Restoring Bile Acid Metabolism After Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis in Dogs and Cats

Course overview

Peptacetobacter hiranonis is emerging as one of the most clinically important commensal bacteria in companion animal gastrointestinal health. This course provides a comprehensive overview of its evolutionary history, functional role in bile acid metabolism, and association with dysbiosis in dogs and cats. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how P. hiranonis and its closely related cat species, Peptacetobacter felis convert primary to secondary bile acids - metabolites essential for maintaining microbial balance, regulating mucosal inflammation, and inhibiting opportunistic pathogens. The session will expand on how antibiotic exposure, even months prior, reduces or eliminates P. hiranonis and P. felis, leading to impaired bile acid metabolism and a cascade of dysbiotic changes manifesting as chronic diarrhea, recurrent GI signs, and reduced microbiome resilience. We will review the phylogenetic context of the Peptacetobacter group, its susceptibility to antibiotics, and the implications for clinical decision-making. The session includes a review of recent placebo-controlled field studies evaluating targeted Peptacetobacter restoration strategies in dogs and cats. Findings from one such investigation will be presented as an example of how live biotherapeutic approaches may influence microbial and metabolic recovery. This investigation was a placebo-controlled field trial in 72 dogs and 65 cats evaluating a targeted live probiotic containing P. hiranonis or P. felis, respectively. Attendees will learn how supplementation restored microbial and metabolic balance, improved clinical outcomes, and showed sustained benefits after treatment cessation. Species-specific factors, age, and antibiotic-recency effects will be discussed, along with guidance for integrating Peptacetobacter restoration into common clinical scenarios. This course equips clinicians with evidence-based strategies to identify P. hiranonis and P. felis deficiencies, support bile acid recovery, and apply targeted microbial therapy after antibiotics, during active GI symptoms, and for long-term gut health support.