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  • probiotic question

    We had our second appointment yesterday at the vet for Sampson for his boosters and what not. He no longer is wanting yogurt mixed with his food so the vet gave us a ten day supply of proviable. Is this a good probiotic and how much longer does he need to be on one?
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    Sampson (Brindle Great Dane) 5/15/14

  • #2
    As far as I know, probiotics are generally only necessary when there are stomach/digestion/poop issues.. Does he have any of those problems? I could be wrong, but that's the only reason I'd feed them unless my vet sees it fit for me to do so.
    -- Katelyn

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    Apollo

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    • #3
      He had roundworms and something else in his stool on the first visit but deworming medication she gave me for him cleared up that problem. His stools for the most part are solid now. She asked if I still was giving him the yogurt when I told her no she gave me the probiotic. I was just wondering why? Wasn't sure if he still needed something for his digestion since he's still a puppy.
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      Sampson (Brindle Great Dane) 5/15/14

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      • #4
        Dewormers and antibiotics tend to wash out the good bacteria along with the bad. So she would have given them to help him repopulate his gut with the beneficial bacteria.
        -Lisa (Zoomer's mom)

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        • #5
          Originally posted by KatieRae View Post
          As far as I know, probiotics are generally only necessary when there are stomach/digestion/poop issues.. Does he have any of those problems? I could be wrong, but that's the only reason I'd feed them unless my vet sees it fit for me to do so.
          i disagree. i dont see anything wrong with feeding probiotics on a daily basis. like one could eat yoghurt every day to encourage good bacteria in one's gut.

          i feed probios, powder form, every day for my two danes. it is affordable and available online and at most feed shops. I've found that it is an absolute life-saver when it comes to farts. without it, both of them are the stinkiest fart machines alive.
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          my beautiful blue-eyed babe

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          • #6
            I was at work - or I would have written more, lol! More and more research is showing that gut health is related to the overall health of the immune system. So the healthier the gut, the better the immune system.

            In humans, I believe only two commercially marketed probiotics have some science behind them - Culturelle and Saccharomyces Boulardii. Culturelle is the probiotic given to all of the patients at my hospital. I also take Saccharomyces to boot, because I have sinus issues, allergies, and mild asthma. I also have had to take antibiotics off and on over the past few years that have probably wiped out my own beneficial intestinal flora. My immune system needs all the help it can get!

            I would recommend probiotics to any immune-compromised pup as well - pre and post worming, pre and post antibiotics, and probably most puppies from rescue or BYB's. Any pup with mange, diarrhea, etc etc. and the list goes on. Linda Arndt, aka "The Great Dane Lady" also recommends probiotics, both in yogurt and supplement form.

            I hope a vet chimes in, as I have no "real" access to animal studies with probiotics. Not sure if there are any studies out there yet for dogs and probiotics, and if so, it's probably from lack of funding.
            -Lisa (Zoomer's mom)

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            • #7
              Originally posted by michlhw View Post
              i disagree. i dont see anything wrong with feeding probiotics on a daily basis. like one could eat yoghurt every day to encourage good bacteria in one's gut.

              i feed probios, powder form, every day for my two danes. it is affordable and available online and at most feed shops. I've found that it is an absolute life-saver when it comes to farts. without it, both of them are the stinkiest fart machines alive.
              You misunderstand; I don't see anything wrong with feeding probiotics daily, however, I am one of those 'less is more' weirdos, and prefer to keep my boy's diet as natural as possible.

              That's all
              -- Katelyn

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              Apollo

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              • #8
                Originally posted by KatieRae View Post
                You misunderstand; I don't see anything wrong with feeding probiotics daily, however, I am one of those 'less is more' weirdos, and prefer to keep my boy's diet as natural as possible.

                That's all

                I definitely get the "less is more" approach as well. The bottom line is that we don't fully know which probiotics/bacteria etc are specifically geared to help us out with our dogs.
                Some might help and some might not... It's a gamble for sure...
                -Lisa (Zoomer's mom)

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                • #9
                  I give my girl a healthy tablespoon at each feeding twice a day ... I do for healthy gut but also bec NO GAS !!! It serves as a topper for her food and she loves it

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                  • #10
                    Well and then a lot of commercial yogurts are not that great for probiotic purposes anyways.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Greenmagick View Post
                      Well and then a lot of commercial yogurts are not that great for probiotic purposes anyways.
                      Yup. Even the "proven" probiotics for human use might be considered somewhat of a crapshoot. My bio professor last semester, (who is also a PhD at UCLA teaching research methods to pre-med students) told us that it is very difficult to tell whether one specific probiotic is good for everyone. We all have very different intestinal flora, so a specific bacteria in one supplement might be beneficial for one person but have no effect in another. Mothers have similar gut flora to their children (at least initially from what I understand) as they pass bacteria during childbirth and afterwards as well.

                      For me, given my antibiotic history etc it is worth the crapshoot. And given Zoomer and his gut problems in addition to recent antibiotic use, it's also worth it to me.
                      -Lisa (Zoomer's mom)

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by lisacp75 View Post
                        Yup. Even the "proven" probiotics for human use might be considered somewhat of a crapshoot. My bio professor last semester, (who is also a PhD at UCLA teaching research methods to pre-med students) told us that it is very difficult to tell whether one specific probiotic is good for everyone. We all have very different intestinal flora, so a specific bacteria in one supplement might be beneficial for one person but have no effect in another. Mothers have similar gut flora to their children (at least initially from what I understand) as they pass bacteria during childbirth and afterwards as well.

                        For me, given my antibiotic history etc it is worth the crapshoot. And given Zoomer and his gut problems in addition to recent antibiotic use, it's also worth it to me.
                        Makes sense to me. There is only one kind of probiotic that does anything for me. Any others I've tried are worthless.
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                        Fergus
                        SC Dinnie Stone Guardian, CGC
                        Eisen Shark
                        C Shadows On The Sun, CGC

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