Faecal Microbiota Transplants – sounds disgusting right?

So what is a faecal microbiota transplant (a.k.a. FMT), and why are we even bringing it up?

As the name suggests, an FMT consists of taking faeces/poo from a healthy dog and placing it in the digestive tract of a sick dog. Affectionately known at Nicklin Way Vet Surgery as “poop smoothies”, it consists of using a healthy dog’s poo to repopulate another dog’s bowel with many kinds of good bacteria.

Why would we willingly blend faeces?

Dogs and cats who suffer from chronic cases of inflammatory bowel disease are the most likely candidates for FMTs. It is usually considered when there has been a poor response to conventional therapies such as diet, medications and probiotics.

Interestingly, chronic diarrhoea cases are not the only patients who can benefit from a healthy dog’s faeces. While not well-studied in animals yet, there have been reports of using FMT for dogs with anxiety, chronic skin problems and even obesity.

Faecal donors – the dogs who provide the poop smoothies.

These dogs are our poo-providing heroes. Our donors have to be of certain age and follow strict screening rules. They have to be regularly checked for infectious organisms, not be on any medications, not fed a raw diet and have no underlying concerns.  Arguably, the most important thing is to have normal fully-formed faeces!

So how do we do it?

Using the fresh faeces, the sample must be blended into a fine slurry. The recipient dog or cat usually requires sedation as a small tube is passed in through the rectum to allow the slurry to be administered directly into the recipient’s intestine. Side-effects are minimal and can consist of a short period of flatulence, vomiting or diarrhoea. Generally, it requires multiple treatments which are tailored to each individual patient and their response.

While not well studied in the veterinary world, it has been used in humans over many centuries in different forms and is becoming a more common practice in our furry friends.

If this sounds like something that may help your pet, contact Nicklin Way Vet Surgery for 5493 2655 or more advice and an appointment to discuss suitability.

 

Written by Dr Belinda Feodoroff, BVSc