Domesticated horses live under different conditions compared with their extinct wild ancestors. While housed, medicated and kept on a restricted source of feed, the microbiota of domesticated horses is hypothesized to be altered. We assessed the fecal microbiome of 57 domestic and feral horses from different locations on three continents, observing geographical differences. A higher abundance of eukaryota (p < 0.05) and viruses (p < 0.05) and lower of archaea (p < 0.05) were found in feral animals when compared with domestic ones. The abundance of genes coding for microbe-produced enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in feral animals regardless of the geographic origin. Differences in the fecal resistomes between both groups of animals were also noted. The domestic/captive horse microbiomes were enriched in genes conferring resistance to tetracycline, likely reflecting the use of this antibiotic in the management of these animals. Our data showed an impoverishment of the fecal microbiome in domestic horses with diet, antibiotic exposure and hygiene being likely drivers. The results offer a view of the intestinal microbiome of horses and the impact of domestication or captivity, which may uncover novel targets for modulating the microbiome of horses to enhance animal health and well-being.

Birth weight appears to be a key indicator for survival and average daily gain (ADG) in piglets. However, parameters associated with piglet antimicrobial treatment are less explored. We assessed the factors influencing piglet survival, ADG, and first individual antimicrobial treatment. Data were collected on sex, weight, litter details, and medication throughout the lifespan of 3991 ear tagged pigs in Finland. Discrete-time survival models were performed for piglet survival and individual antimicrobial treatment as well as a linear regression model for piglet ADG from birth to slaughter. Medium (1 - 1.49 kg) and lightweight (< 1.0 kg) piglets at day 4 had 2.26 and 4.04 times higher odds of dying (in terms of odds for discrete hazards), respectively, than heavyweight (≥ 1.5 kg) piglets. Barrows and antimicrobial-treated suckling piglets had 1.81 and 1.67 times, respectively, higher odds of dying than females and unmedicated piglets. The mean average daily gain from birth to slaughter was 714 g (SD 70.2 g). Pigs born to sows grew 29.2 g/day more than pigs born to gilts, and barrows grew 13.3 g/day better than females, but these results should be interpreted with caution because a considerable number of ear tags lost during the study could have led to selection bias of the pigs with a measured ADG. Altogether 756 piglets received at least one individual parenteral antimicrobial treatment. Antimicrobial-treated pigs were to a considerable extent medicated before weaning mainly for diarrhea and leg problems during two treatment peaks: before day 8 and around weaning. Lightweight piglets at day 4 had 2.35 and piglets born to gilts 1.56 times higher odds of becoming medicated with antimicrobials than heavyweight piglets and piglets born to sows, respectively. Half of the study piglets receiving antimicrobials were treated again later. In summary, our results show that lightweight piglets at day 4 had poorer survival, and they received more antimicrobial treatments than their heavier littermates. Further, gilt offspring were medicated more frequently. This emphasizes the need to direct extra attention to litters born to gilts.

Background: Anal sac impaction is common in dogs. Manual expression may be effective, yet recurrence can be problematic. To facilitate physiological emptying of the sacs, it is important to maintain bulky stool consistency. Objectives: The study evaluated if supplementation with a complementary feed product formulated as a chew containing Bacillus velezensis C‐3102 and fibre sources, reduced anal sac impaction recurrence. Animals: Thirty‐five client‐owned dogs with anal sac impaction were enrolled. Materials and Methods: Prospective, randomised, negative controlled field clinical trial with 22 dogs receiving the chew orally for 90 consecutive days and 13 dogs with no treatment. Dogs were evaluated on Day (D) 30, 60, 90 and 120 for the presence of clinical signs of anal sac impaction and the need to empty the sacs. Any animal that required manual expression of the sacs was classified as a failure and was withdrawn from the study. Results: The cumulative percentage of failures in the untreated group increased steadily from the first follow‐up visit on D30 (15%) to the last visit on D120 (61.5%). However, in the group receiving the chew the cumulative percentage of failures increased at a much slower rate and stabilised at 19% from the D90 visit (last administration day) until the end of the study on D120, with statistically significant differences ( p = 0.025). Animals receiving the chew also showed reduction in clinical signs. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: The probiotic and fibre chew was a safe and effective management option for recurrent anal sac impaction in dogs.

