Undiagnosed Symptoms? Try An At-home Microbiome Test!

Microbiome imbalance can impact the entire body. Learn more about your fur baby’s gut health with an at-home microbiome test.

The gut is home to a diverse community of microorganisms that play an important role in your dog’s or cat’s overall well-being. When this delicate ecosystem falls out of balance, it can disrupt normal gut function and potentially contribute to a variety of health concerns. Gut microbiome imbalances can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are so numerous. But a new at-home microbiome test gives you cutting-edge insights into the state of your dog’s or cat’s gut health and, with your veterinarian’s help, can help you get to the root cause of symptoms.

The connection between the gut microbiome and whole-body health

The gut microbiome plays an important role in total-body health. This community of microorganisms supports healthy digestion as well as:

• Nutrient absorption
• Immune function
• Metabolism
• Nervous system and brain health
• Skin and coat
• Hormones

Many everyday things can impact the microbiome

Microbiome health relies on a delicate balance of the beneficial microorganisms that make up the community. When that natural balance gets disrupted, it leads to dysbiosis. For example, if your dog or cat takes antibiotics, it can kill some of the beneficial bacteria in the gut and cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Many factors can influence the gut microbiome, and some of the most common include diet, nutrient deficiencies, stress, illness, medications, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and glyphosate.

Symptoms that indicate it’s time to test their microbiome

Gastrointestinal issues like recurring diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and excessive gas are some of the most obvious signs of microbiome imbalance. However, the symptoms can show up in many parts of the body as well and can include:

• Food sensitivity
• Weight loss or reduced appetite
• Changes in stool frequency, consistency, or odor
• Poor skin and coat health
• Recurring hot spots or skin/ear infections
• Excessive shedding
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Low energy or fatigue

If your dog or cat has ongoing digestive issues or the above symptoms and routine tests haven’t provided clear answers, an at-home microbiome test may offer valuable insights.

The at-home microbiome test from VDI can make diagnostics and treatment easier

VDI has an at-home test that enables you to test for imbalances, reduced microbial diversity, and other disruptions in your dog’s or cat’s microbiome. From there, you can take the results to your veterinarian to come up with a personalized treatment plan that will help get your fur baby on the track to better gut health. Your veterinarian will help you determine the best course of action, which can include things like dietary adjustments, fiber strategies, probiotics, and more.

Visit VDI to learn more about their at-home microbiome test kits for dogs and cats.

The post Undiagnosed symptoms? Try an at-home microbiome test! appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.