Desulfovibrio piger is a sulfate reducing bacterium, meaning it can use sulfur containing compounds during fermentation in the gut. This process can produce hydrogen sulfide, a gas with a strong smell that may affect the gut environment when present in higher amounts. Higher levels of Desulfovibrio piger may reflect increased sulfur related fermentation and may be seen together with strong smelling gas or stool, altered stool quality, mucus in stool, or signs of digestive irritation. Desulfovibrio piger levels can help show whether sulfur related fermentation is a noticeable part of the dog’s gut microbiome pattern.
