What is the Microbiome?
All mammals, including humans, are home to communities of microorganisms or microbiomes, found on and within the body.3 These microorganisms outnumber mammalian cells by a factor of ten. These bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa make vital contributions to gut epithelial health, immunity and metabolism.1,2
There is variation both between individual microbiomes and in location along the gastrointestinal tract. The colon contains the most diverse and numerous population.2 The microbiome provides defence from pathogenic organisms by competing for oxygen and nutrients, competing for adhesion sites and by secretion of antimicrobial substances.2 The microorganisms also produce short chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which provide energy for enterocytes, and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Much is being learned in human research including how this microorganism community is formed, and the reasons behind individual variation in the microbiome.2
During the perinatal period, colonization is known to take place from the mother, both in utero and during birth.3 This initial microbiome within an infant is developing, maturing and adapting.2 Diet, antibiosis and environmental exposure all play a role in the infant, and malnutrition at this stage can result in a persistent dysbiosis.1 Dysbiosis is the term for a microbial imbalance within the microbiome.
In contrast, the mature human intestinal microbiome has more long-term stability. Dysbiosis from gastrointestinal (GI) upset is more likely to be temporary.1
Companion animals, compared to humans, have a higher total number of microorganisms within the GI tract. Dogs and cats share many bacterial phyla, such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacterium.3 Feline faeces, however, contains more obligate anaerobic bacteria then canine, and in numbers that would be considered abnormal in humans.3 It is not appropriate to simply extrapolate from human studies in the case of our companion animals.
Acute diarrhea is the most common complaint to vets and in kennels in the UK, and can be caused by dietary indiscretion, stress or infections.4,5 A dysbiosis is noted after acute diarrhea and treatment with antimicrobials will further exacerbate this, potentially for weeks to months.2 Antibiotic therapy for acute diarrhea is still commonplace, though controversial when not supported by appropriate culture or diagnostic investigation. Faecal investigations are often not performed in cases of acute diarrhea, where there are no comorbidities or complications. Acute diarrhea is often self-limiting,3 and so the aim of treatment is to accelerate resolution, as symptoms can be difficult to manage for owners. Restoration of normal intestinal microbiota and function is beneficial to the individual, particularly for juvenile animals.
Why use Prebiotics and Probiotics?
Probiotic preparations introduce live microorganisms into the body in adequate numbers to have beneficial qualities.3
Prebiotics are non-digestible nutrients that are selectively fermented within the intestine into substrates that favour proliferation of beneficial microorganisms.
In companion animals, prebiotics and probiotics are most commonly used currently in formulations for support during GI upset. Movement towards using pre/probiotic combinations and dietary modification has the potential to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use.
Probiotic numbers in a product are given in colony forming units (CFU). It is important to source a probiotic that has proven efficacy in the situation intended for treatment. Enterococcus faecium is one probiotic known to have positive effects in stress-induced diarrhea.2 It is also the only licenced probiotic for companion animals in Europe and has been shown to decrease the time to resolution in acute diarrhea cases (of varying cause) and to restore the intestinal microbiome.4 E. faecium has also been observed to improve the outcome of parvoviral enteritis in puppies.4
The addition of prebiotics to a product (fermentable fibres such as chicory or acacia) will promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and can increase production of butyrate.2 This addition can support the probiotics given in combination in a synbiotic product. Other factors in the choice of a product include palatability (especially when GI upset can be associated with decreased appetite) and ease of use to ensure owner compliance.
The beneficial effect probiotics may have is currently a focus in both human and veterinary medicine. For example, E. faecium has been observed to reduce total lipids, proteins and cholesterol on 11 healthy dogs in one study3 and this may have implications regarding weight management, obesity and metabolic disease. Research on probiotic use in cases of urolithiasis, dental disease, Helicobacter spp infections and atopic dermatitis are also currently underway.2,3 More evidence is required before therapeutic advice on administration of pre and probiotics can be given in these conditions, but it is a fascinating and advancing area of research.
The Royal Canin Gastrointestinal range is designed to support gut health and alleviate symptoms of GI disease. The diets can be used short term for control of gastrointestinal symptoms but also long term as part of a management approach to restore a healthy microbiome.
The gastrointestinal range is a low-residue, highly digestible and palatable diet containing prebiotics fructo-oligosacchirides and psyllium. Ask your vet for their recommendation today.
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References;
- Barko P.C., McMichael M. A., Swanson K. S., Williams D. A. (2018) The Gastrointestinal Microbiome: A Review. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 32:9-25
- Chandler M. (2017) Probiotic in cats and dogs- uses and latest studies Veterinary Times
- Grzeskowiak L., Endo A., Beasley S., Salminen S., (2015) Microbiota and probiotics in canine and feline welfare. Anaerobe 34:14-23
- Nixon S. L., Rose L., Muller A. T., (2018) Efficacy of an orally administered anti-diarrhoeal probiotic paste (Pro-Kolin Advanced) in dogs with acute diarrhea: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical study Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 33:1286-1294
- Rose L., Rose J., Gosling S., Holmes M., (2017) Efficacy of a probiotic-Prebiotic Supplement on Incidence of diarrhea in a dog shelter: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 31:377-382
Postdate: 1st April 2020