Benedetta Belà*, Giulia Pignataro, Roberta Di Prinzio, Daniele Di Simone, Paolo Emidio Crisi and Alessandro Gramenzi
Effects of Lactobacillus Reuteri NBF 1 DSM 32203 Supplementation on Healthy Dog Performance
Summary
Effects of Lactobacillus Reuteri NBF 1 DSM 32203 Supplementation on Healthy Dog Performance
In this study was evaluated the effectiveness of a specific probiotic strain, L. reuteri NBF 1 DSM 32203, on the intestinal health of healthy Golden Retriever adult dogs by analyzing their Bodyweight (BW), Body Condition Score (BCS), fecal quality and fecal moisture. In addition, microbiological analyses were carried out at specific time points during the experiment in order to quantify bacterial species such as E. coli (for the total coliform count) and Lactobacilli. The dogs included in the study were divided into two groups: control group, fed the standard commercial diet with the addition of a placebo, and treated group to which the probiotic was administered. The study lasted 35 days in line with the time needed to assess any effects. BW data showed no differences between the two groups of dogs. The fecal moisture was significantly lower at the end of the trial in the treated group compared with the control group; the beneficial effect of Lactobacillus reuteri NBF 1 DSM 32203 was also confirmed by the values of fecal score recorded among the two groups of dogs. Additionally, at the end of the study period, there was a significant increase of Lactobacilli in the treated group respect to the control group (P= <0.001). The data collected in this study report the ability of the probiotic strain L. reuteri NBF 1 DSM 32203 to improve fecal quality parameters such as fecal moisture and fecal quality in healthy adult dogs showing an increase in the Lactobacilli count and a little reduction of total coliforms.
Feed Additive Under Test
The zootechnical feed additive Lactobacillus reuteri NBF 1 DSM 32203 produced by CENTRO SPERIMENTALE DEL LATTE (CSL), is a freeze-dried microbial preparation of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 32203.
Objective of the Study
The main objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of the probiotic L. reuteri NBF1 (DSM 32203) on the body weight and fecal quality of healthy adult dogs also evaluating the ability to modulate intestinal microflora by increasing the number of beneficial bacterial species such as lactobacilli and decreasing more pathogenic ones such as E. coli.
Material and Methods
Ethical Statement
The research was conducted according to the directive 2010/63/EU, (article 1 (paragraph 5f) (EUR-Lex – 02010L0063- 20190626 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)); the study did not imply any form of animal suffering or health risk, since it focused on the administration of a natural substance. However, compliance with the decree ensured a further safeguard for the patient’s health (ANNEX_IV_7). The study was carried out under the scientific direction of the Professor Alessandro Gramenzi (University of Teramo, Italy), animal supervisor Dr. Benedetta Belà and the veterinarian in charge Dr. Meri Di Leonardo.
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