Microbiome Restoration via Fecal Transplant: A Novel Approach to Feline Gut Health

The gut microbiome is an extremely complex ecosystem made up of different microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungus, and protozoa. It plays an important role in maintaining host health through protection provided by the immune system against the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by harmful enteropathogens, ensuring integrity of the epithelial cells, and enhancing absorptive capability of nutrition by enterocytes. The scientific literature of the last years underlined the role of metabolites produced by intestinal microbiota, better known as intestinal metabolome, and how much it can influence the general health of the host. In particular, from literature, it emerged that some metabolites produced by gut microbiota can affect the immune system, metabolism, and gut health. Fecal microbiota transplantation is one method of restoring or augmenting gut microbiota in an individual, especially when one has gastrointestinal problems. While it has also been employed in cases of chronic enteropathies in cats when conventional therapy has failed. Despite the limited application of FMT in cats, there is a requirement for evidence-based guidelines on its implementation in clinical settings to ensure that the intestinal health of felines is at an optimum best after FMT. In this way Veterinarians will have a new way of treating gastrointestinal disorders that are not responding to conventional medications more effectively. Thats why standardized protocols are important to improve the overall health and wellness in the feline patient. The following article highlights the importance and implementation of FMT in feline practice to ensure sound gut health.