Responsible use of antimicrobials can go a long way toward safeguarding the health of dogs.

Canine diarrhea is a concern for pet owners that often prompts visits to veterinary clinics. The use of antimicrobials has been a common practice to treat canine diarrhea. However, three recent studies are challenging the conventional approach, suggesting a reconsideration of antimicrobial use.

Study 1: Target Trial Emulation in Veterinary Care

A recent study, involving target trial emulation, applied design principles from randomized controlled trials to observational data in veterinary clinical records. Focusing on acute diarrhea in dogs, the study evaluated the impact of antimicrobial and gastrointestinal nutraceutical prescriptions on clinical resolution.

Findings from this study revealed that neither antimicrobial nor gastrointestinal nutraceutical prescriptions at the first presentation of acute diarrhea in dogs significantly influenced clinical resolution. This challenges the routine use of antimicrobials for canine diarrhea, supporting a call to limit their use.

Study 2: Antibiotics Versus Nutraceuticals

In another study conducted in 2022, a direct comparison between antibiotic administration and a nutraceutical product was conducted. Thirty dogs with acute non-hemorrhagic diarrhea were randomly assigned to either receive an antibiotic combination (metronidazole and spiramycin) or a nutraceutical commercial product.

Surprisingly, the nutraceutical treatment exhibited a similar clinical effect compared to the antibiotic formulation. Stool consistency and frequency improved in both groups, suggesting that a nutraceutical approach could be a valid antibiotic-sparing therapeutic option for managing acute diarrhea in dogs.

Study 3: Dietary Management Outcomes

A 2021 study focused on dietary management for canine noninfectious acute colitis, exploring the outcomes with or without concurrent oral administration of metronidazole. The results showed that a dietary approach, with or without psyllium enhancement, proved superior to metronidazole alone. Notably, the omission of metronidazole reduced the adverse impact on intestinal microbiota.

Collectively, these studies present a compelling case for reevaluating the use of antimicrobials, particularly antibiotics, in the management of canine diarrhea. The target trial emulation and direct comparisons between antimicrobials and nutraceuticals highlight the lack of significant differences in clinical outcomes, challenging the conventional wisdom of antibiotic use for this common condition.

The findings from these studies resonate with a growing concern about antibiotic resistance and the need to avoid the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in both human and veterinary medicine. As responsible veterinary professionals, it’s crucial to consider alternative approaches, such as dietary management and nutraceuticals, which not only exhibit similar clinical efficacy but also spare the potential risks associated with antibiotic use.