Idiopathic chronic enteropathies, including inflammatory bowel diseases, are common in dogs. Current therapies, including dietary modification, antibiotics, and glucocorticoids may be ineffective or may bring about adverse side effects.
Therapies that modify the gastrointestinal microbiome offer a promising alternative to existing treatments. Probiotics contain living microorganisms that confer health benefits or treat disease in the host animal.
We are conducting a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate a new probiotic containing three bacteria that reduce intestinal inflammation and promote intestinal healing as a treatment for chronic enteropathies in dogs.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Dogs >1 year of age with signs of gastrointestinal dysfunction lasting ≥ 3 weeks
- Free of enteric parasites and no systemic diseases based on a CBC and serum chemistry panel
- One or more of the following: Diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, changes in appetite
Study Design:
Enrolled dogs will be randomly assigned to receive either the probiotic powder or a placebo. After 30 days, dogs in the placebo group will be switched into the probiotic group so that all dogs enrolled in the trial will have the opportunity to receive the probiotic supplement.
For more information, visit: go.illinois.edu/ProbioticClinicalTrial20-21
To contact the investigators, call: 217-300-9872 or email: probiotic-trial@vetmed.illinois.edu.
