Gut Health Case Study: Benson the Pug

Any dog can benefit from a Gut Health Test, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms of dysbiosis or not.

But when symptoms start to impact your dog’s quality of life and all roads of treatment come to a dead end, it feels like all you need is a miracle! 

In this case, that miracle was a Gut Health Test. 

To truly show you what a Gut Health Test can do for the health of your dog, we want to share Benson’s story. 

Here’s Benson’s gut health journey and how a Gut Health Test turned his life around. 

Benson, his gut health journey and being 1 year seizure free

Benson is a 15, nearly 16-year-old senior Pug, who was suffering from grand mal seizures for over 7 months. 

In January 2024, vets advised Benson’s owners that it was time to put him to sleep. This was due to questions around his quality of life, especially after his last seizure left him blind.

Benson’s owners questioned whether his gut health could be connected to his seizures and ill health, with him also suffering from extensive gastrointestinal issues before his seizures. They were advised it was more likely a brain tumour. 

Benson’s owners did some research of their own, delving into the gut-brain axis; this refers to the direct link between your dog’s gut health, gut microbiome and brain function and behaviour. 

How does the gut microbiome link to the brain?

The gut microbiome is a little ecosystem made up predominantly of bacteria and sits in your dog's gut. There are many types and species of bacteria found in the gut microbiome, all of which support the strength and function of many bodily processes. 

Some bacteria found in the microbiome support the health and function of the brain. This includes influencing neurotransmitters, which carry signals from the brain around the body, and vice versa. This mainly affects mood and behaviour, while other bacteria are responsible for the absorption of crucial vitamins and minerals, key in supporting overall brain function and health.

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After delving into the world of gut health and the gut-brain axis, Benson’s owners decided to investigate his gut health via a Gut Health Test. 

When reviewing his results, they found that all of the beneficial bacteria within his gut microbiome had been stripped. Alongside other impacting factors, this was mainly down to a 10-week course of antibiotics he’d been prescribed for a suspected ear infection.

Whilst antibiotics do a great job in solving bacterial infections, they also wreak havoc on your dog’s gut. This is because antibiotics work by clearing out or stunting the growth of bacteria, stopping the further development of infection. However, they can’t distinguish between harmful and beneficial bacteria, wiping out anything and everything. This means after a course of antibiotics, some work is needed to help rebuild and strengthen not only your dog’s gut, but their immune system too. 

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From Benson’s Gut Health Test, his owners were set up with a tailored diet and supplement plan to ensure Benson was getting everything he needed to get his gut health back on track. 

His owners shared:

“Benson's last grand mal seizure was on 25th April 2024. We started a Gut Health Supplement plan in mid-May 2024. 

He has since remained seizure-free - just over 9 months!!! I'm no scientist, but it's clear to see that the supplements have hugely supported Benson's gut health, which in turn has supported the halt of his seizures.”

Benson had his first Gut Health Test in May 2024. After actioning diet recommendations and a tailored Gut Health Supplement plan, his gut health was retested in February 2025.

Whilst the main win lies within Benson being 1 year seizure free, let’s take a look at how his Gut Health Test results improved over time:

• Benson’s InvisibleHealth Score had increased by +18%
  
  
• His microbial Diversity Score had increased by +0.3%
  
  
• His Richness Score had increased by +18%
  
  
• His gut Resilience Score had increased by +15%

Regarding how he combats inflammation and his immunological health, his retest showed:

• His Coat and Skin Score had increased by +49
  
  
• His Immunological Function had increased by +57
  
  
• His Joints and Mobility had increased by +29
  
  
• His score linked to Cardiovascular Health support had increased by +35
  
  
• His score linked to Neurological Behaviour support had increased +36
  
  

If you think a Gut Health Test is the next step for your dog, then look no further than Pooch & Mutt. Offering a simple, at-home Gut Health Test Kit, you too can take a deep dive into your dog’s gut health, and see how diet adaptations and a truly tailored Gut Health Supplement plan can help your dog. Start now to put your dog on the road to optimal health and wellbeing. Explore Gut Health at Pooch & Mutt for more information.