Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In the publication entitled “How the Microbiome Affects Canine Health,” the authors, drawing on the most recent literature, analyze the influence of the microbiome on diseases of the dental, heart, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and urinary system. It is noteworthy that only 5 of the 91 referenced articles were published in the 20th century, which makes this work current and highly recommendable for practicing veterinarians.

The authors include only one table in the publication, which leaves the reader with a predominantly text-based manuscript. Therefore, in the reviewer’s opinion, the work should be enriched with figures and diagrams; ideally, each subsection should be supplemented with an appropriate schematic or illustration. Additionally, the authors should include a list of abbreviations used throughout the publication.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Comment:  In the publication entitled “How the Microbiome Affects Canine Health,” the authors, drawing on the most recent literature, analyze the influence of the microbiome on diseases of the dental, heart, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and urinary system. It is noteworthy that only 5 of the 91 referenced articles were published in the 20th century, which makes this work current and highly recommendable for practicing veterinarians.

The authors include only one table in the publication, which leaves the reader with a predominantly text-based manuscript. Therefore, in the reviewer’s opinion, the work should be enriched with figures and diagrams; ideally, each subsection should be supplemented with an appropriate schematic or illustration. Additionally, the authors should include a list of abbreviations used throughout the publication.

Reply: Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! We have added two figures to better reduce the text heavy feeling of the manuscript and to improve summation of key points. We have also added the suggested list of abbreviations to help readers navigate the article.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Overall:  A lot of recent literature around the microbiome focuses on the gut and the health benefits of a healthy microbiome.  This review provides a greater understanding of all microbiota in canines and the causes and effects of how these organisms interact with canine physiology both positively and negatively, making this a more robust and well-rounded review.  Additional suggestions are below.

Abstract:  Overall very well-written.  The abstract covers all major points, but should also include a sentence or two as to the unique features of this review or at least how this review adds additional perspectives or information to this topic.  Please add some additional material to highlight critical features of this review and the added contributions to the field.

Introduction:  The introduction is short, but an appropriate length for this article, highlighting the overall knowledge of the microbiome across different areas of canine physiology. 

Dental:  Overall, very well written.  The section starts with PD which, while an overarching diagnosis for mouth issues in dogs, means the section starts with a formal diagnosis.  I would recommend starting the section (again, just a sentence or two) with a more overall view of microbiota in the mouth before jumping directly into PD to give the reader a greater transition from overall microbiota into the dental and mouth components. 

Cardiac Disease: Great transition from dental to cardiac and the integration of other microbiome environments, such as the gut, and their role in CHF works really well to support this section and show the impact of whole-body health on each section.

Gut Microbiome:  This section begins with a great overall perspective and general section introduction.  Consider using this same approach with the dental section.  It might be worth including some additional comparative studies on the microbiome of the gut from other species.  Cats are included, but it would be helpful to include some additional studies from other species to provide additional context for the benefits and drawbacks of different species in the gut.

Skin:  This section is well written and very focused, especially considering that, to a general reader who may not be involved directly in veterinary sciences, this isn’t a topic that comes up often when discussing the microbiome.  It certainly helps to contextualize this topic in a broader physiological perspective.

Renal: Again, a great section focused on a topic that is often overlooked in discussions fo the microbiome (from general animal research perspectives). 

Conclusion:  The conclusion does a good job of tying everything together and helping the reader formally link how each area of the body affects the overall system and health of the dog. 

Author Response

Comments:

Overall:  A lot of recent literature around the microbiome focuses on the gut and the health benefits of a healthy microbiome.  This review provides a greater understanding of all microbiota in canines and the causes and effects of how these organisms interact with canine physiology both positively and negatively, making this a more robust and well-rounded review.  Additional suggestions are below.

Abstract:  Overall very well-written.  The abstract covers all major points, but should also include a sentence or two as to the unique features of this review or at least how this review adds additional perspectives or information to this topic.  Please add some additional material to highlight critical features of this review and the added contributions to the field.

Introduction:  The introduction is short, but an appropriate length for this article, highlighting the overall knowledge of the microbiome across different areas of canine physiology. 

Dental:  Overall, very well written.  The section starts with PD which, while an overarching diagnosis for mouth issues in dogs, means the section starts with a formal diagnosis.  I would recommend starting the section (again, just a sentence or two) with a more overall view of microbiota in the mouth before jumping directly into PD to give the reader a greater transition from overall microbiota into the dental and mouth components. 

Cardiac Disease: Great transition from dental to cardiac and the integration of other microbiome environments, such as the gut, and their role in CHF works really well to support this section and show the impact of whole-body health on each section.

Gut Microbiome:  This section begins with a great overall perspective and general section introduction.  Consider using this same approach with the dental section.  It might be worth including some additional comparative studies on the microbiome of the gut from other species.  Cats are included, but it would be helpful to include some additional studies from other species to provide additional context for the benefits and drawbacks of different species in the gut.

Skin:  This section is well written and very focused, especially considering that, to a general reader who may not be involved directly in veterinary sciences, this isn’t a topic that comes up often when discussing the microbiome.  It certainly helps to contextualize this topic in a broader physiological perspective.

Renal: Again, a great section focused on a topic that is often overlooked in discussions fo the microbiome (from general animal research perspectives). 

Conclusion:  The conclusion does a good job of tying everything together and helping the reader formally link how each area of the body affects the overall system and health of the dog. 

REPLY: Thank you so much for your kind words and insightful suggestions. We modified the abstract and the dental section according to your advice.