Short- and long-term effects of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or doxycycline on the gastrointestinal microbiome of growing cats

Fecal identification markers impact the feline fecal microbiota

Fecal diagnostics are a mainstay of feline medicine, and fecal identification markers help to distinguish individuals in a multi-cat environment. However, the impact of identification markers on the fecal microbiota are unknown. Given the increased interest in using microbiota endpoints to inform diagnosis and treatment, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of orally supplemented glitter and crayon shavings on the feline fecal microbiota (amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene V4 region). Fecal samples were collected daily from six adult cats that were randomized to receive oral supplementation with either glitter or crayon for two weeks, with a two-week washout before receiving the second marker. No adverse effects in response to marker supplementation were seen for any cat, and both markers were readily identifiable in the feces. Microbiota analysis revealed idiosyncratic responses to fecal markers, where changes in community structure in response to glitter or crayon could not be readily discerned. Given these findings, it is not recommended to administered glitter or crayon shavings as a fecal marker when microbiome endpoints are used, however their clinical use with other diagnostics should still be considered.

Effects of a milk oligosaccharide biosimilar on fecal characteristics, microbiota, and bile acid, calprotectin, and immunoglobulin concentrations of healthy adult dogs treated with metronidazole

In recent dog and cat experiments, a novel milk oligosaccharide biosimilar (GNU100) positively modulated fecal microbiota and metabolite profiles, suggesting benefits to gastrointestinal health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of GNU100 on the fecal characteristics, microbiota, and bile acid (BA) concentrations of healthy adult dogs treated with antibiotics. Twelve healthy adult female dogs (mean age: 3.74 ± 2.4 yr) were used in an 8-wk crossover design study (dogs underwent both treatments). All dogs were fed a control diet during a 2-wk baseline, then randomly allotted to 1 of 2 treatments (diet only or diet + 1% GNU100) for another 6 wk. From weeks 2 to 4, dogs were orally administered metronidazole (20 mg/kg BW) twice daily. Fecal scores were recorded daily and fresh fecal samples were collected at weeks 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 for measurement of pH, dry matter, microbiota populations, and BA, immunoglobulin A, and calprotectin concentrations. On weeks 0, 4, and 8, blood samples were collected for serum chemistry and hematology analysis. All data were analyzed as repeated measures using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS version 9.4, with significance considered P < 0.05. Metronidazole increased (P < 0.0001) fecal scores (looser stools) and modified (P < 0.05) fecal microbiota and BA profiles. Using qPCR, metronidazole reduced fecal Blautia, Fusobacterium, Turicibacter, Clostridium hiranonis, and Faecalibacterium abundances, and increased fecal Streptococcus and Escherichia coli abundances. DNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that metronidazole reduced microbial alpha diversity and influenced the relative abundance of 20 bacterial genera and families. Metronidazole also increased primary BA and reduced secondary BA concentrations. Most antibiotic-induced changes returned to baseline by week 8. Fecal scores were more stable (P = 0.01) in GNU100-fed dogs than controls after antibiotic administration. GNU100 also influenced fecal microbiota and BA profiles, reducing (P < 0.05) the influence of metronidazole on microbial alpha diversity and returning some fecal microbiota and secondary BA to baseline levels at a quicker (P < 0.05) rate than controls. In conclusion, our results suggest that GNU100 supplementation provides benefits to dogs treated with antibiotics, providing more stable fecal scores, maintaining microbial diversity, and allowing for quicker recovery of microbiota and secondary BA profiles which play an essential role in gut health.

