Probiotics

[Libby Stinson]

I would like to hear what probiotics are recommended by the group. My 4 year old has had diarrhea and vomiting for the past few days. Winston visited our vet yesterday and was given an RX for Famotidine and an injection of an anti diarrhea med. He has been on Fromm's for the last two years. The vet found no parasites, so the thought was that he ate something maybe in the yard that caused his GI problems. I have been told that probiotics re a good idea for those with GI problems.
I am wanting to know which brands re good and locally available at pet stores.
Thanks so much.

[Lynda Kamrath]

To further confuse you, I got a food with PREbiotics last time and asked about prebiotics and probiotics.  The girl at the food store told me that they work a little differently - prebiotics on the coat and exterior parts and the probiotics on the inside.  So, what in the world is that all about?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The girl at the food store is a little confused, lol. 

Prebiotics are exactly what they sound like: "PRE" meaning before. They are substances that create an environment that helps the PRObiotics (beneficial bacteria necessary for normal digestion and stool formation) to thrive. 

The definition is 

1. a nondigestible food ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Hmmm.  So the prebiotics can be in the dry dog food but the probiotics need to be refrigerated?  I took probiotics and it was refrigerated, but there was some dog food that said it contained probiotics.  So, would you say that prebiotics would be found in dry food, but probiotics (at least the good stuff) is not?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are probiotics in many dry dog foods, but the amount is not enough to do much good, and the issue of temperature is another good point. The cultures have to be live to be of any benefit. 

If a dog needs a prebiotic, a probiotic, or any type of therapeutic supplements other than basic vitamins & minerals  (glucosamine/chondroitin come to mind), you really have to give those separately, apart from food. It's nice that the dog food companies put some of these things in the formulas, but it really isn't enough of whatever it is to do much good. In the same vein, don't choose a dog food formula because it claims to contain these things. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Proviable DC which can be purchased online is probably what our guru, Karen will say.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have not found any of the higher quality probiotics in the pet supply stores. Most of them require refrigeration. 

Probiotics are important for normal digestion and stool formation, but they won't cure anything on their own. They're also not much help for vomiting or nausea. 

They are necessary any time a dog is on antibiotics, to replace the good bacteria in the gut. They also help a lot in dogs who have digestive issues due to bacterial imbalances in the gut. 

The best one we have found is Proviable DC, which can be ordered online. Some vets sell it, too. You won't find it in the pet supply stores. 

In order to be effective, a probiotic must contain at least 5 billion CFUs (live cultures) per dose.

[Shelly]

I've given my dogs acedopholis with the highest live culture count from Puritan Pride for more than 10 years and they've done fabulously with the supplements. My cocker experienced major food allergies & IBS amongst other medical issues and a few things I incorporated in his diet that worked really well were pumpkin and/or sweet potatoes; fish oil; and eliminating grains completely. Hope this helps.