Effect of faecal microbial transplantation on clinical outcome, faecal microbiota and metabolome in dogs with chronic enteropathy refractory to diet

Chronic enteropathy (CE) is a common complaint in canine gastroenterology. Recently, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) gained attention as a treatment strategy. However, the efficacy and long-term impact of FMT is still unclear. Clinical index (CIBDAI), faecal microbiota and metabolome were monitored in 20 CE dogs refractory to diet before (T0) and 3 months (T3) after FMT. Further data were retrospectively collected up to 1-year after FMT. Significant improvements were observed in CIBDAI, Dysbiosis Index (DI), and primary (PBAs) and secondary (SBAs) faecal bile acids and propionate one month (T1) after FMT (CIBDAI (median and range): T0 5 (1–9) vs. T1 1 (0–5), p < 0.0001; DI (median and range): T0 -0.1 (-5.6 to 3.8) vs. T1 -2.1 (-5.7 to 4.7), p < 0.05; PBAs decreased by 57%, SBAa increased by 41%; propionate increased by 20%). According to CIBDAI, 17 dogs clinically improved up to T3, and 10 dogs remained clinically stable up to one year after FMT. Alpha- and beta-diversity of the faecal microbiota of CE dogs did not differ, neither before nor after FMT, from that of 17 healthy controls. The results highlight that CE dogs refractory to diet with mild clinical signs and dysbiosis may benefit long-term from treatment with FMT.