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- Author or Editor: Olivier P. Ballèvre x
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Abstract
Objective—To determine effects of oral administration of metronidazole on the number and species of duodenal bacteria and selective nutrients of cats.
Animals—6 healthy domestic shorthair cats.
Procedure—Undiluted duodenal fluid was obtained for quantitative and qualitative bacterial culture to determine species and number of bacteria in healthy cats. Blood samples were assayed for taurine, total protein, albumin, cobalamin, and folate concentrations. Cats then were given metronidazole (20 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 12 h) for 1 month, after which bacterial cultures and serum assays of nutrients were repeated. Nine months after cessation of antibiotic treatment, duodenal bacteria were re-evaluated and serum was assayed for total protein, albumin, cobalamin, and folate concentrations.
Results—Oral administration of metronidazole caused a significant decrease in aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts in the duodenum of healthy cats, accompanied by emergence of Streptococcus spp and Corynebacterium spp. Serum concentrations of cobalamin and albumin increased when duodenal bacterial counts were decreased, although changes in folate or taurine concentrations were not detected. Measured variables did not differ, when comparing results obtained before and 9 months after cessation of metronidazole.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Oral administration of metronidazole decreased the number of aerobic bacteria and altered indigenous flora in the small bowel of cats. Normal duodenal flora appeared to be stable, because species of bacteria were reestablished by 9 months after cessation of metronidazole. Bacterial flora appeared to have an impact on nutrients, because albumin and cobalamin increased during antibiotic administration and returned to preadministration concentrations after cessation of the antimicrobial. (Am J Vet Res 2000;61:1106–1112)
Abstract
Objective—To evaluate intestinal permeability and absorption in healthy cats in association with diet and normal intestinal microflora.
Animals—6 healthy domestic shorthair cats.
Procedure—A sugar solution containing D-xylose, 3- 0-methyl-D-glucose, L-rhamnose, lactulose, and 51Cr- EDTA was administered intragastrically to healthy cats, and urinary excretion of ingested sugars was determined 5 hours after administration. After the same cats had received metronidazole for 1 month, the study was repeated. A final study was performed while cats were maintained on a new diet differing in composition and processing.
Results—Lactulose-to-rhamnose ratios, reflecting intestinal permeability, were higher in cats, compared with values for humans or dogs, and values obtained before and after metronidazole administration (mean ± SEM; before, 0.40 ± 0.08; after, 0.45 ± 0.09) were not significantly different. Intestinal absorption also was unaltered after antibiotic administration, and the xylose-to-glucose ratio was 0.70 ± 0.03 before and 0.71 ± 0.06 after metronidazole administration. Sugar recovery did not differ significantly while cats were maintained on canned or dry food.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Reference ranges were established for the percentage urinary recovery of orally administered D-xylose, 3-0-methyl-Dglucose, L-rhamnose, lactulose, and 51Cr-EDTA obtained after 5 hours in healthy cats. The intestines of cats appear to be more permeable than those of other species, although the normal bacterial microflora does not appear to influence the integrity or function of the feline intestine, because values obtained for the measured variables before or after antibiotic administration were not significantly different. In addition, differences were not detected when the diet was completely altered. ( Am J Vet Res 2001;62:111–118)
