Preliminary Measurement of Faecal Short‐Chain Fatty Acids in Dogs With Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetic, propionic and butyric acids, are key gut microbiota metabolites with anti‐inflammatory properties. Lower SCFA levels have been observed in human patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and have been shown to be able to predict disease development. Although differences in faecal SCFA concentrations have been described in other canine diseases, such studies are lacking in canine (c)AD. Hypothesis/Objectives To measure SCFA concentrations in the faeces of cAD‐diagnosed and healthy dogs to assess potential differences. Animals The study included 25 client‐owned dogs with cAD and 27 healthy controls. Materials and Methods Owners collected faecal samples which were frozen at −80°C for ≤ 4 months. Gas chromatography was used to analyse acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations. Results Mann–Whitney U ‐tests revealed significantly lower concentrations in acetic ( p < 0.001), propionic ( p = 0.0271) and butyric acids ( p < 0.001) in the group of dogs with cAD compared with the control group. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance This is the first report on the measurement of faecal SCFAs in dogs with cAD. This pilot study highlights potential links between SCFA levels and cAD, suggesting possible future therapeutic and biomarker applications. A larger‐scale study is recommended to validate these findings.