Gut Microbiota Variation in Aging Dogs with Osteoarthritis

Gut microbiota composition plays a crucial role in host health and may be influenced by age and disease conditions. This study investigated the gut microbiota diversity of 175 dogs across three age groups (Junior (20–46 months), Adult (47–92 months), and Senior (93–168 months), and examined the impact of osteoarthritis on microbial composition. Alpha diversity analysis using the Shannon and Chao1 indices showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) among age groups or between healthy and osteoarthritic dogs, suggesting stable microbial diversity across life stages and health conditions. Beta diversity analysis based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity indices demonstrated substantial overlap in gut microbiota composition across age groups, with no significant clustering observed (P > 0.05). This indicates that aging and osteoarthritis do not induce significant shifts in microbial beta diversity, although high inter-individual variability was noted. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis identified distinct bacterial taxa associated with different age groups. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis identified distinct bacterial taxa associated with different age groups. Junior dogs exhibited enrichment in Blautia, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Clostridium, while Adult dogs were characterized by higher abundances of Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Ruminococcaceae. Senior dogs had increased representation of Prevotella and Ruminococcus. In osteoarthritic dogs, Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Clostridiaceae, and Coprobacillus were significantly enriched, suggesting potential microbiota shifts associated with osteoarthritis. Overall, these findings indicate that while gut microbiota diversity remains stable across different life stages, specific bacterial taxa were differentially enriched in relation to age and osteoarthritis. This study enhances our understanding of gut microbiota dynamics in dogs and provides insights into potential age- and disease-related microbial signatures.