Bacteria cultures, Pro-biotics
These are live (viable) naturally occurring microorganisms such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Bifidobacterium Thermophilum and Enterococcus Faecium. These cultures, or pro-biotics, help maintain a healthy immune and digestive function. They are specially processed to remain active even after cooking.
I have an old dog who has severe digestive distress every week or so. It occurred to me that the bacteria in her gut have been killed of by antibiotics.
How much does something like this cost?
Hi, Todd!
Oh, let’s see if we can help that poor girl out. It can’t feel good to be all crampy every week from gas and those other problems.
I just wrote an article called “Help, My Dog Has Gas”. It’s at:
http://holisticpetfood.wordpress.com/ingredients-to-seek/
It doesn’t cost much at all. Assuming yogurt is about $3.00 per week, maybe budget for $12.00 per month. That cost will either be in increased food expense (for a higher quality food) or yogurt. I’m not going to recommend a supplement, yet. See below.
Start with getting her on a good, non-grain-based pet food (I’ve reviewed several good foods on the Comparison Chart, the link is in the right-hand column on my blog). Boost the effectiveness of that dietary change by going with a food that contains probiotics. Some of the holistic foods add pro-biotics. The HealthyPetNet foods do, as well as a handful of the others.
You can try adding yogurt to see if that will help.
I googled on “probiotics” and “veterinary” to see if could find some commercial brands and resources for you but I didn’t like what I saw in terms of quality and effectiveness, both in human and animal supplements. But probiotics’ presence in yogurt is well-established so you can definitely try that, first and I’ll update you as soon as I find something else.
If you don’t see an improvement within a few weeks on an improved diet and yogurt, you may want to take her to the vet to have her stool tested for worms and parasites such as giardia. Giardia is easy to pick up from water pooled outside and any dog who goes outdoors can be exposed.
Bless you and keep me posted on how she’s doing
Teresa
http://holisticpetfood.wordpress.com