2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

This study showed that fecal N-methylhistamine concentrations may be increased in dogs with EPI, especially when German Shepherds or German Shepherd mixes. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms that are responsible for this finding and if increased fecal NMH concentrations are associated with an altered clinical outcome. The pathogenesis of chronic constipation (CC) and idiopathic megacolon (IMC) are poorly understood in humans and animals. In particular, it is unknown whether there are abnormalities involving the extrinsic nerves, the enteric nerve plexuses, interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) or the intestinal smooth muscle. Abnormalities of any of these components could lead to gut dilatation and impaired motility. Chronic constipation and megacolon occurs more often in the cat than the dog. In humans, probiotics have been increasingly investigated in the management of these colonic motility dysfunctions, particularly their effect on gut transit time, stool output, and constipation relief. While probiotics are used frequently in small animal practice, there are no published studies regarding their clinical efficacy in cats with CC and IMC. The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical and histological effects of a commercial multi-strain probiotic (SI-VOY TM ), containing 200 billion lactic acid bacteria comprised of the following strains: L. acidophilus DSM24735, L. plantarum DSM24730, L. paracasei DSM 24733, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus DSM24734, L. brevis CD2 #11988, Streptococcus thermophilus DSM 24731, B. longum DSM 24736, and B. infantis DSM 24737.