Effects of antimicrobials on the gastrointestinal microbiota of dogs and cats

Among several environmental factors, exposure to antimicrobials has been in the spotlight as a cause of profound and long-term disturbance of the intestinal microbiota. Antimicrobial-induced dysbiosis is a general term and includes decreases in microbial richness and diversity, loss of beneficial bacterial groups, blooms of intestinal pathogens and alterations in the metabolic functions and end-products of the microbiota. Mounting evidence from human and experimental animal studies suggest an association between antimicrobial-induced dysbiosis and susceptibility to gastrointestinal, metabolic, endocrine, immune and neuropsychiatric diseases. These associations are commonly stronger after early life exposure to antimicrobials, a period during which maturation of the microbiota and immune system take place in parallel. In addition, these associations commonly become stronger as the number of antimicrobial courses increases. The repeatability of these findings among different studies as well as the presence of a dose-dependent relationship between antimicrobial exposure and disease development collectively require careful consideration of the need for antimicrobial use. There are limited studies are available in dogs and cats regarding the long-term effects of antimicrobials on the microbiota and subsequent susceptibility to diseases. This review discusses the effects of antimicrobials on the gastrointestinal microbiota and the most important associations between antimicrobial-induced dysbiosis and diseases in humans, dogs, and cats.

Environmental risk factors in puppies and kittens for developing chronic disorders in adulthood: A call for research on developmental programming

Many dogs and cats are affected by chronic diseases that significantly impact their health and welfare and relationships with humans. Some of these diseases can be challenging to treat, and a better understanding of early-life risk factors for diseases occurring in adulthood is key to improving preventive veterinary care and husbandry practices. This article reviews early-life risk factors for obesity and chronic enteropathy, and for chronic behavioral problems, which can also be intractable with life-changing consequences. Aspects of early life in puppies and kittens that can impact the risk of adult disorders include maternal nutrition, establishment of the gut microbiome, maternal behavior, weaning, nutrition during growth, growth rate, socialization with conspecifics and humans, rehoming and neutering. Despite evidence in some species that the disorders reviewed here reflect the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), developmental programming has rarely been studied in dogs and cats. Priorities and strategies to increase knowledge of early-life risk factors and DOHaD in dogs and cats are discussed. Critical windows of development are proposed: preconception, gestation, the suckling period, early growth pre-neutering or pre-puberty, and growth post-neutering or post-puberty to adult size, the durations of which depend upon species and breed. Challenges to DOHaD research in these species include a large number of breeds with wide genetic and phenotypic variability, and the existence of many mixed-breed individuals. Moreover, difficulties in conducting prospective lifelong cohort studies are exacerbated by discontinuity in pet husbandry between breeders and subsequent owners, and by the dispersed nature of pet ownership.

The morbidity and the spectrum of applied drugs in shelter cats in the Czech Republic

Maintaining appropriate living conditions and good health of the animals should be one of the main priorities of cat shelters. The aim of this study was to assess the morbidity of shelter cats on the basis of analysis of the shelter health records in terms of the nature and quantity of medicaments and other supportive products administered in two no-kill shelters in the Czech Republic. The subject of the study were the health records of 1,884 cats, which were admitted to the selected shelters from 1.1.2013 to 31.12.2021 and their stay in the shelter was terminated in the monitored period. More than half of all cats whose records were analyzed had at least one health record made during their stay in the shelter. The overall length of stay of cats in the shelter (regardless of the outcome) in which one or more health records were found was significantly longer compared to the length of stay of cats without any health records. The highest number of health records was found in kittens <6 months old. Antibiotics, antiparasitics, and complementary/protective substances were the most used among all administered drugs. Broad-spectrum antibiotics have been administered to cats most often. In terms of classification of antibiotics according to the active substance, the most used antibiotics were penicillins, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones. Antibiotics were mostly used to treat diseases related to the upper and lower respiratory tract and their symptoms and gastrointestinal problems. The findings of the study contribute to understanding health problems and approaches to treating the shelter cats.

