# Dynamic Changes in Gut Microbiota Composition and Function over Time in Suckling Raccoon Dogs

## TL;DR

This study tracks how the gut microbiota of young raccoon dogs changes over time, showing increased diversity and key bacterial groups that may support their health and survival.

## Contribution

The study provides the first detailed characterization of gut microbiota dynamics in suckling raccoon dogs across early developmental stages.

## Key findings

- Gut microbiota richness and diversity increase with age in suckling raccoon dogs, peaking on day 45.
- Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are dominant phyla at all stages, with shifts in genus-level taxa over time.
- Microbiota functions include metabolism, genetic processing, and energy pathways that may benefit raccoon dog health.

## Abstract

Raccoon dogs, as important fur-bearing animals, generate multi-level employment opportunities across agricultural, industrial, and high-end fashion sectors. The survival rate of juvenile raccoon dogs directly determines the total number of animals available for pelt harvesting at year’s end, making scientific rearing of young animals crucial for enhancing economic returns. The gut microbiota plays a fundamental role in juvenile health, and the early postnatal period represents a critical window for microbial colonization. The initial establishment of microbial homeostasis not only influences immediate health status but also exerts long-term effects on metabolic, immune, and neurological development in raccoon dogs. However, the current understanding of gut microbiota dynamics in juvenile raccoon dogs remains limited. Therefore, this study investigated the temporal development of the gut microbiota in suckling raccoon dogs. This study showed that the richness and diversity of gut microbiota increased with age in suckling raccoon dogs. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are dominant phyla at each stage. Further research suggests that the microbiota may benefit raccoons through multiple metabolic pathways. These findings provide data support for improving the survival rate of suckling raccoon dogs.

Raccoon dog fur is a commercially valuable animal product. As the scale of raccoon dog breeding continues to expand, ensuring the health of these animals has become an urgent priority. The gut microbiota plays a central role in regulating animal health; however, current research on the composition of raccoon dog gut microbiota remains limited. This study aimed to characterize changes in the gut microbiota of suckling raccoon dogs across different stages, providing a foundation for future scientific feeding practices. Fecal samples of eight lactating raccoon dogs were collected and tested for microbiota on days 14, 21, and 45. Our results showed that the richness and diversity of microbiota increased with age in suckling raccoon dogs, peaking on the 45th day. Significant separation between groups was observed in both PCoA and NMDS analyses. UPGMA analysis indicated temporal fluctuations in gut microbiota composition. At the phylum level, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant taxa across all stages. LEfSe analysis at the genus level showed that Bacteroides was the most enriched taxon on the 14th day, Fusobacterium on the 21st day, and Prevotella_9 on the 45th day. Tax4Fun and PICRUSt analyses identified metabolism and genetic information processing as the primary functional roles of the gut microbiota. Further investigation suggested that the microbiota may benefit raccoon dogs through membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. These findings establish a theoretical basis for improving the survival rate of suckling raccoon dogs and developing scientifically informed feeding and management protocols.