Effect of esomeprazole with and without a probiotic on fecal dysbiosis, intestinal inflammation, and fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations in healthy dogs

Abstract

Background: Proton pump inhibitors can cause diarrhea and a transient increase in fecal dysbiosis index in dogs. It is unknown if concurrent probiotic administration mitigates these effects. Objective/Hypothesis: To assess the fecal Canine Microbial Dysbiosis Index (CMDI), fecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA), and fecal calprotectin concentrations in dogs administered esomeprazole with and without a probiotic. Animals: Eleven healthy dogs. Methods: Prospective, within-subjects before and after study. All dogs received 7-day courses of esomeprazole (1 mg/kg PO q 24h) alone followed by esomeprazole with a probiotic (15 billion CFU/kg), separated by a 4-week washout period. Data were compared between phases using mixed effects ANOVA or generalized estimating equations with post-hoc Holm adjustment for 2-way comparisons. Results: Compared to baseline (mean CMDI −2.66, SD 3.04), fecal CMDI was not different with esomeprazole administration alone (mean CMDI −1.48, SD 3.32, P =.08), but there was a significant increase (Diff 3.05, 95% CI [1.37, 4.74], P