2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Although dogs with CE showed altered proportions of fecal bile acids, differences in the expression of TGR5 in colonic samples could not be detected by immunohistochemistry. Further investigations using other techniques, including gene arrays, are needed and might contribute to the understanding of bile acid dysmetabolism in dogs with CE. It is estimated that~15% of foster kittens die or are euthanized due to illness before 8-wks of age. Most reportedly have clinical signs or post-mortem evidence of gastrointestinal disease. In children, enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) is a common cause of diarrhea, is associated with higher hazard of death, and has proven difficult to detect or experimentally model in animals. We previously reported EPEC in a series of kittens that died with diarrhea. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of EPEC infection in kittens and its association with diarrhea, diarrhea-associated mortality, specific intestinal tract pathology, and possible risk factors.