Fusi Eleonora, Rizzi Rita, Polli Michele, Cannas Simona, Giardini Alberto, Bruni Natascia, Marelli Stefano Paolo
VESPA, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Lombardia, Italy.
Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Vet Rec Open. 2019 Dec 20;6(1):e000368. doi: 10.1136/vetreco-2019-000368. eCollection 2019.
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the probiotic strain D2/CSL (CECT 4529) on nutritional condition and faecal quality in cats.
Ten healthy adult cats from the same cattery were included (aged >9 months; male:female sex ratio=3:7). The animals were randomly assigned to a control group (CTR; n=5; male:female=1:4; room 1: 16 m) and to a treated group (LACTO; n=5; male:female=2:3; room 2: 16 m) receiving the same commercial dry diet. The LACTO group diet was supplemented with the probiotic (5 x 10 cfu/kg feed at least). A five-week experimental period was applied, and nutritional status was monitored by bodyweight (BW) and body condition score (BCS). Faecal quality was evaluated using faecal score (FS) and faecal moisture (FM) parameters. Plate counts of some faecal bacteria species were carried out. The data obtained were analysed using MIXED, GLM and NPAR1WAY procedures (SAS V.9.4; P≤0.05).
The two groups did not show differences in BW and BCS data. A clear effect of the probiotic supplementation on FM was recorded (LACTO 44 per cent v CTR group 46 per cent; P=0.04). FS in the LACTO group (3.35) was close to ideal values (2-3) in comparison with the CTR group (3.75). Positive effects of D2/CSL have been recorded in terms of increase in faecal lactobacilli counts and reduction in faecal coli counts.
This study's preliminary results describe how inclusion of D2/CSL (CECT 4529) probiotic strain in cats' diets could effectively improve faecal quality parameters and consequently gut health in adult healthy cats.
本研究旨在评估益生菌菌株D2/CSL（CECT 4529）对猫营养状况和粪便质量的影响。
纳入来自同一养猫场的10只健康成年猫（年龄>9个月；雄雌比例=3:7）。将动物随机分为对照组（CTR；n=5；雄雌=1:4；1号房间：16平方米）和治疗组（LACTO；n=5；雄雌=2:3；2号房间：16平方米），两组接受相同的商业干饲料。LACTO组的饲料补充了益生菌（至少5×10 cfu/kg饲料）。进行为期五周的实验期，通过体重（BW）和身体状况评分（BCS）监测营养状况。使用粪便评分（FS）和粪便水分（FM）参数评估粪便质量。对一些粪便细菌种类进行平板计数。使用MIXED、GLM和NPAR1WAY程序（SAS V.9.4；P≤0.05）分析获得的数据。
两组在BW和BCS数据上没有差异。记录到补充益生菌对FM有明显影响（LACTO组为44%，CTR组为46%；P=0.04）。与CTR组（3.75）相比，LACTO组的FS（3.35）接近理想值（2 - 3）。已记录到D2/CSL在增加粪便乳酸杆菌计数和减少粪便大肠杆菌计数方面有积极作用。
本研究的初步结果描述了在猫的饮食中添加D2/CSL（CECT 4529）益生菌菌株如何能有效改善成年健康猫的粪便质量参数，从而改善肠道健康。
