Abstract: Background – Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a growing therapeutic modality in gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal diseases. No experimental canine studies on safety have been conducted and adverse events (AE) are difficult to differentiate from primary disease exacerbation in patients with pre-existing disease.
Hypothesis/Objectives – To determine the safety and AE of FMT in dogs.
Animals – Ten clinically healthy, client-owned dogs.
Methods – Prospective pilot study using a single rectal enema of 5g/kg. Owners recorded AE using a modified canine IBD activity index and fecal scores based on the Nestlé Purina fecal scoring system. Stool and blood samples were collected at days 0 (baseline), 1, 4, 10, and 28 following FMT. Dysbiosis Index was calculated via abundance of 9 bacteria taxa using qPCR. AE were graded using the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (VCOG-CTCAE v2). A repeated-measures mixed-effects analysis was used.
Results – Complete blood count, serum biochemistry, C-Reactive Protein, serum cytokines IL-2, IL-6 , IL-8, and TNF-α, peripheral lymphocytes (CD79a+, CD3+, CD8+, CD4+, FOXp3+), and fecal score before and after FMT did not significantly change. Owners of 9/10 dogs reported self-resolving minor clinical signs of vomiting (n=4), diarrhea (n=3), and lethargy (n=2), all categorized as grade I. Dysbiosis index did not differ significantly from baseline following FMT (p=0.18).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance – Data from this pilot study supports the safety of FMT administration in dogs, as FMT did not induce dysbiosis and had minimal AE.
