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Boucard et al. Age and Giardia intestinalis Infection Impact Canine Gut Microbiota. Microorganisms. 2021;9(9):1862
🦠 Post-Live Summary: Giardia & the Canine Gut
In Wednesday’s live we looked at a study exploring how Giardia infection affects the developing gut microbiome in puppies (even when those puppies appear completely healthy).
A key takeaway was that “asymptomatic” doesn’t necessarily mean “unaffected.”In this study, puppies showed no diarrhoea and maintained normal weight, yet there were measurable changes in gut bacteria and markers of low-grade inflammation over time.
The research highlighted that:
- Parasite load mattered more than a simple positive/negative result
- Age and timing influenced how the gut microbiome responded
- Some beneficial bacteria declined as Giardia burden increased
- Subtle, chronic inflammation may develop quietly, without obvious clinical signs
Overall, the study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that gut health is about far more than stool quality. It plays a role in immune development, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.
As always, this was an observational study with limitations (small sample size, single environment), so it’s about understanding patterns, not jumping to conclusions or treatment decisions.
I’ve attached a short PDF summary for anyone who’d like to explore the findings in more detail and reflect on what this might mean for the dogs in their care.
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Boucard et al. Age and Giardia intestinalis Infection Impact Canine Gut Microbiota. Microorganisms. 2021;9(9):1862
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