2018 Volume 21 Issue 3 Pages 126-131
In cases of canine food allergic dermatitis, we often experience the alteration of fecal condition (diarrhea or constipation) after change of food in patients. It is easy to assume the cause of fecal alteration is associated with the change of intestinal microflora. However, the change of intestinal microflora and its relationship to fecal condition after the provision of a diet for food allergy control are unknown in dogs. The present study evaluated the intestinal microflora and fecal condition in dogs after the provision of a food allergy prescription diet. Six clinically healthy dogs were fed a commercial food allergy prescription diet, including salmon mono protein, for the duration of four weeks. Simultaneously, apple fiber (10g/day/head) was given in the last two weeks. Two weeks after the start of the food allergy prescription diet, the relative rates of the intestinal microflora Streptococcus and Prevotellaceae declined. In contrast, the rate of Bacteroidales increased. The additional supply of apple fiber induced a significant increase in Bacteroidales and Clostridiales and/or Fusobacteriaceae compared to their rates pre-examination. The lactic, butyric and propionic acids in feces declined after feeding of the food allergy prescription diet, and there was no change in these acids after the apple fiber addition. The fecal condition score did not change during the experimental period (four weeks). The water content in feces declined after feeding of the food allergy prescription diet, but the apple fiber addition had no influence. Fecal pH increased significantly after feeding of the food allergy prescription diet and slightly decreased after the apple fiber addition. The present study suggests that the feeding of a food allergy prescription diet has the potential to cause changes in intestinal microflora and fecal condition, while an apple fiber addition has no influence to improve either the intestinal microflora or fecal condition.
