Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a transformative therapy in human medicine, particularly for managing recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections and other gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Beyond the GI tract, FMT has shown potential in addressing extraintestinal conditions in people, including metabolic, immune-mediated, dermatological, neurological, and infectious diseases. Research in people has highlighted its efficacy in decolonising multidrug-resistant organisms in infection, mitigating autoimmune diseases, and improving outcomes in metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, FMT has also been linked to enhanced responses to immunotherapy in cancer and improved management of hepatic and renal conditions. These findings underscore the intricate connections between the gut microbiome and systemic health, opening novel therapeutic avenues. In veterinary medicine, while FMT has demonstrated benefits for GI disorders, its application in extraintestinal diseases remains largely unexplored. Emerging evidence suggests that conditions such as atopic dermatitis, chronic kidney disease, immune-mediated diseases, and behavioural disorders in companion animals could benefit from microbiome-targeted therapies. However, significant gaps in knowledge persist, particularly regarding the long-term safety and efficacy for veterinary applications. This review synthesises findings from human medicine to assess their relevance for veterinary applications and future research.

The role of petting zoo animals in the dissemination of disease has been widely studied, yet understanding the potential reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these centres has not been explored in the United Kingdom (UK). To understand the carriage of AMR pathogens within petting zoos, this study aimed to identify AMR in E. coli and Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) isolated from faeces and skin, respectively, including selective cultures for ESBL-E. coli and methicillin-resistant staphylococci. Faecal samples and skin swabs were collected from 166 petted mammals across eight UK centres to recover E. coli and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), respectively, through enrichment culture methods, plating onto non-selective (tryptone bile-x agar, mannitol salt agar) and selective media (ESBL ChromID, mannitol salt agar with 6 mg/L oxacillin). Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion, covering eight classes of antimicrobials. Antimicrobial usage records from the past 12-months were obtained from 7/8 centres. Overall, 145/166 faecal samples yielded 223 E. coli isolates, with an overall AMR prevalence of 42.6%. Thirteen E. coli isolates (from 8.5% of animals) were classified as multidrug-resistant. ESBL-producing E. coli were detected in 5/166 faecal samples. From 166 skin swabs, 84 yielded CoPS isolates, with S. aureus (n = 70), SIG (n = 13) and S. hyicus (n = 1) identified. Overall, 25.3% of SIG isolates exhibited resistance to at least one antimicrobial. Antimicrobial usage correlated positively with AMR prevalence for E. coli (p < 0.001), though was not associated with multidrug-resistance. This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of AMR within bacteria isolated from UK petting zoo animals, highlighting this reservoir of AMR bacteria.

Stool sampling is a useful tool for diagnosing gastrointestinal disease in veterinary medicine. The sub-clinical disease burden of Salmonella spp. in cattle can become significant for farmers. However, current methods of faecal sampling in a rural setting for diagnosis are not consistently sufficient for the preservation of Salmonella spp. in faeces. This study evaluated the use of a commercial stool storage kit for bacterial preservation in cow faecal samples compared to unpreserved stools placed into refrigeration at different time-points. A stool sample was collected per-rectum from one apparently healthy Holstein–Freisen cow. The sample was weighed and aliquoted into two sterile Falcon tubes and into two commercial kit tubes. The aliquots were then placed into refrigeration at 4 °C at 0, 24, and 96 h after processing. One commercial kit tube was not aliquoted and remained at ambient temperature. After 2 weeks, DNA was extracted from the samples and analysed using endpoint PCR, revealing a sub-clinical infection with Salmonella spp. The bacterium was best preserved when the stool was stored in the commercial kit at ambient temperature and re-homogenised immediately prior to DNA extraction. The unpreserved stool did not maintain obvious levels of Salmonella spp. after 24 h at ambient temperature. This commercial kit should be considered for use in the diagnosis of salmonellosis in cattle.

This narrative literature review critically evaluates current evidence on the management of pneumothorax in dogs and cats, reviewing surgical and nonsurgical treatment strategies according to underlying etiology to support evidence‐based clinical decision‐making. Published studies involving dogs and cats with pneumothorax were reviewed, with emphasis on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of the condition and outcomes associated with surgical and nonsurgical treatments across different etiologies. Current evidence indicates that both medical and surgical management can achieve favorable outcomes, with low reported recurrence rates when appropriately selected. Nonsurgical approaches may provide effective, minimally invasive treatment in selected cases, whereas surgical intervention enables direct thoracic exploration, identification and correction of underlying pulmonary lesions, and definitive treatment of refractory or severe pneumothorax. Treatment selection should be guided by disease etiology, severity, patient stability, available resources, and clinician expertise. Both surgical and nonsurgical treatments can be effective when tailored to the underlying cause and clinical presentation, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment planning to optimize outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence to guide clinical decision‐making in the management of pneumothorax in dogs and cats and highlights the need for high‐quality studies evaluating long‐term outcomes to strengthen the evidence base.