Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: thedoc on 26/09/2015 01:50:02

Title: Can we distinguish the gut bacteria between different dogs that have eaten the same thing?
Post by: thedoc on 26/09/2015 01:50:02

Paul asked the Naked Scientists:
   
If, When dogs were registered they also gave a sample of their droppings so a profile of the bacteria in their gut could be registered as wel, when they poop on someone's front lawn, a sample of it can be matched, and Joe Bloggs gets a letter in his letterbox with a fine for allowing his dog to litter.
Yes, I know- too expensive,etc,etc. Well at least we can dream.

If two alsations and a goldren retriever are fed the same dog food all their life will they have the same bacteria in their guts or would it be possible to establish distinct profiles for each dog?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Can we distinguish the gut bacteria between different dogs that have eaten the same thing?
Post by: RD on 26/09/2015 02:39:38

Quote from: thedoc on 26/09/2015 01:50:02

Paul asked the Naked Scientists:
... when they poop on someone's front lawn, a sample of it can be matched, and Joe Bloggs gets a letter in his letterbox with a fine for allowing his dog to litter.

Apparently in such cases dog-DNA from the poop can be used to identify the pooper ...
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2015/apr/28/dna-testing-dog-poo-have-to-be-barking-council (http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2015/apr/28/dna-testing-dog-poo-have-to-be-barking-council)

There's a CSI (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI_%28franchise%29) plot in the waiting : dog poo on the shoe identifies the specific dog , which could in-turn identify where the shoe wearer had been.