Abstract: Background: In a previous study, clinical evidence showed that the probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain SF68 could lessen amoxicillin-clavulanate associated diarrhea (1). A number of microbiome and metabolome assessments were made, but definitive explanations for the apparent clinical benefits were not apparent. Since that work, a new feline dysbiosis index (DI) was developed and further exploration of the effects of the probiotic on antibiotic-induced dysbiosis is warranted (2).
Hypothesis/Objectives: To describe results of the feline DI in cats administered amoxicillin-clavulanate with or without the probiotic.
Animals: 27 healthy young adult research cats.
Methods: Cats were randomized into the probiotic (13 cats) or placebo (14 cats) groups (1). The probiotic or placebo was fed 2 hours before the morning dose of amoxicillin-clavulanate with the second dose of antibiotic administered 10 hours later. The probiotic or placebo was administered for 14 days and the antibiotic was administered for 7 days. The fecal microbiome was assessed by qPCR for specific bacterial taxa and the feline DI was calculated (2).
Results: Both groups developed a significant increase in DI by Day 7 and the DI improved significantly in both groups by Day 14 (Figure 1). However, the placebo group was still significantly increased compared to baseline (p=0.028), while the probiotic group was not (p=0.174).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The feline DI is useful to assess changes in fecal microbiota during and after the administration of this antibiotic. The probiotic led to faster recovery of the microbiome as assessed by this feline DI.
