The Effects of a Ketogenic Medium-Chain Triglyceride Diet on the Feces in Dogs With Idiopathic Epilepsy
Pilla, R. et al.
2020
Frontiers in Veterinary Science

21 Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy were enrolled and fed either the MCT-KD or the placebo diet for 3 months followed by a subsequent respective switch of diet for further 3 months. Blood and fecal samples were collected; comparisons between the MCT-KD, standardized placebo diet and baseline pre-trial diet phases were made.
Eight out of eleven dogs had a reduction in seizure frequency per month, while three dogs had no response with an increase in seizure frequency. Consumption of the MCT-KD resulted in significant elevation of blood β-hydroxibutyrate concentrations in comparison with placebo diet.
Consumption of the MCT-KD led to an increase in alpha diversity of bacterial communities found in feces when compared to baseline diet; however beta-diversity was not affected by diet.
During the MCT-KD consumption, unclassified members of families Erysipelotrichaceae and Fusobacteriaceae were significantly increased compared to baseline. While Blautia sp. and Megamonas sp. were decreased during consumption of either placebo or MCT-KD.
This study highlights significant changes shown in both the microbiome and lipidome as a result of consumption of the MCT_KD; however more studies are needed to better understand the influences of MCTS on the microbiome and metabolome.