As microbiome testing becomes an increasingly valuable tool in veterinary medicine, accurately interpreting results remains a significant clinical challenge. Healthy canine gut microbiomes naturally fluctuate over time, making it essential to distinguish expected biological variation from clinically meaningful dysbiosis. In this RACE-approved webinar, Dr. Connie Rojas, PhD, and Dr. Holly Ganz, PhD, review findings from a longitudinal study that followed healthy dogs over one to two years using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Participants will explore how microbial communities change over time despite stable diets and the absence of antibiotics or other medications. The session translates current research into practical guidance for interpreting microbiome test results, evaluating transient microbial changes, and communicating findings confidently with pet owners.

Learning Objectives

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the current understanding of temporal stability and natural variability in the healthy canine fecal microbiome.
• Differentiate longitudinal microbiome studies from cross-sectional research and explain their clinical relevance.
• Interpret measures of microbiome variability, including alpha diversity, beta diversity, and taxon-specific fluctuations.
• Recognize bacterial taxa that demonstrate high natural variability versus those that remain relatively stable over time.
• Evaluate the relationship between transient Giardia infections and changes in the gut microbiome.
• Assess the clinical significance of fluctuations in commonly discussed taxa, including Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens.
• Apply healthy reference intervals and longitudinal trends when interpreting microbiome testing results.
• Develop evidence-based strategies for communicating microbiome findings and recommendations to pet owners.