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Effects of an E . coli probiotic on gut and urinary tract health in dogs

USER-ALT Adam Rudinsky and others , Ohio State University , Columbus , USA

The Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 has been used for many years as a probiotic treatment in human patients with bowel disorders such as Crohn ' s disease and irritable bowel syndrome . The authors investigated its use in dogs with idiopathic diarrhoea and also carried out an in vitro study of its performance in competition with samples from uropathogenic E . coli infections . In a study of 89 dogs with idiopathic diarrhoea , the probiotic treatment restored normal bowel function more quickly than a placebo . Meanwhile , the Nissle 1917 strain appeared to outcompete the uropathogenic E . coli strain in vitro , and its effects on urinary tract health will therefore be tested in future in vivo trials .

American Journal of Veterinary Research https :// doi . org / 10.2460 / ajvr . 23.03.0055

Launch of a major longitudinal study of health and disease in dogs and cats

USER-ALT Janet Alexander and others , Waltham Petcare Science Institute , Leicestershire , UK

Large-scale population studies involving biobanks have proved valuable sources of clinical information in human medicine and are now being used to advance veterinary science . The authors describe the study protocol and long-term aims of a major prospective longitudinal study , the Mars Petcare Biobank , which will gather data from 10,000 cats and 10,000 dogs . They state that over the coming years the findings from the project will help in identifying biomarkers of disease , assist with the early identification of risk factors and encourage the development of individually tailored interventions to manage disease .

BMC Veterinary Research https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12917-023-03691-4

Owner-chosen changes in diet and supplement use in dogs with cancer

USER-ALT Matthew Kramer and others , University of California , Davis , USA

It is known that many dog owners will introduce changes in the nutritional management of their pet after it has been diagnosed with cancer . However , there are limited data on what specific changes are made and the reasons for that decision . The authors sent questionnaires to the owners of dogs diagnosed with cancer at a university hospital and received 120 responses . Around 55 % of owners in this group had changed their dog ' s diet or supplements . Use of home-prepared foods increased significantly after diagnosis . The authors suggest that veterinary professionals should offer advice to clients in this situation on the importance of diet during cancer treatment so that owners can make informed decisions on any husbandry changes .

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine https :// doi . org / 10.1111 / jvim . 16825

12 Veterinary Nursing Journal