Effect of an Enteroprotective Complementary Feed on Faecal Markers of Inflammation and Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Weaning Puppies

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Numerous changes occur in the gut of puppies during the delicate phase of weaning, in which they have an increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal disorders and infections. This study investigated the effects of a four-week administration of a supplement composed of ultramicronised Palmitoylethanolamide, bovine colostrum and Bacillus subtilis (Normalia(®) Extra, Innovet Italia Srl, Saccolongo, Italy) on markers of gut health and microbiome of four-week-old Golden Retriever weaning puppies. No differences emerged between the control (n = 13) and the treated puppies (n = 16) with regard to growth rate and faecal quality at any study time. Faecal markers of gut inflammation were significantly decreased in treated puppies, especially at the end of the study. Few significant modifications occurred in the gut microbiome of treated puppies. We suggest that dietary integration of the study’s complementary feed can promote the intestinal health of puppies and therefore facilitate weaning. ABSTRACT: Weaning entails numerous modifications of the intestinal structure and microbiota composition, making puppies at high risk of sickness during this delicate life stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a four-week administration of a supplement composed of ultramicronised Palmitoylethanolamide, bovine colostrum and Bacillus subtilis (Normalia(®) Extra, Innovet Italia Srl, Saccolongo, Italy) on markers of gut health and microbiome of weaning puppies. Twenty-nine four-week-old Golden Retriever puppies were randomly assigned to control (CG, n = 13) and treated (TG, n = 16) groups. During the whole experimental time, there were no differences between the groups with regard to average daily gain and faecal score. In TG, faecal calprotectin and zonulin values were statistically significantly decreased compared to CG, especially at week 8 (zonulin: 42.8 ± 1.54 ng/mL and 55.3 ± 42.8 ng/mL, and calprotectin: 2.91 ± 0.38 µg/g and 5.71 ± 0.43 µg/g, in TG and CG, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Bacteria belonging to phylum Campylobacterota decreased (p = 0.04), while those referring to genera Coprococcus and Pseudomonas increased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). The supplementation of the tested complementary feed can promote the intestinal health of puppies and therefore facilitate weaning by lowering gut inflammation.