QUARTERLY BEAT / OCTOBER 2023 ///
/// QUARTERLY BEAT / OCTOBER 2023
WHAT WILL THE FUTURE HOLD? While the veterinary profession has learned a great deal about the importance of microbiome health, we have much more to discover, from understanding the effects of dysbiosis on immune function, cardiovascular health and obesity to further exploring the relationship between the GI microbiome and brain health. There are many insights yet to be uncovered in this burgeoning area of veterinary medicine.
patient once antibiotic treatment has stopped. This is not to say that antibiotics do not have a role in treating infections. But overuse can have a negative effect—especially in young patients, as their GI microbiomes are still developing. Instead of dispensing a broad-spectrum antibiotic, talk with clients about feeding a therapeutic diet that is tailored to their pet’s clinical signs. Recommending a highly digestible diet for patients with small bowel diarrhea or a high fiber diet for patients with large bowel diarrhea is a good starting place. In addition, a safe, research-backed probiotic that is indicated for patients with acute diarrhea can be a good adjunct therapy for most patients with these clinical signs.
CALM BEHAVIOR
✔ The GI microbiome is a complex microbial ecosystem comprising trillions of microorganisms that Gut Check ✔
®
References
play a significant role in the overall health of both humans and pets.
1.
Barko PC, McMichael MA, Swanson KA, et al. The Gastrointestinal Microbiome: A Review. J Vet Intern Med. 2018. Jan;32(1):9-25. doi: 10.1111/jvim.14875. Jergens AE, Heilmann RM. Canine chronic enteropathy—Current state-of-the-art and emerging concepts. Front. Vet. Sci. x 2022 Sep 21;9:923013. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.923013. Cave N. Nutritional management of gastrointestinal diseases. In A. J. Fascetti & S. J. Delaney (Eds.), Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition . Wiley-Blackwell; 2012, 175-219. Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Consultation. Evaluation of health and nutritional properties of powder milk and live lactic acid bacteria. Córdoba, Argentina: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization; 2001. Fenimore A, Martin L, Lappin MR. Evaluation of Metronidazole With and Without Enterococcus Faecium SF68 in Shelter Dogs With Diarrhea. Top Companion Anim Med. 2017 Sep;32(3):100-103. doi: 10.1053/j. tcam.2017.11.001. Epub 2017 Nov 28. PMID: 29291770. Shmalberg J, Montalbano C, Morelli G, et al. A Randomized Double Blinded Placebo- Controlled Clinical Trial of a Probiotic or Metronidazole for Acute Canine Diarrhea. Front Vet Sci. 2019 Jun 4;6:163. https://doi. org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00163. Richards P, Thornberry NA, Pinto S (2021). The gut-brain axis: Identification of new therapeutic approaches for Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related disorders. Molecular Metabolism, 46, 101175. doi:10.1016/j. molmet.2021.101175.
2.
✔ The gut contains 70 percent of the body’s immune cells, which protect against potentially harmful organisms (pathogens) and foreign substances (antigens). 11 ✔ The GI microbiome influences energy balance, metabolism, immune response, vitamin and mineral synthesis, endocrine signaling, gut function and neurobehavioral development through the gut-brain axis. 1 ✔ Dysbiosis, a disruption in microbial balance, can be triggered by many factors, including antibiotic use, illness and diet change.
3.
4.
TARGETED MICROBIOME SUPPORT FOR GI HEALTH AND BEYOND A healthy microbiome can impact a pet's overall health. That's why we've spent decades exploring microbiome science. From diets with specic prebiotic bers that support digestive health to supplements that support calm behavior, immune health, or dogs with diarrhea, we're dedicated to helping you improve your patients' lives in new ways.
IMMUNE HEALTH
5.
GUT HEALTH
Image courtesy of the Purina Institute.
6.
HEALTH BEYOND THE GUT Using nutrition to help foster GI health can have positive effects for other body systems as well. In recent years, more has been discovered about the “gut-brain axis.” This refers to how the gut microbiome affects brain function and behavior, and how the brain, in turn, influences the microbiome. 7 Research indicates that modifying the GI microbiome through nutritional intervention can potentially influence behavior. 8 For example, the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum BL999 has been shown to help dogs and cats maintain calm behavior 9,10 and can be used in conjunction with other tools, including behavior modification and medication.
7.
MICROBIOME SUPPORT
✔ Soluble fibers are selectively
fermented by beneficial bacteria, which leads to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that nourish cells of colonocytes and impede pathogen growth.
Raj Naik, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® Veterinary Communications Manager, Nestlé Purina PetCare
Purina trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. LEARN MORE AT PURINAPROPLANVETS.COM/MICROBIOME
8
9
VETGIRL BEAT EMAGAZINE | VETGIRLONTHERUN.COM
VETGIRL BEAT EMAGAZINE | VETGIRLONTHERUN.COM
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker