Fecal microbiota transplantation as an alternative treatment for dysbiosis in dogs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31533/Keywords:
Dysbiosis, gastrointestinal, microbiota, fecal microbiota transplantationAbstract
Intestinal dysbiosis in dogs, characterized by an imbalance of the gut microbiota, compromises digestive, immunological, and metabolic functions and is associated with chronic enteropathies, antibiotic use, and inappropriate diets. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a promising adjuvant therapy, consisting of the transfer of fecal material from a healthy donor to the gastrointestinal tract of a diseased recipient in order to restore microbial diversity and functionality. This technique has demonstrated high efficacy in cases of canine parvoviral enteritis, reducing hospitalization time and increasing survival rates, as well as yielding positive outcomes in the treatment of chronic diarrhea, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and Clostridioides difficile infections. Microbiota restoration occurs through mechanisms such as competition for ecological niches, bacteriocin production, and modulation of secondary bile acids. The application of FMT has also been extended to extraintestinal conditions, including atopic dermatitis, reinforcing the relevance of the gut–skin axis. Although considered a safe therapeutic approach with substantial clinical potential, FMT remains an emerging modality with limited dissemination in veterinary practice. Its consolidation and broader adoption depend on overcoming significant challenges, particularly the standardization of donor selection, processing, and administration protocols.
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