2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Fecal samples were collected from clinically healthy cats (n = 52) and from cats with CE (n = 14) before and 4 weeks after medical treatment. Chronic enteropathy was defined as the display of signs of gastrointestinal disease for ≥ 3 weeks. Cats that received antibiotics or steroids within 2 weeks prior endoscopy and fecal sampling were excluded from the study. All cats with CE underwent standard medical work-up before collecting intestinal biopsies endoscopically. Fecal DNA was evaluated using quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis for: total bacteria, Fusobacteria, Streptococcus spp., Blautia spp., E. coli, Faecalibacterium spp., Turicibacter spp., and Clostridium hiranonis. Differences in bacterial abundance among healthy cats and cats with CE (before treatment) were evaluated using a Mann Whitney test. Samples collected before and after treatment from each affected cat were compared using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. The Feline Chronic Enteropathy Activity Index (FCEAI) was compared in cats with CE before and after treatment using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.