Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fecal transplant treatment for chronic diarrhea in a ferret
By Sean J. Ravel & Victoria M. Hollifield·Published in bioRxiv·2023·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in a Domestic Ferret Suffering from Chronic Diarrhea and Maldigestion–Fecal Microbiota and Clinical Outcome: A Case Report
- Species:
- rodent
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old spayed female ferret was brought in for chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and maldigestion. To help, the vet performed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using an enema, which initially improved her weight but did not provide a lasting solution. Over time, the ferret's gut bacteria became more similar to those of a healthy donor, but her symptoms eventually returned. This case suggests that while FMT can help restore gut health, it may not be a permanent fix for chronic gastrointestinal issues in ferrets.
People also search for: ferret chronic diarrhea treatment · fecal microbiota transplant ferret · ferret weight loss causes
Abstract
This case report describes the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) administered via enema in a 4-year-old spayed, champagne Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with chronic diarrhea, maldigestion and weight loss. We aimed to establish a protocol for FMT as a novel therapeutic treatment for chronic diarrhea in domestic ferrets. We mapped the fecal microbiome by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to track the patient’s fecal microbiota throughout the treatment and observation period. Initial oral FMTs were associated with a temporary weight improvement but subsequent treatments, via enema and oral delivery, showed varied outcomes. Molecular analysis highlighted distinct gut microbiota composition profiles between the healthy donor and the diseased ferret. The diseased ferret initially exhibited high abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia, and Enterobacter, which ultimately normalized to level like those found in the donor ferret. Overall, the gut microbiota of the recipient became more similar to the donor microbiota using a Yue-Clayton theta coefficients analysis. After a restoration of the gut microbiota and clinical improvement, the recipient’s symptoms returned. Future studies are warranted to map the microbiome of a larger population of domestic ferrets to investigate a potential correlation between fecal microbiota profiles and chronic/acute gastrointestinal disorders.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/38828210