At ARH Essendon Fields, our Internal Medicine department has launched an exciting new service: Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for dogs. As part of this innovative treatment program for gastrointestinal disease, we are on the lookout for healthy canine heroes—suitable donor dogs who can help their fellow pups on the road to recovery.

What is Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for dogs?

FMT involves transferring faecal material from a healthy dog into the intestinal tract of a sick dog to restore a balanced gut microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome plays a vital role in digestion, immunity, and overall wellbeing. When a dog’s microbiota becomes disrupted—due to disease, infection, or prolonged antibiotic use—FMT can help correct the imbalance and improve gastrointestinal health.

Could Your Dog Be an Ideal Donor?

We are seeking healthy adult dogs (12 months and older) who meet the following criteria:

• No history of chronic gastrointestinal, skin, or behavioural issues.
• Not eating a raw or home-cooked diet.
• No antibiotics in the past 2 months and no anti-inflammatories, acid reflux, or long-term medications in the past 3 months.
• Not overweight.
• Up-to-date with vaccinations and receiving regular flea and worm treatments.

What’s Involved for Donor Dogs?

To participate:

• Your dog will undergo a free physical exam and provide an initial stool sample for screening.
• If eligible, a second stool sample will be collected on the scheduled day of an FMT procedure.

As a thank you, donor dogs will receive a free health check, an intestinal parasite test, a microbiome analysis, and a free bag of premium pet food from one of our valued partners.

How to Register Your Dog as a Donor

If you think your dog could be a super pooper, please email us at essendon@arhvets.com with the following information:

• Name
• Breed
• Age
• Gender
• Diet details
• Brand and last application date of flea/worm treatments
• Date of last vaccination

Please use the subject line "Expression of Interest for FMT" in your email.

Is FMT the Right Treatment for My Dog?

MT is particularly beneficial for pets experiencing:

• Chronic diarrhea
• Parvovirus infection
• Clostridium infections

If your dog is struggling with any of these conditions, a consultation with one of our Internal Medicine specialists at ARH Essendon Fields will determine if FMT is a suitable treatment option.

What to Expect from a Faecal Microbiota Transplant

Dogs undergoing FMT will require sedation or general anaesthesia for the procedure.
While some mild side effects are common—including diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, or rectal straining within the first 48 hours—most patients experience positive outcomes after 1 to 3 treatments. Treatments are spaced 4 weeks apart to maximise their effectiveness.

Every dog responds differently, but studies show FMT to be a highly successful intervention for many gastrointestinal conditions.

Interested in learning more or signing up? Contact ARH Essendon Fields today.
For more information about our services, visit: ARH Essendon Fields.