Journal of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회)
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Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Commercial Oral Capsules for Chronic Enteropathies in Dogs and Cats

  • Min-Ok Ryu (Laboratory of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University) ;
  • Soh-Yeon Lee (Laboratory of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University) ;
  • Se-Hoon Kim (Laboratory of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University) ;
  • Hwa-Young Youn (Laboratory of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kyoung-Won Seo (Laboratory of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2024.06.05
  • Accepted : 2024.06.13
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

This retrospective case series assessed the effectiveness of commercially available oral fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating chronic enteropathies in eight animals, five dogs, and three cats, between 2020 and 2023 at the Seoul National University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Chronic enteropathies, often resistant to conventional therapies, present a significant challenge in veterinary medicine. To assess oral capsule FMT's effectiveness (Doggybiome® one capsule daily for dogs and Kittybiome® one capsule daily for cats) as a universal adjunctive therapy for chronic enteropathies across species not responding to traditional treatments. This retrospective case series applied a uniform evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms and treatment efficacy, utilizing established scoring systems (Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index [CIBDAI] and Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index [CCECAI] for dogs, Feline Chronic Enteropathy Activity Index [FCEAI] for cats) before and one month after FMT. This approach ensured consistency in hypothesis testing across the study population. Results revealed significant improvements in clinical indices post-FMT, with notable reductions in the CIBDAI, CCECAI, and FCEAI scores (p < 0.05). Additionally, symptoms such as anorexia, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss showed marked improvement, with normalization of appetite and activity levels observed in most cases. No adverse effects were reported, indicating the safety and tolerability of this treatment. This study highlights the potential of oral capsule FMT as a viable therapeutic option for dogs and cats with chronic enteropathies unresponsive to conventional treatments, providing a new avenue for clinical management. Further research is warranted to expand these findings and explore the microbiome changes associated with FMT in veterinary patients.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We would thank the veterinary clinicians and staff at Seoul National University. We would also like to acknowledge the Research Institute for Veterinary Science at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

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