Randomized placebo-controlled trial of feline-origin probiotic effects on preventative health and fecal microbiota composition of fostered shelter kittens.

Introduction: Diarrhea is the second most common cause of mortality in shelter kittens. Studies examining prevention strategies in this population are lacking. Probiotics are of particular interest but studies in cats are largely limited to healthy adults or those with induced disease.

Interventions and observations associated with survival of orphaned shelter kittens undergoing treatment for diarrhea.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify significant associations between treatment interventions and survival of orphaned shelter kittens with diarrhea.

Methods: Orphaned kittens admitted to a large open-intake municipal animal shelter and entering a volunteer foster care provider network between April 2016 and July 2017 were studied. Individual orphaned kittens for which the care provider sought examination by shelter veterinarians because of clinical signs of diarrhea were included.

Association of Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli with Diarrhea and Related Mortality in Kittens.

Diarrhea is responsible for the death of approximately 900,000 children per year worldwide. In children, typical enteropathogenic (EPEC) is a common cause of diarrhea and is associated with a higher hazard of death. Typical EPEC infection is rare in animals and poorly reproduced in experimental animal models.