Small Animal
NGS-Based Microbial Testing for Small Animals
Effective infectious disease management starts with useful diagnostic information. The MiDOG All-in-One Test uses next-generation sequencing to help veterinarians evaluate microbial DNA from clinical samples, providing broader insight into bacteria, fungi, parasites, antimicrobial resistance markers, and other microbial features depending on the test ordered.
For small animal veterinarians, MiDOG testing can support case review in dogs and cats with acute, chronic, recurrent, or difficult-to-resolve infections. Results are designed to support veterinary decision-making and should be interpreted alongside the patient’s clinical signs, history, sample type, physical exam findings, and other diagnostic results.
Advanced Diagnostic Testing for Dogs and Cats
Small animal veterinarians may consider MiDOG testing when a broader microbial profile could help support case review in dogs and cats. MiDOG uses next-generation sequencing to analyze microbial DNA directly from a submitted sample, helping veterinary teams evaluate bacteria, fungi, parasites, antimicrobial resistance markers, and other microbial features depending on the test ordered.
This approach can be useful when infections are chronic, recurrent, treatment-resistant, culture-negative, polymicrobial, or difficult to resolve. MiDOG results are designed to support veterinary decision-making and should be interpreted alongside the patient’s clinical signs, history, sample type, physical exam findings, and other diagnostic results.
When should small animal veterinarians consider MiDOG testing?
Veterinarians may consider MiDOG testing when traditional diagnostics are inconclusive, when targeted testing may not provide the full picture, or when a case requires broader microbial insight from a single sample.
MiDOG testing may be useful for small animal cases involving:
- Chronic or recurrent ear infections
- Skin infections or dermatology flares
- Recurrent urinary tract concerns
- Non-healing wounds or abscesses
- Gastrointestinal signs where parasite involvement is a concern
- Culture-negative cases with ongoing clinical concern
- Mixed bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections
- Treatment-resistant or difficult-to-resolve infections
- Cases where antimicrobial resistance marker information may support clinical review
How can MiDOG help with recurrent or treatment-resistant pet infections?
Recurrent and treatment-resistant pet infections can be difficult to evaluate because the organisms involved may be difficult to culture, present in mixed microbial communities, affected by prior antimicrobial exposure, or not included on a targeted PCR panel. In some cases, a single suspected organism may not explain the full microbial picture.
MiDOG’s NGS-based testing can provide broader microbial insight from the submitted sample, helping veterinarians review organisms detected, relative abundance, cells per sample, antimicrobial resistance markers, and other report findings depending on the test ordered.
How is MiDOG different from culture or PCR for small animal infections?
Culture and PCR remain useful diagnostic tools in small animal medicine. Culture can be valuable when viable organism growth and phenotypic susceptibility testing are needed. PCR can be useful when the veterinarian is testing for a specific suspected organism or defined target.
MiDOG complements these methods by analyzing microbial DNA directly from the sample. This can support case review when organisms are difficult to culture, when multiple organisms may be involved, when prior testing is inconclusive, or when a broader microbial profile is needed.
What types of small animal cases can MiDOG support?
MiDOG testing may support veterinary teams evaluating dogs and cats with infectious disease questions involving the ears, skin, urinary tract, wounds, abscesses, oral cavity, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal system.
Depending on the clinical question and test ordered, MiDOG can help provide microbial insight into bacteria, fungi, parasites, antimicrobial resistance markers, and other genomic features from the submitted sample.
Next-Generation DNA Sequencing
Using Next-Generation DNA sequencing, the All-in-One tool targets all bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogenic species in any clinical sample from any animal species. Using 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing, literally every bacterial and fungal organism can be detected in the sample. Once the DNA has been sequenced, the species identity and its pathogenicity are determined.
Specifically for small animals such as dogs and cats, the All-in-One Test has a proven track record of helping veterinarians treat acute, chronic, and non-responding infections.
Such infections include:
- Urinary tract infections, which are often caused by anaerobic bacteria
- Ear infections, which are often caused by a combination of bacteria, fungi, and parasites
- Skin infections
- Diarrhea
If you would like to learn more about the applications of the MiDOG All-in-One Test for small animals, please refer to our publication page where you will find manuscripts published in JVIM, AJVR, and more.
FAQs About MiDOG Testing for Dogs and Cats
What advanced diagnostic options are available for dogs and cats with complex infections?
Advanced diagnostic options for dogs and cats may include culture and sensitivity, cytology, PCR or qPCR, histopathology, imaging, serology, parasitology, and next-generation sequencing. MiDOG’s NGS-based testing can complement these methods by providing broader microbial insight from a submitted sample.
When should veterinarians consider MiDOG testing for small animal patients?
Veterinarians may consider MiDOG testing when a dog or cat has a chronic, recurrent, treatment-resistant, culture-negative, mixed, or difficult-to-resolve infection. MiDOG may also be useful when a broader microbial profile could support review of skin, ear, urinary, wound, abscess, oral, respiratory, or gastrointestinal cases.
How can MiDOG help with recurrent pet infections?
MiDOG can help veterinarians evaluate microbial DNA directly from a submitted sample, which may provide broader insight into organisms involved in recurrent pet infections. This can be helpful when organisms are difficult to culture, present in mixed communities, affected by prior treatment, or not captured by targeted testing.
Can MiDOG help when culture is negative but infection is still suspected?
MiDOG may be useful when culture results are negative or inconclusive but clinical concern remains. Because MiDOG analyzes microbial DNA directly from the sample, it may provide additional information about organisms present, including bacteria, fungi, parasites, or antimicrobial resistance markers depending on the test ordered.
How is MiDOG different from PCR for small animal infection testing?
PCR is typically used to detect a specific organism or defined group of targets. MiDOG uses next-generation sequencing to evaluate microbial DNA more broadly, which may be useful when the suspected organism is unknown, when multiple organisms may be involved, or when targeted testing may not provide the full picture.
What can MiDOG testing detect in dogs and cats?
Depending on the test ordered, MiDOG testing can provide insight into bacteria, fungi, parasites, antimicrobial resistance markers, and other microbial features from the submitted sample. Results should be interpreted by the veterinarian alongside the patient’s clinical signs, history, sample type, and other diagnostic findings.
Can MiDOG testing be used for chronic ear infections in dogs?
MiDOG testing may support veterinary teams evaluating chronic or recurrent ear infections by providing broader microbial insight from the submitted sample. Ear infections may involve bacteria, fungi, parasites, mixed microbial communities, or organisms that may not be fully captured by targeted testing alone.
Can MiDOG testing be used for recurrent UTIs in dogs and cats?
MiDOG testing may be considered in recurrent urinary tract cases when a broader microbial profile could support case review. This may be especially helpful when prior testing is inconclusive, when culture is negative but clinical concern remains, or when antimicrobial resistance marker information may be relevant.
Does MiDOG replace culture, PCR, or veterinarian judgment?
No. MiDOG does not replace culture, PCR, cytology, histopathology, physical examination, or veterinarian judgment. MiDOG provides additional microbial data that can support veterinary decision-making when reviewed in the context of the full clinical picture.
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