Post-transport recovery trajectory of the canine gut microbiome and metabolome

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.