Background: Lactobacillaceae have shown promise with their potential to outcompete pathogens and restore a healthy microbial balance in otitis externa (OE). Hypothesis/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of viable Lactobacillaceae over time and in vitro ability to inhibit growth of common OE pathogens. Animals: Fifteen healthy dogs were enrolled and randomised into five groups ( n = 3 per group) to receive six probiotic ear drops containing live Lactiplantibacillus plantarum YUN‐V2.0 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus YUN‐S1.0. Materials and Methods: Ear swabs were taken 24, 48, 72, 96 h and 7 days post single application for culturing. For pathogen inhibition, clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Malassezia pachydermatis were tested against the probiotic ear drop and antimicrobial disks of florfenicol 30 μg, gentamicin 30 μg, marbofloxacin 5 μg, miconazole 10 μg, neomycin 120 μg and terbinafine 1.5 μg. Results: A relatively basal low abundance of commensal and Lactobacillaceae micro‐organisms was detected (1.34 × 10 ³ colony‐forming units [cfu]/mL). At 24 h post‐application, Lactobacillaceae increased significantly (2.3 × 10 ⁶ cfu/mL; p < 0.001), and remained above 10 ⁵ cfu/mL at 1 week post‐application (1.6 × 10 ⁵ cfu/mL). Lactobacilli demonstrated better growth inhibition of P. aeruginosa than gentamicin and marbofloxacin, and of S. pseudintermedius than gentamicin, neomycin and marbofloxacin. For M. pachydermatis similar growth inhibition versus miconazole and terbinafine was observed. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: These results suggest that probiotic strains exhibit excellent retention and can inhibit the growth of S. pseudintermedius , P. aeruginosa , and M. pachydermatis .

Hen egg is a bioavailable and a palatable source of protein, fatty acids and vitamins. Egg being a bird embryo, it is adapted as an important part of a high quality carnivore and scavenger diet through evolution. The biological value of egg protein is near to 100 % with the ten essential amino acids, excluding taurine, required by cats and dogs. Functions of over 400 bioactive proteins are growingly recognized in targeting to support pet health. Egg shell membrane contains several of these biomolecules and has shown effect on joint and skin health, anti-inflammatory and antimi-crobial effect in adaptive immunity as well as in gastrointestinal disorders, such as metabolic diseases and obesity. The lipid composition of eggs is unique for an animal product with two-thirds of un-saturated fatty acids consisting of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and do-cosahexaenoic acid. Eggs are also a diverse source of vitamins providing both water and fat soluble vitamins, especially choline. The nutritional value of an egg assists in maintaining health and shows potential supporting the mobility, cognitive and gastrointestinal health as well as skin repair.

Background: Otitis externa (OE) represents a common clinical problem in dogs. Allergic dogs exhibit reduced diversity of the otic microbiota, and inflammation‐induced changes in the ear canal microenvironment result in a further decline in microbial biodiversity. Probiotics have demonstrated efficacy in certain dermatological conditions, including atopic dermatitis, which is, in turn, the leading primary cause of OE in dogs. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of probiotic‐based ear drops in controlling clinical signs related to erythroceruminous non‐infected OE in dogs. Animals: Thirty‐seven privately owned dogs with non‐infected OE. Materials and Methods: Dogs received probiotic‐based ear drops topically every 48 h for 28 days, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Assessments were performed at enrolment (Day [D]0), D14 and D28, including cytological evaluation of ear discharge, pruritus intensity (PVAS, pruritis Visual Analogue Scale), severity of otic lesions (OTIS3, 0–3 Otitis Index Score) and a quality‐of‐life survey (QoL). Results: At enrolment (D0), mean OTIS3 and PVAS scores for all included animals were 5.11 ± 1.20 and 4.93 ± 1.51, respectively. Both scores decreased significantly by D28, to 1.66 ± 1.75 and 2.09 ± 2.03, respectively. Clinical improvement was evident regardless of concomitant medication use or the type of micro‐organism's overgrowth observed during the initial cytological assessment. Owner‐reported QoL improved in 80% of the dogs. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: These probiotic‐based ear drops may be a useful adjunctive therapy in cases of canine non‐infectious erythroceruminous OE.