique sources, prevalence, and mechanisms of causing disease.

Campylobacter jejuni
Campylobacter jejuni resides in the intestines of animals like chickens and cattle and spreads through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected animals. It is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the UK, responsible for around 300,000 human cases annually. In dogs, it can lead to diarrhoea, though many carriers show no symptoms. When pathogenic, C. jejuni invades the intestinal lining, causing symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and fever.

Clostridium difficile
Widely present in soil, air, water, and healthcare settings, Clostridium difficile infections often follow antibiotic use, disrupting normal gut flora and allowing it to dominate the gut microbiome. It spreads via the faecal-oral route, typically through contaminated surfaces. Infections in dogs are usually linked to recent antibiotic use or other health conditions. C. difficile produces toxins that damage the colon, causing symptoms like severe diarrhoea, colitis, and, in critical cases, toxic megacolon.

Clostridium perfringens
This pathogen is commonly found in soil, raw meat, and animal intestines and is transmitted through contaminated food or environmental sources. C. perfringens is known to cause diarrhoea in dogs, particularly after dietary changes or stress, and many dogs carry it asymptomatically. It produces toxins that disrupt cell membranes, leading to tissue damage and inflammation. Symptoms range from mild diarrhoea to acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition in dogs.

Salmonella enterica
Found in raw poultry, eggs, and the environment, Salmonella enterica is transmitted primarily through faecal contact or ingestion of contaminated food. It is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the UK, with approximately 9,000 cases reported annually. In dogs, Salmonella infections are rare but can occur, especially in those fed raw diets. This pathogen invades intestinal cells, causing gastroenteritis, with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. Severe cases may lead to systemic infections as the bacteria spread through the bloodstream.

Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori spreads through contaminated food, water, or direct contact. Globally, about 50% of humans carry H. pylori, though only 10-15% develop symptoms. While the role of Helicobacter in dogs remains under investigation, certain species may contribute to gastritis. H. pylori releases an enzyme which neutralises stomach acid, enabling other bad bacteria to thrive in acidic environments and produce toxins that damage the stomach lining, leading to gastritis, ulcers, or, in rare cases, gastric cancer.

Why Test for Pathogens?

The GutDiscovery® test identifies low-level pathogens, even in asymptomatic dogs, allowing owners to manage gut health proactively. Our studies show that targeted microbiome modulation through supplements can address pathogens and support overall resilience, potentially reducing the need for antibiotics.

With a bespoke supplement plan and expert guidance, BIOME9’s GutDiscovery® provides an actionable analysis of your dog’s gut microbiome, helping prevent future issues and promoting optimal health.

Ready to start your BIOME9 journey?

Order GutDiscovery® test kit & personalised health report

Frequently asked questions

The microbiome is the name given to the collection of microbes, mostly bacteria, but also fungi and protozoa, that exist within your dog’s gut. It is a diverse and complex microbial community which can directly affect health and wellbeing. We know that 90% of a human’s body cells are microbes, with only 10% being human cells – it’s just that human cells are markedly larger than the microbes. It’s similar for our four-legged friends. Testing the microbiome gives us an idea of exactly which bacteria are present in your dog’s gut and this can help indicate existing or future health problems.
A healthy diversity within the microbiome has been found to be an accurate indicator of overall health and wellbeing. If your dog appears healthy, but has an imbalance in their microbiome, then this could be an indicator of a potential future health issue. If your dog has any existing health complaints, then improving the health of their microbiome can help to improve immune system health and overall wellbeing, as well as improving disease symptoms.
Testing and treatment have the potential to help with a whole range of different health complaints. The immune system is very closely associated with the gut, so any imbalance in the microbiome can influence immune system health, overall vitality and wellbeing. Our supplement recommendations are also tailored to your individual dog, with specific ranges designed to help with gastrointestinal inflammation, joint problems, allergies and skin complaints, to name a few.
All you need to do is order a kit online and fill in our questionnaire about your dog and their general health. We will then send the kit out to you by post. You then just need to collect a sample and return it to us, again by post. Once the test is performed, we will email the results directly to you.
You do not need to get your vet’s permission to test, or talk to them about performing the test beforehand. We do recommend that you pass on a copy of your test results to your regular vets, as it may help them in understanding your pet’s current health, and any future complaints they may have.