Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fecal transplant improves gut health in dogs with chronic enteropathy
By Vecchiato, C G et al.·Published in Scientific reports·2025·Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effect of faecal microbial transplantation on clinical outcome, faecal microbiota and metabolome in dogs with chronic enteropathy refractory to diet.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with chronic gastrointestinal issues that didn't improve with diet were treated with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). After the procedure, many of the dogs showed significant improvement in their symptoms, with 17 out of 20 dogs feeling better within a month. The treatment also positively affected their gut bacteria and metabolites. Even a year later, 10 dogs remained stable, suggesting that FMT can be a helpful option for dogs with chronic enteropathy that doesn't respond to diet changes.
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Abstract
Chronic enteropathy (CE) is a common complaint in canine gastroenterology. Recently, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) gained attention as a treatment strategy. However, the efficacy and long-term impact of FMT is still unclear. Clinical index (CIBDAI), faecal microbiota and metabolome were monitored in 20 CE dogs refractory to diet before (T0) and 3 months (T3) after FMT. Further data were retrospectively collected up to 1-year after FMT. Significant improvements were observed in CIBDAI, Dysbiosis Index (DI), and primary (PBAs) and secondary (SBAs) faecal bile acids and propionate one month (T1) after FMT (CIBDAI (median and range): T0 5 (1-9) vs. T1 1 (0-5), p < 0.0001; DI (median and range): T0 -0.1 (-5.6 to 3.8) vs. T1 -2.1 (-5.7 to 4.7), p < 0.05; PBAs decreased by 57%, SBAa increased by 41%; propionate increased by 20%). According to CIBDAI, 17 dogs clinically improved up to T3, and 10 dogs remained clinically stable up to one year after FMT. Alpha- and beta-diversity of the faecal microbiota of CE dogs did not differ, neither before nor after FMT, from that of 17 healthy controls. The results highlight that CE dogs refractory to diet with mild clinical signs and dysbiosis may benefit long-term from treatment with FMT.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40199985/