Comparison of the Therapeutic Effect of Treatment with Antibiotics or Nutraceuticals on Clinical Activity and the Fecal Microbiome of Dogs with Acute Diarrhea

Abstract

Dogs with acute diarrhea are often presented to clinical practice and, although this generally represents a self-limiting condition, antibiotics are still frequently used as treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects in dogs with acute non-hemorrhagic diarrhea of the administration of an antibiotic combination in comparison to a nutraceutical product. Thirty dogs were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups: 15 dogs (group A) received a nutraceutical commercial product while 15 dogs (group B) received an antimicrobial combination of metronidazole and spiramycin. For each dog, the Canine Acute Diarrhea Severity Index, the fecal microbiota and the Dysbiosis Index were assessed. Both stool consistency and frequency decreased on day 2 in the dogs of group A compared to baseline, while in group B, these parameters significantly decreased at days 3 and 4. The global concern for rising antibiotic resistance associated with indiscriminate use of antimicrobials, in both humans and animals, suggests the necessity of avoiding empirical and injudicious use of these molecules in diarrheic dogs. These results suggest that the nutraceutical treatment had a similar clinical effect compared to the antibiotic formulation, representing a valid antibiotic-sparing therapeutic approach in canine acute diarrhea.

Impact of Antibiotic Therapies on Resistance Genes Dynamic and Composition of the Animal Gut Microbiota

“…Similar results for Fusobacteria and metronidazole administration were found by Igarashi et al [120], who also reported an increase of Actinobacteria. When metronidazole combined with spiramycin was administered to diarrheic dogs, no difference was found in the amount of certain genera in the GIM compared to dogs administered with a nutraceutical compound [121].…”

Dealing with haemorrhagic diarrhoea in dogs

“…Although there is limited evidence that probiotics and synbiotics may be beneficial in acute diarrhoea (Nixon and others 2019, Pignataro and others 2021), there is no evidence that they are harmful, and they do preclude the inappropriate use of antibacterials in self‐limiting disease. One study has shown a benefit in dogs with AHDS with a rapid reduction in the number of faecal netF genes (Ziese and others 2018).…”

Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management

“…As reported for adults, use of antibiotics for the medical treatment of diarrhoea is controversial. 12,47,48 Specific antimicrobial therapy should be considered when there are signs of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (eg, numerous inflammatory cells in faecal smears), bloody faeces, fever, leukocytosis or when septicaemia is suspected. 47 Socialisation it is reported that the sensitive period for socialisation towards humans occurs between 2 and 7 weeks of age, when multiple stimuli allow for the rapid growth of neural connections and, in turn, the development of social behaviour.…”