Dick Vet hospital hails FMT successes
Poppy was one of the animals treated with FMT at the hospital.
The Dick Vet Hospital for Small Animals has celebrated some of the pets successfully treated by its veterinary surgeons using faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
Last year, the hospital launched a donor bank to provide a reliable supply of faecal microbiota from healthy animals as it continues to use FMT to treat chronic and life-threatening gut problems in cats and dogs.
Two of the pets that have benefitted from the treatment are Poppy and Gilbert.
Poppy, an eight-year-old Labrador, was referred to the hospital with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Her serum proteins had dropped and she had severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and was vomiting.
Common infections had already been ruled out, and after an ultrasound scan ruled out kidney and liver problems, she was giving a presumptive diagnosis of acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome. In addition to fluids and pain relief, the veterinary team gave her two FMTs over two days.
Following treatment, Poppy’s diarrhoea stopped, her serum protein levels were restored to normal, and she was able to be discharged with easy-to-digest prescription food and probiotics.
Gilbert, a seven-month-old British shorthair cat, was referred to the hospital with severe chronic diarrhoea and faecal incontinence. While waiting for test results, he was given FMT by the veterinary team in an attempt to reset his gut microbiota.
Almost straight away his incontinence stopped. Test results then revealed that a parasitic infection was most likely causing his diarrhoea, for which he was treated. He was discharged, like Poppy, with easy-to-digest prescription food and probiotics.
Silke Salavati, head of Internal Medicine Service at the hospital, said: “We are delighted at the success we have had in both feline and canine patients following FMT treatment.
“We place the highest importance on screening our donor material to ensure that the highest quality of microbiota is available to the animals with severe gastrointestinal problems.”
Image © Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
