Probiotics in Veterinary Medicine: Mechanisms, Gut Microbiota Modulation, and Therapeutic Applications

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the multifacted roles of probiotics in veterinary medicine, with a core emphasis on three interconnected aspects: their underlying mechanisms of action, their modulation effects in regard to animal gut microbiota, and practical therapeutic applications in clinical veterinary practice. It aims to synthesize cutting-edge research to clarify how probiotics regulate gut microbial composition, interact with host physiology, and exert beneficial effects against veterinary diseases. The scope of this Special Issue is comprehensive, covering various animal species (including livestock, poultry, companion animals, and aquatic animals), different probiotic strains, and diverse research methods such as in vitro experiments, in vivo trials, and clinical studies. It also includes studies on probiotic formulation optimization and safety evaluation, ensuring a holistic perspective on probiotic application in veterinary settings. The primary purpose is to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical practice, provide a platform for researchers and veterinarians to share findings, and summarize the latest advances in probiotic research. Ultimately, this Special Issue seeks to offer evidence-based insights to promote the rational use of probiotics, improve animal health and welfare, and support the development of sustainable and eco-friendly veterinary healthcare strategies.

This Special Issue will supplement and help to advance the existing literature on probiotics in veterinary medicine by addressing critical gaps and integrating fragmented knowledge in the field. While existing studies often focus on isolated aspects—such as probiotic mechanisms in a single animal species or therapeutic effects for specific diseases—this Special Issue synthesizes these discrete findings into a cohesive framework, linking mechanisms of action, gut microbiota modulation, and clinical applications. It supplements the current literature by bridging the divide between basic research and clinical practice; many existing works lack translational insights, whereas this Special Issue emphasizes evidence-based therapeutic utility, offering actionable guidance for veterinarians. Additionally, it expands on limited coverage of understudied animal groups (e.g., aquatic animals, exotic pets) and novel probiotic strains, complementing the literature that primarily focuses on common livestock or companion animals. By collating cutting-edge research on microbiota–probiotic–host interactions and probiotic formulation optimization, this Special Issue also updates and enriches existing knowledge on safety and efficacy, providing a comprehensive reference that integrates foundational and applied perspectives—filling a key need for a holistic, up-to-date synthesis to guide future research and practical application in veterinary probiotics.

Dr. Hongying Cai
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• probiotics
• veterinary medicine
• gut microbiota
• microbiota modulation
• therapeutic applications
• mechanisms of action