July 7, 2009

Does Your Pet Have Intestinal Irregularity? Vets are Recommending Probiotics

For the pet who experiences intestinal distress--diarrhea, constipation, flatulence--veterinarians are starting to prescribe probiotics to help support the "good" intestinal bacteria. One such product available is the NaturVet Enzymes and Probiotics Digestive Tract Aid For Dogs and Cats above.

Miami vet, Dr Patricia Khuly, explains in her must-read blog Dolittler:

First up, here's the current working definition of a probiotic according to the World Health Organization:

"[Probiotics are] live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host."

The idea is that adding "good" bacteria will stimulate more "good" bacteria (the ones that are presumed to be associated with health benefits). In this way, the entire balance of the intestinal flora will be shifted toward the beneficial bacteria. Makes sense, right?

Lots of veterinarians think so, too. Many are recommending probiotics for any pet with symptoms of "bacterial imbalance" associated with unhappy symptoms of the aforementioned "irregularity:" diarrhea, constipation, flatulence and sometimes vomiting. Sometimes the probiotics are offered on a short-term basis or short-term symptoms. For others with more chronic or chronically-intermittent symptoms, however, they may serve well as a lifetime stopgap for whatever underlying intestinal malady ails them.

As always, run any supplements and meds you give your pet by your veterinarian.

Read More in: Cats | Dogs | Health and Safety

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