Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx Jubatus</i>) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot Study
Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx jubatus</i>) are classified as “vulnerable” species due to the low numbers persisting in the wild. Gastrointestinal diseases are very common in this species when they are kept in captivity, in particular gastritis. Clinical signs are predominantly characterized by v...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/3/395 |
| _version_ | 1797489459801882624 |
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| author | Sara Mangiaterra Anne Schmidt-Küntzel Laurie Marker Alessandro Di Cerbo Renato Piccinini Davide Guadagnini Maria Elena Turba Sara Berardi Livio Galosi Silvia Preziuso Matteo Cerquetella Giacomo Rossi |
| author_facet | Sara Mangiaterra Anne Schmidt-Küntzel Laurie Marker Alessandro Di Cerbo Renato Piccinini Davide Guadagnini Maria Elena Turba Sara Berardi Livio Galosi Silvia Preziuso Matteo Cerquetella Giacomo Rossi |
| author_sort | Sara Mangiaterra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx jubatus</i>) are classified as “vulnerable” species due to the low numbers persisting in the wild. Gastrointestinal diseases are very common in this species when they are kept in captivity, in particular gastritis. Clinical signs are predominantly characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anorexia. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic in two groups of cheetahs: Group A (<i>n</i> = 4)—rescued cheetahs housed at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (Otjiwarongo, Namibia); Group B (<i>n</i> = 9)—captive cheetahs housed in Italian zoos. Animals showed gastrointestinal signs of different severity, and were positive for <i>Helicobacter</i> spp., detected by PCR in stool samples. Two sachets of probiotic formulation were administered to all cheetahs once a day for 21 consecutive days. Clinical conditions (appetite loss, vomiting, stool consistency and Body Condition Score) before (T0) and after 21 days of probiotic administration (T1) were then compared using a simplified Feline Chronic Enteropathy Activity Index (FCEAI) score. A slight but not significant improvement in the scores was observed in Group A, which had mild intestinal symptoms, while a significant decrease in vomiting and stool consistency (**<i>p</i> < 0.01) scores was observed in Group B, which had more pronounced symptoms. Results suggest that high concentrations of live probiotics can be of help in managing gastrointestinal signs in cheetahs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:16:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4ed644e791b04ea8ad3adbf2ab4f9b08 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:16:54Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-4ed644e791b04ea8ad3adbf2ab4f9b082023-11-23T15:49:03ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-02-0112339510.3390/ani12030395Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx Jubatus</i>) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot StudySara Mangiaterra0Anne Schmidt-Küntzel1Laurie Marker2Alessandro Di Cerbo3Renato Piccinini4Davide Guadagnini5Maria Elena Turba6Sara Berardi7Livio Galosi8Silvia Preziuso9Matteo Cerquetella10Giacomo Rossi11School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, ItalyCheetah Conservation Fund, Otjiwarongo 9000, NamibiaCheetah Conservation Fund, Otjiwarongo 9000, NamibiaSchool of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, ItalyFalconara Zoo Park, 60015 Falconara, AN, ItalyParco Faunistico Le Cornelle, 24030 Valbrembo, BG, ItalyGenefast Laboratory, 47122 Forlì, FC, ItalyDVM Freelance Consultant, 62100 Macerata, MC, ItalySchool of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, ItalySchool of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, ItalySchool of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, ItalySchool of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, ItalyCheetahs (<i>Acinonyx jubatus</i>) are classified as “vulnerable” species due to the low numbers persisting in the wild. Gastrointestinal diseases are very common in this species when they are kept in captivity, in particular gastritis. Clinical signs are predominantly characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anorexia. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic in two groups of cheetahs: Group A (<i>n</i> = 4)—rescued cheetahs housed at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (Otjiwarongo, Namibia); Group B (<i>n</i> = 9)—captive cheetahs housed in Italian zoos. Animals showed gastrointestinal signs of different severity, and were positive for <i>Helicobacter</i> spp., detected by PCR in stool samples. Two sachets of probiotic formulation were administered to all cheetahs once a day for 21 consecutive days. Clinical conditions (appetite loss, vomiting, stool consistency and Body Condition Score) before (T0) and after 21 days of probiotic administration (T1) were then compared using a simplified Feline Chronic Enteropathy Activity Index (FCEAI) score. A slight but not significant improvement in the scores was observed in Group A, which had mild intestinal symptoms, while a significant decrease in vomiting and stool consistency (**<i>p</i> < 0.01) scores was observed in Group B, which had more pronounced symptoms. Results suggest that high concentrations of live probiotics can be of help in managing gastrointestinal signs in cheetahs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/3/395cheetahgastroenteric disorders<i>Helicobacter</i> spp.probiotics |
| spellingShingle | Sara Mangiaterra Anne Schmidt-Küntzel Laurie Marker Alessandro Di Cerbo Renato Piccinini Davide Guadagnini Maria Elena Turba Sara Berardi Livio Galosi Silvia Preziuso Matteo Cerquetella Giacomo Rossi Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx Jubatus</i>) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot Study Animals cheetah gastroenteric disorders <i>Helicobacter</i> spp. probiotics |
| title | Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx Jubatus</i>) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot Study |
| title_full | Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx Jubatus</i>) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx Jubatus</i>) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx Jubatus</i>) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot Study |
| title_short | Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx Jubatus</i>) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot Study |
| title_sort | effect of a probiotic mixture in captive cheetahs i acinonyx jubatus i with gastrointestinal symptoms a pilot study |
| topic | cheetah gastroenteric disorders <i>Helicobacter</i> spp. probiotics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/3/395 |
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