2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

135 kittens 1-2 weeks of age were entered into the 6-week trial. Kittens were maintained on PetAg KMR Ò milk replacer for a 1 week acclimation period prior to randomization into groups of 2 or 3 for probiotic or placebo administration. Kittens were maintained on KMR Ò and treated for 2 weeks prior to weaning onto a commercial canned diet at week 4. Fresh feces from all kittens were scored daily for consistency (score 1 = liquid diarrhea; 2 = soft, unformed; 3 = soft, formed; 4 = normal). Feces were evaluated for enteropathogens via centrifugation flotation, bacterial culture, toxin immunoassays, and PCR. 81 kittens completed the trial (placebo n = 36; probiotic n = 45). Enteropathogens detected included: Isospora felis (16.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (8.2%), Clostridium difficile toxin A/B (27.3%), C. perfringens enterotoxin (2.6%), Salmonella (2.7%), Panleukopenia (1.4%), and Coronavirus (6.8%). Median fecal consistency scores during weeks 4 and 5 were ≥ 3 in both groups, but were associated with significantly improved scores in the placebo versus probiotic group (P = 0.013).