Effects of different amoxicillin treatment durations on microbiome diversity and composition in the gut

Antibiotics seize an effect on bacterial composition and diversity and have been demonstrated to induce disruptions on gut microbiomes. This may have implications for human health and wellbeing, and an increasing number of studies suggest a link between the gut microbiome and several diseases. Hence, reducing antibiotic treatments may be beneficial for human health status. Further, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing global problem that can be counteracted by limiting the usage of antibiotics. Longer antibiotic treatments have been demonstrated to increase the development of AMR. Therefore, shortening of antibiotic treatment durations, provided it is safe for patients, may be one measure to reduce AMR. In this study, the objective was to investigate effects of standard and reduced antibiotic treatment lengths on gut microbiomes using a murine model. Changes in the murine gut microbiome was assessed after using three different treatment durations of amoxicillin (3, 7 or 14 days) as well as a control group not receiving amoxicillin. Fecal samples were collected before and during the whole experiment, until three weeks past end of treatment. These were further subject for 16S rRNA Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Our results demonstrated significant changes in bacterial diversity, richness and evenness during amoxicillin treatment, followed by a reversion in terms of alpha-diversity and abundance of major phyla, after end of treatment. However, a longer restitution time was indicated for mice receiving amoxicillin for 14 days, and phylum Patescibacteria did not fully recover. In addition, an effect on the composition of Firmicutes was indicated to last for at least three weeks in mice treated with amoxicillin for 14 days. Despite an apparently reversion to a close to original state in overall bacterial diversity and richness, the results suggested more durable changes in lower taxonomical levels. We detected several families, genera and ASVs with significantly altered abundance three weeks after exposure to amoxicillin, as well as bacterial taxa that appeared significantly affected by amoxicillin treatment length. This may strengthen the argument for shorter antibiotic treatment regimens to both limit the emergence of antibiotic resistance and risk of gut microbiome disturbance.

Comparative Analyses of the Gut Microbiota in Growing Ragdoll Cats and Felinae Cats

Simple Summary

Accumulating studies have revealed that the gut microbiota had intimate relations with the animal gastrointestinal tract diseases. Through regulating the development of the host’s intestinal immune system, the gut microbiota could directly influence the host’s intestinal function. In the current study, the gut microbiota of Ragdoll cats and Felinae cats were investigated and compared. Results demonstrated the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota in the Felinae cats were much higher than in the Ragdoll cats. However, the relative abundances of beneficial microbes in the Ragdoll cats were much higher than those in the Felinae cats. In all, different genetic portraits determined the different microbial communities in the feline gut. The candidate probiotics isolated in the growing cat’s gut might be applied to treat the gastrointestinal tract diseases.

Abstract

Today, domestic cats are important human companion animals for their appearance and favorable personalities. During the history of their domestication, the morphological and genetic portraits of domestic cats changed significantly from their wild ancestors, and the gut microbial communities of different breeds of cats also apparently differ. In the current study, the gut microbiota of Ragdoll cats and Felinae cats were analyzed and compared. Our data indicated that the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota in the Felinae cats were much higher than in the Ragdoll cats. The taxonomic analyses revealed that the most predominant phyla of the feline gut microbiota were Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Fusobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Campilobacterota, and others, while the most predominant genera were Anaerococcus, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, Finegoldia, Porphyromonas, Collinsella, Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus_gnavus_group, Prevotella, and others. Different microbial communities between the Ragdoll group and the Felinae group were observed, and the compared results demonstrated that the relative abundances of beneficial microbes (such as Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Blautia, Roseburia, and so on) in the Ragdoll group were much higher than in the Felinae group. The co-occurrence network revealed that the number of nodes and links in the Felinae group was significantly higher than the Ragdoll group, which meant that the network of the Felinae group was larger and more complex than that of the Ragdoll group. PICRUSt function analyses indicated that the differences in microbial genes might influence the energy metabolism and immune functions of the host. In all, our data demonstrated that the richness and diversity of beneficial microbes in the Ragdoll group were much higher than the Felinae group. Therefore, it is possible to isolate and identify more candidate probiotics in the gut microbiota of growing Ragdoll cats.

