PAWS AND MICROBES: INVESTIGATING THE FELINE MICROBIOME AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH AND DISEASE

The critical role of microbiota in animal health forms the basis of this comprehensive investigation into the microbial diversity in felines. This study explores the microbiota in several anatomical sites: the gut, oropharynx, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and blood. The findings reveal a complex and highly individualized microbial landscape across each body site. Key bacterial families associated with digestion, immune regulation, and energy metabolism were identified within the gut, with significant variations noted on an inter-individual and gender-specific level. The analysis of oropharynx and bronchoalveolar microbiota demonstrates the dominance of specific bacterial families, again with individual and gender-specific variations. A novel examination of the blood microbiota uncovers individual variations and significant gender-based differences, suggesting the presence of gender-specific microbial patterns in the bloodstream. These findings underscore the necessity for further exploration of the functional roles of specific microbial families and their potential associations with health outcomes. This study lays the groundwork for the development of personalized treatments and interventions for improved feline health management, based on a deeper understanding of the feline microbiota.