Efficacy of an orally administered anti‐diarrheal probiotic paste (Pro‐Kolin Advanced) in dogs with acute diarrhea: A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded clinical study

BACKGROUND: Acute diarrhea is a common clinical presentation of dogs. The effect of specific anti‐diarrheal probiotic pastes (ADPPs) in the management of acute, uncomplicated diarrhea in dogs is unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Administration of an ADPP containing Enterococcus faecium 4b1707 will improve the clinical outcome of acute, uncomplicated diarrhea in dogs compared to placebo. ANIMALS: One hundred forty‐eight client‐owned dogs with acute diarrhea as the main clinical sign. METHODS: Double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, randomized, blocked, multicenter clinical field study conducted at 14 primary care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom and Ireland. RESULTS: The ADPP was associated with better clinical outcome compared to placebo in dogs with acute, uncomplicated diarrhea. Dogs in the ADPP group had a significantly shorter duration of diarrhea (ADPP: median, 32 hours; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2‐118; n = 51; Placebo: median, 47 hours; 95% CI, 4‐167; n = 58; P = .008) and the rate of resolution of diarrhea was 1.60 times faster in the ADPP group than in the Placebo group (ratio, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.08‐2.44; P = .02). Fewer dogs required additional medical intervention (AMI) for non‐improvement or worsening in the ADPP group compared to the Placebo group (3.5% of dogs and 14.8% of dogs, respectively), with a relative risk of 0.88 (P = .04; AMI, ADPP, 3.5%, 2/57 dogs; Placebo, 14.8%, 9/61 dogs; relative risk, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77‐0.99). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The ADPP may accelerate resolution of acute diarrhea in dogs and decrease the requirement for AMI.