Gastrointestinal Diet Effects on Dysbiosis Index and Clinical Outcomes in Cats with Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy

Abstract:

Background: The effects of gastrointestinal (GI) diets on microbiota of chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) cats remains unknown, as previous studies evaluated diet in healthy cats. Hypothesis/

Objectives: To evaluate a GI diet on microbiota and clinical outcomes in food-responsive (FR) and food-nonresponsive (FNR) CIE cats. Diet was expected to reduce clinical signs and dysbiosis. Animals: Twenty-three client-owned cats, 16 CIE (2 diarrhea, 13 vomiting, 1 both) and 7 healthy controls (HC).

Methods: CIE cats (vomiting/diarrhea ≥ 3 weeks) without comorbidities or gut-affecting medications and HC cats were included. CIE cats received a GI diet for 60 days and HC for 15 days. Clinical signs, feline chronic enteropathy activity index (FCEAI), dysbiosis index (DI), muscle score, and fecal score were assessed pre- and post-diet, FR was defined as ≥50% improvement.

Results: Among CIE cats, nine were FR and seven FNR. DI and microbial components did not differ between groups or over time, however Bacteroides was higher in FNR than FR before diet (p = 0.04), and three FR cats (33.3%; mostly vomiting, one diarrhea) had dysbiosis, which normalized after diet, the only FNR cat with dysbiosis (vomiting) shifted to the normal zone. All FR cats improved clinical signs: fecal score (1.0-1.5/5 to 2.5-4.0/5), emesis (7/7; p = 0.02), and FCEAI (7/9; p = 0.02). FNR and HC cats had normal fecal scores. Muscle loss occurred only in FNR cats (p = 0.04). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: GI diet improved clinical signs and normalized dysbiosis in CIE cats, supporting its use as intervention.