Post‑transport recovery trajectory of the canine gut microbiome and metabolomeOA

Background Transportation induces a multisystem stress response in companion animals,yet the integrated recovery dynamics across physiological,microbial,and metabolic domains remain poorly characterized.This study comprehensively tracked the 7-day recovery trajectory in dogs following road transport by analyzing clinical parameters,fecal microbiome and metabolome.Results Time-dependent changes were observed across domains,with differing temporal patterns.Fecal consistency improved rapidly,while behavioral scores exhibited a decrease followed by stabilization.Microbial alpha diversity initially decreased,with significant community restructuring persisting throughout recovery,culminating in a new stable state distinct from the arrival(D0)state.This shift was characterized by early enrichment of Fusobacterium and Clostridium sensu stricto 1,followed by late dominance of Erysipelatoclostridium,contrasting with the initial post-transport(D0)community dominated by Prevotella 9,Lactobacillus,Phascolarctobacterium,Anaerobiospirillum,Parabacteroides,and Prevotellaceae GA6A1 group.Metabolomic profiling confirmed a sustained metabolic shift,involving pathways in the biosynthesis of steroid and unsaturated fatty acids and the metabolism of butanoate and several amino acids.Strong cross-domain correlations linked specific microbial genera and metabolites with behavioral improvement,underscoring gut-brain axis involvement.Conclusion By D7,several measures remained distinct from the arrival(D0)state,indicating persistent multi-system differences during the first week after transport.These findings elucidate the complex,coordinated adaptation to transport stress,highlighting ongoing clinical,microbial,and metabolic differences by D7 and providing a framework for interventions aimed at enhancing welfare and resilience in transported companion animals.