Presentation Description / Summary: Obesity is a growing epidemic in companion animals. Evidence is mounting that the gut microbiota contributes to the “obesogenic” phenotype, and rational manipulation of this ecosystem may confer a health benefit in dogs and cats suffering from obesity. During this session, participants will learn the role the gut microbiome plays in companion animal obesity. Comparative murine and human studies will be presented to provide proof of concept examples of how the gut microbiome and obesity are intricately linked. We will also review how modulation of the gut microbiota could help to fight obesity. Specifically, we will review ongoing veterinary clinical trials (SLIM studies) investigating the therapeutic potential of fecal microbiota transplantation to facility weight loss in companion animals.
Learning Objectives:
Define the role of the gut microbiota in obesity.
Explain how modulation of the gut microbiota could impact obesity in dogs and cats.
Explain how fecal microbiota transplant could confer a health benefit in obesity in dogs and cats.
