Abstract: Background: Wheat dextrin is a soluble fermentable fiber that has in vitro effects on the fecal microbiome and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production.
Objective: To determine the prebiotic effect of wheat dextrin on major fecal bacterial taxa and SCFA concentrations in dogs with chronic diarrhea.
Animals: 17 client-owned dogs with a history of chronic diarrhea
Methods: Randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nine dogs received wheat dextrin powder and 8 dogs received maltodextrin powder (placebo) mixed with their food daily for 4 weeks (>20 kg body weight: 6 teaspoons/day; < 20 kg: 3 teaspoons/day). Canine dysbiosis index (DI) was calculated using qPCR abundances of select bacterial taxa, and fecal SCFA concentrations (acetate, butyrate, propionate) were measured via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry before and 4-weeks after supplementation. Fecal scores were recorded by pet owners for 7 days prior to starting the powder supplement and during the 4-week supplementation period. Paired t-test with false discovery rate correction was used for analysis.
Results: Dogs in the treatment group were supplemented a median dose of 0.4 g/kg/day of soluble fiber (range, 0.2-0.9 g/kg/day). The fecal DI, abundances of Faecalibacterium, Turicibacter, Blautia, Fusobacterium, and SCFA concentrations were not significantly different at week 4 when compared to baseline in either group (Table). Average fecal score was not significantly different after 4-weeks of supplementation when compared to baseline.
Conclusion: Wheat dextrin was well tolerated when supplemented to dogs with chronic diarrhea, however, did not alter the fecal abundance of taxa known to ferment dietary fiber to SCFAs in the colon.
