How Does Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 34246 (Canobios-BL) var. boulardii Supplementation Impact the Fecal Parameters of Healthy Adult Dogs?

Background: A supplement containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 34246 (Canobios-BL) var. boulardii was tested to demonstrate its efficacy as a gut health stabilizer in two breeds of dogs, West Highland White Terrier (WT) and German Shepherd (GS). Methods: A randomized double-blind controlled trial was performed on a total of 53 healthy adult dogs, 28 WT and 25 GS. The animals were randomly assigned to a control group (CTR: WT 14/28, GS 12/25) and to a treated group (SACC; WT 14/28, GS 13/25). The CTR group was fed with dry commercial food, while the SACC group was fed with the same food but supplemented with S. boulardii at the concentration of 5 × 109 CFU/kg. The study lasted 35 days and included six evaluation time points (T0-T5). Body Weight (BW), Body Condition Score (BCS), Fecal Score (FS), FS measured with a penetrometer (FSp), Fecal Dry matter (DM), Fecal Humidity (UM), and Fecal IgA (IgA) were measured at each time point. Results: A significant improvement (p < 0.1) in BCS, FS, FSp, DM, UM, and IgA in the SACC group compared to the CTR for both WT and GS was reported. Conclusions: We found a positive effect of S. boulardii supplementation on the improvement of the fecal parameters and on the maintenance of good physiological as well as biological conditions in healthy adult dogs in breeding conditions.