2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

In this double blinded, placebo-controlled study, a total of 34 young adult, healthy, mixed sex, purpose bred cats were randomized into two rooms by body condition. The cats were caged so that clinical findings, including appetite, could be monitored. Cats were monitored daily for appetite, attitude, hydration, vomiting and consistency of feces (FS) using the following scale; 7 = watery puddles; 6 = texture but no shape; 5 = moist piles; 4 = moist log shape; 3 = normal. After a 10 day equilibration period, cats that developed a fecal score of >4 more than twice were blocked from the study as those predisposed to stress diarrhea. All cats were administered amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox Ã’ ; Zoetis) at 62.5 mg/cat PO twice a day for 7 days. Two hours prior to the antibiotic administration, 1/4 can of canned food mixed with either 5 9 10 8 E. faecium SF68 (equivalent to the commercial product; 13 cats) or the palatability enhancer (14 cats) used in the commercial product. The palatability enhancer, SF68, and clinical scoring were continued for an additional 5 days after stopping the antibiotic.