Effect of Enterococcus Faecium Strain SF68 on Gastrointestinal Signs and Fecal Microbiome in Cats Administered Amoxicillin-Clavulanate.

Some cats develop vomiting or diarrhea during administration of some antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate but how often this occurs and the severity of disease is generally unknown. In people, one of the accepted indications for the use of probiotics is to attempt and lessen antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Enterococcus faecium strain SF68 (SF68; Purina® ProPlan® Veterinary Diets; FortiFlora™ Probiotic Supplement) is a commercially available probiotic available in many countries that has been shown to lessen diarrhea rates in cats housed in animal shelters. The objectives of this study were to describe the gastrointestinal abnormalities (clinical and microbiome) associated with the administration of amoxicillin-clavulanate to cats and to determine whether feeding SF68 could ameliorate those abnormalities. Laboratory reared domestic cats were administered amoxicillin-clavulanate for 7 days with or without SF68 for 14 days and monitored for vomiting and diarrhea and for changes in the gastrointestinal microbiome before and after antibiotic administration. Fecal scores > 5 on a 7-point scale were detected in 9 of 13 cats (69.2%) fed SF68 compared to 12 of 14 cats fed the placebo (85.7%). Fecal scores of 7 were only detected in the placebo group and when total diarrhea scores were compared between groups for days 1-11, the cats fed SF68 were statistically lower (P = 0.0058). Administration of amoxicillin-clavulanate led to decreased microbiome diversity, but differences between cats fed SF68 or the placebo were not detected. The results show administering amoxicillin-clavulanate orally to cats commonly induces diarrhea and alters the gastrointestinal microbiome, and that feeding the probiotic SF68 can lessen some associated clinical abnormalities.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for canine H3N8 influenza virus exposure in household dogs in Colorado.

BACKGROUND: Since 2004, canine influenza virus (CIV) has spread throughout the United States. While studies suggest that CIV is commonly detected in shelter dogs, little is known about its prevalence in household dogs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the seroprevalence of CIV in pet dogs presented for care in a veterinary hospital in Colorado and to investigate risk factors that might predispose these dogs to CIV infection. ANIMALS: One hundred and forty dogs presenting to the Community Practice service, 110 dogs seen at other clinical services at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2009, and samples from 75 dogs seen before 2004. METHODS: In this prospective study, samples were tested with hemagglutination inhibition assays, using 3 CIV isolates. To identify risk factors for CIV infection, 140 owners completed questionnaires at time of sampling. RESULTS: CIV seroprevalence was 2.9% (4/140) for dogs seen by the Community Practice service and 4.5% (5/110) for dogs seen by other hospital services (P=.48). All sera collected before 2004 tested negative for CIV. No differences were seen in antibody titers to the 3 CIV isolates tested. Data from the questionnaires indicated an association between CIV seropositivity and canine daycare visits (P<.001). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: CIV seropositivity in household dogs in Colorado is low, although it has increased since 2004. Antibody titers to the 3 CIV isolates were comparable, suggesting that measurable antigenic drift has not yet occurred. Finally, dogs boarded in kennels or attending daycare might be at an increased risk of CIV infection.