As pet owners, we do everything we can to keep our furry friends safe—regular vet visits, the best food, plenty of exercise, and lots of love. But what if there were a hidden threat lurking that could strike your dog or cat without warning? 

The Baldwin Park Animal Care Center in Los Angeles was recently hit by an outbreak of Streptococcus zooepidemicus, commonly known as “Strep zoo.” This highly contagious bacterial infection primarily affects dogs, with symptoms mirroring those of Kennel Cough, such as coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. 

Strep zoo is especially dangerous for dogs with weakened immune systems, where it can quickly escalate to pneumonia and, in severe cases, even become fatal. While the risk to humans is low, the possibility of transmission still exists, making it crucial to exercise caution in spaces where animals and people interact closely.

At its core, the outbreak underscores the delicate balance of the microbiome—the community of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that inhabit living organisms. In both animals and humans, a healthy microbiome plays a vital role in supporting the immune system, preventing infections, and maintaining overall health. When in dysbiosis (a state of microbiome imbalance, harmful pathogens like strep zoo can not only take hold, but also lead to devastating effects.

As a company focused on the skin microbiome, intimately familiar with bacteria, fungi, and viruses,  we see this as an opportunity to emphasize the potential of phage therapy in combating bacterial infections. Bacteriophages, or phages, are nano-microbes that specifically target and kill specific bacteria (while leaving good bacteria alone), making them a promising tool in the fight against bacterial outbreaks like strep zoo.