Probiotics with the right constituents are significant while addressing gut issues in dogs.
Pets are prone to experiencing gut issues – most of which can be avoided by maintaining a healthy microbiome. The symbiotic bacteria, probiotics, in the microbiome in dogs perform several helpful functions, such as supporting digestion and strengthening the immune system. Different factors such as diet change, infection, stress, or antibiotics can disturb the gut probiotic population, resulting in adverse effects on the animal. Probiotic products can help in normalizing and maintaining gut health.
If a dog or cat gets sick often, chances are it’s a case of microbiome disturbance. Research shows that giving probiotics to canines can normalize gut microbiota which can be beneficial in conditions such as gas, diarrhea, bad breath, obesity, and allergies.
Probiotics in canine studies
Research regarding the canine microbiome is still at a formative stage as compared to humans. However, several recent studies have been able to characterize pet microbiota using advanced techniques such as qPCR and rRNA sequencing. Certain bacterial strains, such as E. faecium, have been evaluated and approved for their efficacy and safety as probiotics for canines.
In a canine study, 40 enterococcal isolates were collected from fecal samples and tested for characteristics such as resistance to antibiotics, bacteriocin production, low ph, adhesive activity, and bile tolerance. It was found that E. faecium had the best probiotic properties, which means that this particular strain can prove to be one of the most effective canine probiotics.1
Some probiotics can alter serum biochemistry concentrations and cause confusion in diagnosing certain diseases, such as hepatobiliary disease. With E. faecium, there is no risk of such serum alterations, as studies have validated that this probiotic has no significant effect on ALT or ALP.
Another bacterial strain that is study-validated to be safe and effective as a probiotic is L. acidophilus. This strain helps in reducing the moisture of stool in canines.
Choosing a probiotic with the right combination
For choosing the right probiotic, a smart approach would be to consider additional ingredients supplementing the probiotic strains. Ingredients such as Pectin, Kaolin, and glutamine can have a synergistic effect in normalizing and maintaining gut health.
Pectin, in addition to many other health benefits, acts as a feed for the gut microbiota, providing nourishment to the helpful bacteria. Kaolin can bind to pathogens and reduce their impact. Glutamine works by aiding in the reabsorption of sodium and water, thus reducing diarrhea symptoms.
Canigest Combi
Canigest Combi is a probiotic product with all the right ingredients to maintain digestive system health in dogs effectively. This product has the E. faecium strain, which stabilizes the gut flora in canines, and the L acidophilus strain, which helps firm up canine stool.
Canigest also contains ingredients such as pectin, kaolin, and glutamine to achieve a fortified gut normalization effect.
https://centurionsupply.ca/shop/trm-canigest-combi-16ml/
Reference
- Strompfová V, Lauková A, Ouwehand AC. Selection of enterococci for potential canine probiotic additives. Vet Microbiol. 2004 May 20;100(1-2):107-14. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2004.02.002. PMID: 15135518.
AUTHOR PROFILE
Dr. Omer Rashid earned his veterinary degree in 2002 from University of Agriculture Faisalabad, and quickly followed that with a Master’s degree in Parasitology. He worked for several years in veterinary practice with small animals, as well as horses and livestock. He studied advanced pharmacology at Charles Darwin University in Australia, and discovered his love for writing while working as a science writer for a research company with clients such as Harvard, Stanford and Cambridge universities. Along the way, Dr. Rashid developed an interest in integrative veterinary health, and he joined Redstone Media Group as Associate Editor of IVC Journal and veterinary content developer in 2022.
