2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Both copy number assays identified cobalamin-deficient Shar-Peis with a moderate sensitivity and a high specificity, and a positive cut-off signal on at least one assay had the highest diagnostic accuracy. The characterization of the fecal microbial composition and diversity of different species can demonstrate species-specific associations and provide insights on how self and external factors shape the bacterial communities inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. The comparison of data from two host species of the same genus, such as coyotes (Canis latrans) and dogs (Canis canis), with known feeding and environmental behaviors, is a useful model to access these aspects, which, in the future, will help to understand the influence of the microbiota on host development, nutrient assimilation and susceptibility to diseases. This study aim was to characterize the fecal microbiome of coyotes and compare it to healthy pet dogs.