107 Restricted Feeding and Weight Loss Positively Change Fecal Microbiota Populations of Obese Dogs

Abstract Canine obesity negatively influences health and well-being appears to modify gastrointestinal microbiota populations. Restricted feeding of a specially formulated diet consequent weight loss may be used improve microbiota. In this study, we aimed determine the effects restricted on fecal populations obese dogs. All procedures were approved by University Illinois IACUC prior experimentation. Twenty-four spayed female dogs (BW = 15.2±1.7 kg; BCS 8.7±0.4; age 7.2±1.6 y) in 24-wk study. A control (OR) food was fed during 4-wk baseline identify intake needed maintain BW. After (wk 0), allotted one two diets: OR or test (FT) then lose 1.5% BW/wk. Fecal samples collected at wk 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 for metabolite analyses. data evaluated using QIIME2 Mixed Models procedure SAS, with P< 0.05 considered significant. Alpha-diversity affected loss, having greater alpha-diversity than those FT. Weight increased > 0 4). Beta-diversity, as assessed weighted unweighted PCoA plots, showed separation between dietary groups all other time points after 8. Allobaculum Ruminococcus torques. also Bifidobacterium, Faecalibaculum, Parasutterella both diets, but OR. decreased Collinsella, Turicibacter, Blautia, gnavus, Faecalibacterium, Peptoclostridium Our demonstrate that alter