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Abstract Background Extrinsic and intrinsic factors have been shown to influence nasal microbiota (NM) in humans. Very few studies investigated the association between nasal microbiota and factors such as facial/body conformation, age, and environment in dogs. The objectives are to investigate variations in NM in healthy dogs with different facial and body conformations. A total of 46 dogs of different age, living environment and from 3 different breed groups were recruited: 22 meso−/dolichocephalic medium to large breed dogs, 12 brachycephalic dogs and 12 terrier breeds. The nasal bacterial microbiota was assessed through sequencing of 16S rRNA gene (V1-V3 regions) amplicons. Results We showed major differences in the NM composition together with increased richness and α-diversity in brachycephalic dogs, compared to meso−/dolichocephalic medium to large dogs and dogs from terrier breeds. Conclusion Healthy brachycephalic breeds and their unique facial conformation is associated with a distinct NM profile. Description of the NM in healthy dogs serves as a foundation for future researches assessing the changes associated with disease and the modulation of NM communities as a potential treatment.

Background: In dogs with sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA) the utility of PCR in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease after treatment has not been assessed. Objectives: To evaluate the presence of fungal DNA using quantitative PCR targeting Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspfum) and Aspergillus spp. (PanAsp), and PCR targeting multiple fungal species (PanFun), in samples obtained from nasal cavities of dogs with SNA, other nasal diseases and healthy dogs. Animals: Sixty‐two dogs including 20 with SNA, 12 with cured SNA (of which 10 are from the SNA group), 20 dogs with Non‐SNA nasal disease, and 20 healthy dogs. Methods: Prospective cross‐sectional study. Aspfum, PanAsp, and PanFun were performed on blindly collected nasal swabs obtained in anesthetized dogs. Results: In SNA dogs, Aspfum and PanAsp were positive in 13/20 and 14/20 dogs. In all dogs in the 3 other groups, A. fumigatus DNA was not detected using Aspfum. PanAsp was positive in 3 non‐SNA dogs: 1 with cured SNA and 2 with Non‐SNA nasal disease. A Ct cut‐off value of 33.3 for Aspfum demonstrated 65% sensitivity and 100% specificity. A Ct cut‐off value of 34.5 for PanAsp demonstrated 70% sensitivity and 96.2% specificity. PanFun was positive in 16/20, 12/12, 19/20, and 7/20 dogs in the SNA, cured SNA, Non‐SNA, and healthy groups, respectively. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Aspfum and PanAsp on blindly collected nasal swabs can be useful for the detection of SNA at diagnosis and at cure, especially when more invasive methods are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether there is a benefit of using pre‐ and postoperative antacid treatment in dogs undergoing surgery for brachycephalic syndrome. To assess the use of an obstruction manoeuvre during endoscopy for the detection of dynamic gastro‐oesophageal junction abnormalities. Materials and Methods: Thirty‐six client‐owned brachycephalic dogs were prospectively included in a randomised trial. Antacid treatment was randomly prescribed in 18 dogs before and after surgery while the other 18 dogs did not receive any gastrointestinal medical treatment. At presentation, at the time of surgery and at recheck, digestive clinical signs and gastro‐oesophageal junction abnormalities were assessed using specific scores. Gastro‐oesophageal junction abnormalities were assessed during endoscopy in standard conditions as well as during endotracheal tube obstruction. This manoeuvre was also applied in an unrelated control group. Results: The results suggest a beneficial effect of antacid treatment on the improvement of digestive clinical signs and lesions in dogs with brachycephalic syndrome undergoing surgery. At postsurgical control 83% of dogs had a digestive clinical score ≤1 in the treated group in contrast to 44% in the non‐treated group and 39% of dogs had a gastro‐oesophageal abnormalities score (during obstruction manoeuvre) ≤1 in the treated group in contrast to 16.7% in the non‐treated group. The use of the obstruction manoeuvre during endoscopic assessment in a control group revealed that gastro‐oesophageal junction movements are negligible in healthy animals. Clinical Significance: The addition of antacid treatment during the pre‐ and postoperative period for brachycephalic dogs undergoing surgery may result in a faster and greater improvement in treated dogs. The obstruction manoeuvre is an interesting technique to improve detection of gastro‐oesophageal junction abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]