GI13 - Efficacy of a Synbiotic-IgY Supplement in Treatment of Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Clinical Observations

Abstract: Background: Dysbiosis is associated with mucosal inflammation in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Treatments attempting to reduce mucosal inflammation by normalizing dysbiotic states are a rapidly growing research area. A dietary supplement containing a synbiotic and avian Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) was developed to correct gut dysbiosis, reduce gastrointestinal (GI) signs, and target intestinal inflammation.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of a synbiotic/IgY supplement on clinical disease activity, intestinal histopathology, gut microbiome, and serum metabolome in dogs with IBD.

Animals: Twenty dogs diagnosed with IBD were randomized to receive a hydrolyzed diet with (n=11) or without (n=9) synbiotic/IgY supplement for 6 weeks. Dogs failing remission after two weeks of primary treatment also received oral cyclosporine at 5mg/kg.

Methods: Clinical disease activity, endoscopic lesions, histologic inflammation, and frequency of treatment escalation were assessed in both groups before and after treatment. Biologic samples for microbiologic and metabolomic analyses were archived for later analysis.

Results: There were no differences in baseline clinical parameters between groups (p > 0.05). Final data analysis showed decreased clinical disease activity and endoscopic scores in both groups after treatment (p < 0.05). Five dogs required treatment escalation with four of five dogs maintaining remission until trial completion. There was no difference in histologic inflammation pre- versus post-treatment for either group (p > 0.05).


Conclusions: While this study was likely underpowered, the administration of a synbiotic/IgY supplement with hydrolyzed diet over 6 weeks was well tolerated and associated with reduced clinical disease activity and endoscopic scores, like placebo.