Impacts to canine dermal microbiota associated with repeated bathing

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Dermatology
• Microbiology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Working dogs frequently encounter environmental contaminants requiring regular bathing.
• The effects of frequent bathing on the canine dermal microbiome are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of repeated daily bathing on the composition and diversity of the canine dermal microbiota.
• To characterize alterations in microbial populations following a 14-day bathing regimen.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen Labrador retrievers were bathed daily for 14 days with a dilute dish detergent solution.
• Dermal microbial DNA was collected via sterile swabs over 49 days and analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.
• Analysis included assessments of alpha diversity, beta diversity, and microbial relative abundance.

Main Results:

• Daily bathing significantly increased microbial diversity (Shannon diversity, Chao1) and rare taxa.
• The relative abundance of key phyla, including Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, was significantly decreased (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Repeated daily bathing with dilute dish detergent significantly disrupted the healthy canine dermal microbiota.
• These changes may have adverse effects on canine skin health, necessitating further research.