Serial Measurement of Serum Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity, Feline Trypsin-like Immunoreactivity, and Cobalamin Concentrations in Kittens

Serum concentrations of feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI), feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI), and cobalamin are commonly used for the diagnostic investigation of cats with gastrointestinal signs. No information on these parameters in healthy cats less than 1 year of age exists. We aimed to evaluate serum concentrations of fPLI, fTLI, and cobalamin in healthy cats at different time-points during their first 12 months of life. Fourteen healthy 2-month-old kittens were included. Blood was collected at 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 months of age, and serum concentrations of fPLI, fTLI, and cobalamin were measured. While there was a statistically significant difference in serum fPLI concentrations over time, there was no statistically significant difference between individual time-points. There was no significant difference in serum fTLI concentrations over time. Serum cobalamin concentrations were below the reference interval in 3/13 cats at 2 months of age and were significantly lower by 3 months, when 13/14 had hypocobalaminemia. By 12 months, serum cobalamin had significantly increased, yet 4/12 cats still had hypocobalaminemia. Serum fPLI and fTLI concentrations did not show any statistically or clinically significant differences in young kittens. In contrast, serum cobalamin concentrations were commonly below the reference interval in kittens. Serum fPLI and fTLI concentrations are not practically affected by age in kittens as young as 2 months of age and could be used for the investigation of pancreatic diseases.

Common Dietary Modifications in Preclinical Models to Study Skeletal Health

Bone is a highly dynamic tissue that undergoes continuous remodeling by bone resorbing osteoclasts and bone forming osteoblasts, a process regulated in large part by osteocytes. Dysregulation of these coupled catabolic and anabolic processes as in the case of menopause, type 2 diabetes mellitus, anorexia nervosa, and chronic kidney disease is known to increase fracture risk. Recent advances in the field of bone cell metabolism and bioenergetics have revealed that maintenance of the skeleton places a high energy demand on these cells involved in bone remodeling. These new insights highlight the reason that bone tissue is the beneficiary of a substantial proportion of cardiac output and post-prandial chylomicron remnants and requires a rich supply of nutrients. Studies designed for the specific purpose of investigating the impact of dietary modifications on bone homeostasis or that alter diet composition and food intake to produce the model can be found throughout the literature; however, confounding dietary factors are often overlooked in some of the preclinical models. This review will examine some of the common pre-clinical models used to study skeletal biology and its pathologies and the subsequent impact of various dietary factors on these model systems. Furthermore, the review will include how inadvertent effects of some of these dietary components can influence bone cell function and study outcomes.

Multi-Enzyme Supplementation Modifies the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome in Breeding Hens

Laying and reproductive performance, egg quality, and disease resistance of hens decrease during the late laying period. Exogenous enzymes promote nutrient digestibility and utilization and improve the intestinal environment. However, the specific regulation of the gut microbiome and metabolome by exogenous enzymes remains unelucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary multi-enzyme supplementation on egg and reproductive performance, egg quality, ileum microbiome, and metabolome of breeders. Here, 224 Hy-Line Brown breeding hens (55 weeks old) were randomly allocated to two groups: dietary controls fed basal diet (DC), and test hens fed 0.2 g/kg corn enzyme diet (CE). Serum levels of total protein, globulin, immunoglobulin Y, and antibodies against the Newcastle disease virus and avian influenza H9 strain were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Egg albumen height, Haugh unit, and fertilization and hatching rates were also significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the CE-fed group. 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that CE strongly affected both α- and β-diversity of the ileal microbiota. LEfSe analysis revealed that the potentially beneficial genera Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Faecalicoccus, and Streptococcus were enriched as biomarkers in the CE-fed group. Microbial functional analysis revealed that the functional genes associated with harmful-substance biodegradation was significantly increased in the CE-fed group. Additionally, Spearman correlation analysis indicated that changes in microbial genera were correlated with differential metabolites. In summary, dietary multi-enzyme addition can improve egg quality, humoral immunity, and reproductive performance and regulate the intestinal microbiome and metabolome in breeders. Therefore, multi-enzymes could be used as feed additive to extend breeder service life.