Beneficial Effects of Probiotics on Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota Induced by Antibiotic Treatment in Healthy Dogs

Abstract

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining host health. While numerous studies have explored the impact of antibiotics on the gut microbiome in humans, there is limited research on how antibiotics affect the gut microbiota in dogs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of antibiotic treatment on the gut microbiota in dogs and assess whether probiotic supplementation can prevent antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Fourteen healthy young dogs undergoing castration were included in the study. All dogs received a single injection of cefovecin, a third-generation cephalosporin with a two-week duration, on the day of surgery. Seven dogs were supplemented daily with a probiotic complex for two weeks following cefovecin administration, while the other seven dogs received no supplementation. Fecal samples were collected on the day of surgery and two weeks later during the follow-up visit for suture removal. Microbiome analysis revealed that α-diversity was significantly higher in the probiotic-supplemented group compared to the group without probiotics (p < 0.05). Additionally, bacterial relative abundance analysis showed that Clostridioides, a known marker of antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, significantly increased in dogs without probiotics after antibiotic treatment (p < 0.05). In contrast, Butyricicoccaceae, including Butyricicoccus, a family of butyrate-producing bacteria with gut health benefits, was significantly enriched in dogs receiving probiotics (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that probiotic supplementation supports a healthier gut microbiome recovery following antibiotic treatment, highlighting the potential benefits of probiotics during antibiotic therapy to prevent dysbiosis.

Keywords: gut microbiome, dogs, probiotics, antibiotics, gut dysbiosis