Flora of Healthy Dogs: [Part] 3. Incidence and Distribution of Spirochetes in the Digestive Tract of Dogs

Abstract : The spirochetes found in the feces of dogs were divided into three categories based on morphology. These were: borrelias, treponemes, and fairly large double-contoured organisms. Some variation was observed within each group. Classification or further subdivision was not attempted because definitive characteristics necessary for such a purpose were not available. The live organisms could be readily demonstrated when a wet preparation was viewed in phase contrast illumination under 400 X magnification. Of 54 dogs examined, nearly 80% had more than one type of spirochete in their feces. In addition, 16.7% carried a single type. Only 3. 7% of dogs were found to be free of spirochetes. All three types of organisms were encountered in almost the same percentage of animals, although in some animals the borrelias were present in greater numbers than the remaining two types. It appears that the mere presence of these organisms in the feces cannot be interpreted as a sign of illness. However, when found in large numbers, they may be related to disease.