Study of faecal parameters and body condition in dogs with a diet supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529)

Abstract

The aim of our case-control study is to evaluate the effects of a diet integrated with the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) on the nutritional status and faecal consistency of healthy dogs belonging to the English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) and Labrador Retriever (LR) breeds. A total of 30 dogs were enrolled in this study, and they were randomly assigned to a Control (CTR, n ¼ 14) and a Treated group (LACTO, n ¼ 16). The trial consisted in a 7-days adaptation period where all the animals received the same commercial food, followed by a 35-days of data collection period where the LACTO group received the food supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL. We evaluated Body weight (BW), Body Condition Score (BCS) and Skinfold thickness, Faecal Score (FS) and Faecal Moisture (FM). All dogs in the LACTO group maintained an ideal BCS score during the whole experimental period compared to the CTR group. A significant decrease in skin thickness was found throughout the trial in the LACTO group. A significant improvement of the FM was recorded in the LACTO compared to the CTR group in the overall period for both dog breeds, and the FS significantly decreased in the LACTO group. Our results showed good maintenance of the nutritional conditions in dogs that are prone to overweight and a significant improvement of faecal parameters, meaning that even in healthy dogs with no gastrointestinal disorder the addition of this supplement to the diet helps to maintain the optimal balance of their intestinal microbiota. HIGHLIGHTS Probiotics help to maintain and promote the optimal gastro-intestinal health and well-being. Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) improve faecal parameters and nutritional status of dogs.

Faecal Microbiota of Dogs Offered a Vegetarian Diet with or without the Supplementation of Feather Meal and either Cornmeal, Rye or Fermented Rye: A Preliminary Study

“…A diet rich in dietary fibres/butyrate can reduce diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal imbalances and also some cancer diseases. In addition, inflammatory processes can also be alleviated by butyrate such that a faster recovery can occur [ 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. With regard to the bacterial colonization when rye and fermented rye were added, there were hardly any differences in faeces, so it can be stated that the fibre components important for the colon flora remain relatively untouched by a preceding fermentation.…”

Chronic Kidney Disease and Dietary Supplementation: Effects on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

“…This result could be justified by the presence of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the new administered product combined with the fructooligosaccharides that make the probiotic more effective. In particular, the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) on fecal parameters and body condition in dogs and cats have been recently studied [18,19]. In addition, a study on dogs with CKD treated with multi-strain probiotics containing Lactobacillus showed a significant improvement in Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and USG and a significant reduction of UPC compared to the control [7].…”

“…For all of these reasons, the choice of probiotics (e.g., Lactobacilli spp. and Bifidobacteria), prebiotics (e.g., fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides), and antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E, carotenoids, lutein, vegetable oil) has increased in both human and veterinary medicine [18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

The synergistic effect of prebiotics, probiotics and antioxidants on dogs with chronic kidney disease

“…The TG group received the supplement (Renal N, Candioli s.r.l., Italy) for 90 days. It contains L. acidophilus D2/CSL (30 mg/ day) (Bruni et al 2020), fructooligosaccharides (400 mg/day) and Olea Europaea extract (40 mg/day) (Supplementary Appendix 1) . The CG received the placebo for the same period of time (Supplementary Appendix 1).…”

“…The use of ingredients in the diet that have an effect directly on the renal function or through a secondary product mediated by the microbiome can be beneficial for patients with renal disease. Therefore, in order to maintain a correct balance of the gastrointestinal microbiota, the use of probiotics, prebiotics and antioxidants has increased in humans as well as in animals (Rose et al 2017;Fusi et al 2019;Bruni et al 2020;Saettone et al 2020). Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most widely used probiotics in veterinary medicine.…”