Periodontal disease is the most widespread oral disease in dogs. Whilst the involvement of
bacteria in the aetiology of periodontitis is well established the role of individual species and
their complex interactions with the host is not well understood. The objective of this research
was therefore to perform a longitudinal study in dogs to identify the changes that occur in
subgingival bacterial communities during the transition from mild gingivitis to the early
stages of periodontitis (< 25% attachment loss). Subgingival plaque samples were collected …