Probiotics

[kslib]

Hey all! Bubba needs to be on antibiotics for his skin, but the vet is having trouble finding one that doesn't either make him have diarrhea or constipation (or both, oddly). Anyone know of a pet-friendly probiotic? I suggested this, but since my vet is a dermatologist, she said she didn't know much about probiotics, but would be very interested to try them and see if they helped. I can't use yogurt, or any other food because he is on a strict food trial for his allergies.

Thanks!

[lukasahero]

1. The only probiotic supplement I know of

is acidophilus. Since he's on an allergy test for foods, a supplement is probably the way to go. Look here for info on it http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1448&articleid=1333

BTW - is Bubba a dog or a cat? (I assumed dog and googled "acidophilus dog" but if Bubba's a kitty, try googling that instead.)

[kslib]

2. He's a kitty.

Thanks, I'll look into that one! I've also heard of "bene-bac" but was unsure if anyone has had any success.

:hi:

[lukasahero]

3. Figures. ;-)

Everyone else's odds of guessing right are 50/50 - I have no such luck. :shrug:

Good luck with this.

[sleepyhead]

10. Benebac is a good product.

There is also a powder called RxBiotic that is made by Rx Vitamins that I've been using a lot recently. You put 1-2 scoops in each meal during antibiotic administration. If the acidophilus doesn't work, maybe your vet can order one or the other of these for you (I'm not sure if either of them is available over the counter).

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Possibilities.

1# Nupro Health Nuggets for Cats

http://tinyurl.com/6edtt

That is at http://www.carealotpets.com

You can get acidophilus capsules at any health food store and sprinkle them on/food his food. There is no such thing as an overdose with this.
Interestingly enough, acidophilus cures both diarrhea and constipation, as it normalizes the flora in the intestine, which the antibiotics tend to kill off.
That would be your best bet.

[Eurobabe]

5. Maybe Missing Link?

I gave that to my cat when he was a kitten. You spirnkle it on moist food. My macrobiotic friend swore by this for her cats. I think you can get it at the vets, or definitely online. Maybe even at one of the Pet chains?

[kslib]

6. Trying Acidophilus tonight.

I'll let everyone know how it goes. I gave him his first antibiotic in two weeks last night. He threw it up after about 30 min, and threw up again this morning. So, no antibiotics tonight, and I'll try this probiotic to perk him up before trying the damned antibiotic again.

[underseasurveyor]

7. I wanna kick this back up

I started acidolphilis yesterday mainly for one of my cats and one of my dogs but everyone's getting in on it including me but anyway ;-)

Let's see how it goes.........

[kslib]

8. I recently learned that it needs to be temp. sensitive.

Otherwise it doesn't survive the acid in kitty's stomach. However, Bubba loves the taste! I break the capsule and sprinkle it over his food. Yummy! What strange kitties!

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Try giving him some ginger caps too..with the meds. It helps settle

the stomach along with the acidophilus. Antibiotics are very hard on the stomach.