Comparison of faecal flora of cats based on different housing conditions with special reference to Bifidobacterium

Abstract

Faecal flora of cats was compared in different colonies. In conventional cats there were no significant qualitative differences in composition of faecal flora in 3 colonies but there was variation in numbers of enterobacteriaceae, streptococci, bifidobacteria and clostridia, Bacteroidaceae and eubacteria were the most predominant nora followed by clostridia, streptococci and lactobacilli. In SPF cats produced by hysterectomy, the numbers of clostridia and enterobacteriaceae and the frequency of occurrence of staphylococci were higher than in conventional cats, and the numbers of bacterioidaceae and lactobacilli were much lower. 44 strains of bifidobacteria isolated from the faeces of cats were identified as Bifidobacterium adolescentis biovar b and d. © 1984, Royal Society of Medicine Press. All rights reserved.