The microbiome in puppies and kittens
Are antibiotics the treatment of choice in case of diarrhea?
Some studies show antibiotics can be as effective as administering a probiotic, or sometimes as effective as no medicine at all. However, this does not mean that antibiotics should never be used, but that veterinarians should be cautious when prescribing antibiotics, since they can have a significant impact on the microbiome.
How to approach dysbiosis?
The causes of dysbiosis can be numerous, and must be taken into account when devising the therapeutic approach to dysbiosis. Many experts consider dietary change to be the first line of treatment, as it can address many of the underlying causes by improving digestibility, leading to a reduction in food substrate and subsequently limiting bacterial proliferation. Probiotics can improve the gut barrier of function. Prebiotics can help increase the number of beneficial bacteria. Antibiotics can also play a role as they can help control bacterial overgrowth.
What about fecal transplant?
Fecal transplant consists of transferring the stools and therefore the microbiome of the healthy donor into an affected individual. This is an emerging treatment in veterinary medicine, and only preliminary results are available, but they certainly require further research.
To learn more, watch the full video!
You may also be interested in watching the following videos:
- Supplements during gestation
- The importance of Nutrition in newborns
- Milk replacers for Veterinarians
Share on social media