Probiotics - Page 1

There is some good info I've come across that I just wanted to share here...

There is an article talking about Probiotics and how they help the immune system in regards to allergies (hayfever specifically)... it is a human based study but I think it could be crossed over easily for the canines. Here is a link from Science Daily on it:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602214117.htm

As for adding alternate Probiotics to the diet - there are also the Probiotic tablets and supplements that can be added. They are usually a tablet or powder that are added to the food.

Also - There are many commercial dog foods that claim they include probiotics in the listed ingredients. In reality, not many of the probiotics used survive the manufacturing process, and if they do survive they may not be as effective as fresh/ live.

There are different reasons too for using different strengths or types:

Maintenance - fed daily for everyday stresses such as weather variation and occasionally "life stresses". These are usually supplied as a powder or granules.

Intermediate – can also be fed daily for chronic stresses and many digestive problems. These are also usually supplied as a powder.

Concentrated – can be fed one or more times daily for treatment of a sick animal until they are eating normally. These are available in either paste or liquid form.

It is known too that there are many benefits of probiotics, some of the things they help include -
Produce natural antibiotics, which can fight harmful bacteria

Regulate and increase hormone levels

Manufacture B group vitamins, particularly cyanocobalamine (B12), biotin (B7) and folic acid (B9)

Stimulate (as well as directly aid) the immune system

Reduce food intolerance

Increase energy levels

Inhibit the growth of some yeast

Absorb nutrients, antioxidants and iron from food that is eaten

Reduce inflammation

Increase digestibility of food

Another thing to note here - Although live yogurts and are an inexpensive and effective way to supplement, you have to remember that these contain only specific and limited strains of probiotics. There are LOTS of products on the market you can get probiotics that cover more "ground". Here's a link I use for mine and been very happy with:
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/en/query.jsp?q=probiotic&intsource2=main&image.x=50&image.y=9
the prices here are really good and I've ordered from them for a few years now.

storm

Thanks Storm for the post...Very true..so many of the commercial dog foods, most, I might say, have very little of anything they advertise on the label..

Also milk products , like yogurts, can also be so low in a measurable amount of what is really good for our dogs, because of pasturization .  

A powdered or pill form of probiotics is usually much more effective.

tHANKS FOR THE LINKS

yr 

Yellow rose you are right, most people don't understand that most milk products especially in regular grocery stores go through pasteurization, you can get yogurt that is natural unpasteurized but you do have to go to health food stores for that, and not all of them will have it. :) I been using one for some time and I am happy with it. When using pills (human grade like the one in vit store) can any one tell me how much is appropriate?

You need to be aware of how many bacteria reach the intestines.  A good quality supplement supplement will deliver at least 1 billion living, healthy probiotic bacteria per dose to your intestines.  I get my probiotics from Swanson Health Products they have probiotics for humans and our furry friends too! Check out the dog digestive product here http://www.swansonvitamins.com/PTN012/ItemDetail?&SourceCode=INTBL001. I have yet to try it on my little one, but I think I am going to order it.  She seems to have allergy issues and stomache issues at that.  Hope this helps!