Are Antibiotics Always Useful for Intestinal Diseases in Dogs or Cats, and What Does the Gut Microbiome Do?

New findings about the trillions of microbes that make up the gut microbiome are, among other things, calling into question the use of antibiotics to treat DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems. in dogs and cats.

Instead, the focus should be on restoring the normal environment of bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. and other microorganisms in the intestineThe intestine is the medical term for the gut, including the small intestine (intestinum tenue) and the large intestine (intestinum crassum). It plays a central role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients..
The gut microbiome has been shown to be an essential component of the host’s health.

What does the gut microbiome do?
It forms:

• Defense barriers against potentially pathogenic organisms,
• support the breakdown of nutrients and the release of energy from ingested food or feed,
• provides nutrients for the intestinalIntestinal refers to the intestine, the part of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the anus. Intestinal diseases affect the small and/or large intestine. cells,
• helps regulate the body’s defenses (immunityImmunity is the body’s ability to protect itself against infections, diseases, or foreign substances. It can be natural, as with innate immunity, or acquired, as with adaptive immunity, which develops after an infection or vaccination.),
• and metabolizes substances that the host cannot process, such as medications.

What are the consequences of food withdrawal (nutritional abstinence) in DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems.?

Even suspending food intake in DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems. must be critically questioned. The sooner nutrition (or partial nutrition) is provided via the intestineThe intestine is the medical term for the gut, including the small intestine (intestinum tenue) and the large intestine (intestinum crassum). It plays a central role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients., the faster the animals recover and the better the chances of survival for severely ill animals. The reason for this is the resulting possible nutrition of the intestinalIntestinal refers to the intestine, the part of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the anus. Intestinal diseases affect the small and/or large intestine. cells and the maintenance or restoration of an optimal gut microbiome. Many studies now prove this.

A growing body of research shows that antibiotics have little or no effect on acuteAcute refers to a condition that occurs suddenly and is usually of short duration. In a medical context, it describes symptoms or illnesses that can quickly become serious and require immediate attention. DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems. and hemorrhagicHemorrhagic refers to anything related to Bleeding. In medicine, it describes conditions or events that are caused by or characterized by Bleeding, such as hemorrhagic Fever. DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems. syndromeA syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur together and indicate a specific disease or condition. A syndrome can be caused by various factors and is often complex in its diagnosis and treatment.. In fact, there is evidence that antibiotics to combat intestinalIntestinal refers to the intestine, the part of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the anus. Intestinal diseases affect the small and/or large intestine. infections can damage the microbiome, much like a poor diet can delay the healing process in infections and inflammatory diseases.

What alternatives are there to antibiotics?

• Prebiotics – are non-digestible plant-based feed or food components that serve as a food source for the microbiome, thereby promoting the growth and activity of the microbiome. These include, for example, fiber-rich pet food and psyllium seed supplements.
• Postbiotics – are not living bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease., but merely components thereof. They contain metabolicMetabolic refers to metabolism, i.e. the entirety of chemical processes that take place in a living organism to enable life processes. Metabolic disorders can cause a variety of Diseases in Dogs and cats. components (metabolites), short-chain fatty acids and functional proteins. They are able to break down harmful bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Fecal microbiome transplantation is another option, in which feces from healthy donors is transferred to the diseased animal using probes or in the form of capsules. The donor animals must be free of pathogens and must not have received antibiotics for an extended period themselves.

In acuteAcute refers to a condition that occurs suddenly and is usually of short duration. In a medical context, it describes symptoms or illnesses that can quickly become serious and require immediate attention. DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems., therefore, a

• highly digestible diet,
• Probiotics (viable microorganisms such as certain bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. or yeasts)
• possibly prebiotics as well as
• deworming are useful.

In chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems., a

• highly digestible or fiber-rich diet, supplemented by
• prebiotics and
• postbiotics are useful.

Especially in chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems., the historyThe medical history is the systematic collection of a patient’s medical history through questioning. It includes information about previous illnesses, treatments, allergies, and lifestyle habits. (anamnesis) is particularly important. Furthermore, an initialInitial means beginning or at the start. In medicine, it can refer to the first symptoms of a disease or the first phase of a treatment process. deworming and laboratory diagnostic tests are essential. It needs to be clarified whether there is already a proteinProteins are large molecules made up of amino acids and play an essential role in almost all biological processes. They are necessary for building body tissue, the function of the immune system, and as enzymes for metabolic reactions. deficiencyDeficiency means a lack or absence of a necessary substance required for normal bodily functions or health, such as vitamins, minerals, or hormones., whether the B12 content in the blood is reduced, etc. If there is a proteinProteins are large molecules made up of amino acids and play an essential role in almost all biological processes. They are necessary for building body tissue, the function of the immune system, and as enzymes for metabolic reactions. deficiencyDeficiency means a lack or absence of a necessary substance required for normal bodily functions or health, such as vitamins, minerals, or hormones., there is a suspicion of an intestinalIntestinal refers to the intestine, the part of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the anus. Intestinal diseases affect the small and/or large intestine. disease associated with proteinProteins are large molecules made up of amino acids and play an essential role in almost all biological processes. They are necessary for building body tissue, the function of the immune system, and as enzymes for metabolic reactions. loss (protein-losing enteropathy). In such a case, an immunosuppressiveImmunosuppressive agents are medications or substances that specifically suppress the activity of the immune system. They are used in dogs and cats to treat autoimmune diseases, allergies, and to prevent rejection reactions after transplants. treatment would be necessary. Sometimes further tests are necessary.

Of course, antibiotics may also be necessary for specific bacterial infections. Your veterinarian will decide that. But they are rather no longer at the beginning of a treatment or are even the sole therapeutic measure for diseases associated with DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems. in dogs and cats.

Source: Dr. Granick: A New Approach to DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems. in the Dog and Cat. AVMA Convention 2022, Philadelphia. New findings about the trillions of microbes that make up the gut microbiome are, among other things, calling into question the use of antibiotics to treat DiarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems. in dogs and cats.