Aims: The aim of this study was to isolate and identify Lactobacillus spp. isolates from faeces of a healthy dog, and to characterize their potential as probiotics in order to evaluate their possible use as probiotics for dogs.
Methods and results: An in vitro approach was used to characterize the isolates as potential probiotics including the evaluation of pH and bile salts tolerance, production of antimicrobial substances, biofilm formation on glass and polystyrene surfaces, aggregation ability and adhesion to canine intestinal mucus. The isolates survived to different pH and bile salts conditions, inhibited the in vitro growth of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens, and adhered to glass and intestinal mucus.
Conclusions: The properties shown by these isolates may indicate that they could colonize and persist in the gastrointestinal tract and induce beneficial effects to the host.
Significance and impact of study: The evaluation of native canine isolates and future experimental feeding assays may be useful tools to develop probiotics to improve animal health and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.