Sarah-Jane White I recently had the opportunity to try out the Biome9 GutDiscovery Test for my beloved 10-year-old French Bulldog, Dolly. With Dolly facing challenges like IVDD and the aftermath of a salmonella incident, I was keen to explore ways to optimise her diet and support her gut health in her senior years.
The process of collecting the sample for the test was surprisingly simple and straightforward, if a little gross! The kit provided everything needed to scoop a small kidney bean sized blob of Dolly’s stool and send it back for analysis.
However, there was a slight hiccup with the first sample, which was deemed contaminated upon opening. Nonetheless, the customer service team swiftly addressed the issue and sent out a replacement kit, which proved successful.
The Results
After a few weeks of anticipation, the results arrived in a comprehensive report, divided into two parts, an overview with recommendations, and a very detailed analysis. The report provided the information about Dolly’s gut microbiome, highlighting her healthy diversity score. However, it also revealed some areas of concern, notably her inability to digest protein efficiently and the presence of salmonella enterica in high levels, likely stemming from a previous raw food episode.
What impressed me most about the report was its actionable insights and personalised recommendations with a clear plan for the next 4 months and onwards. Dolly’s BiomeVitality® Care Plan outlined priority areas for improvement, including her protein digestion, joint health, immunological function, and gut inflammation.
zThe report offered two pages of dietary recommendations tailored to Dolly’s specific needs, along with a subscription offer for precision supplements from Biome9. Some of the suggestions included adding more Omega-3 and immune boosting extras like spinach, almonds, red peppers, broccoli, and ginger. Superfoods like sardines were on the list and Dolly used to eat them, but they’re so stinky! But, I’ve bought dried ones to give her instead of her usual treats.
BIOME9 BiomeBites®
The offer from Biome9 to purchase specific BIOME9 BiomeBites® Supplements to help create better gut microbiome balance was good. Dolly was recommended three steps, Restore, Repopulate and Optimise with their products:
These supplements are priced just shy of £70 a month. Based on two chews a day it works out about £2 a day on chews which isn’t that unreasonable considering dental sticks on average are £1 each.
Overall thoughts
While the test doesn’t diagnose specific problems or diseases, it provides invaluable insights into what’s happening in your dog’s gut. For pet owners like myself, who are proactive about their furry companions’ health, the Biome9 GutDiscovery test offers a fascinating glimpse into their digestive well-being. I would highly recommend it to anyone dealing with digestive issues or looking to optimise their pet’s diet for better health outcomes.
In conclusion, the Biome9 GutDiscovery test proved to be a valuable tool in understanding Dolly’s gut health and guiding us toward targeted interventions to support her overall well-being. With its user-friendly process, detailed reports, and actionable recommendations, it’s a worthwhile investment for any pet parent committed to providing the best possible care for their furry friend.
