Purina FortiFlora Probiotics

[Greg Jennings]

Anyone tried the Purina FortaFlora probiotics supplement yet?

[kninebirddog]

i use the acidophillis that you can buy at wally world or other places that sell vitamins

[Greg Jennings]

Sounds interesting. There is a well-supplied "Vitamin World" near me. I'll start them on it. Hoping that it'll keep their digestion level when we're on the road.

[mcbosco]

I use Nzymes...400 day supply is $25 for my dogs weight.

enzymes and live pro-biotics..

the purina product looks good too, but Gregg its pricey, one monthy supply is as much as what I use for over a 1 year supply

http://www.nzymes.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?id ... dproduct=8

[kninebirddog]

It helps what I do is crush a tablet up and just sprinkle it on top of thier food...the dogs eat it up no problem

I also keep imodium and some Fish-zole (same stuff as flagyl) on hand

[Greg Jennings]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. Sal, I'll look for the Nzymes. Sounds lke a plan. I really appreciate the link!

I also keep imodium and some Fish-zole (same stuff as flagyl) on hand

Heh, heh, heh. I'm a *huge* believer. Had Gunner eat deer poop when he was a pup and ruin a trip. Learned I needed drain holes in my dog trailer...had to stick my head in there and clean it out with bleach. Whew! Drilled the holes and have never gone out of town w/o immodium and flagyl ever again!

[mcbosco]

dogs under stress like hunting and training should use these products, they are very inexpensive and the additives in kibble are not "direct-fed" but rather just the by-products of the bacteria...

when in doubt call the maker and ask if they are "direct-fed", otherwise the bacteria might not colonize in the gut

[kninebirddog]

Nothing like blow outs in the kennel YUCK

[Jager]

We have used it for cocker spaniel that we had & one of our GSP's. When they have an upset stomach for some reason, we simply sprinkle one of the packets on their food, use it 2-3 days and everything gets back to normal. We don't use it every day, just when there is a stomach ache. Never really thought about using it daily....is there a reason to use it daily? Our vet suggested using it and got it from her. They both love the taste. They eat their food like I've just poured gravy over it.

Joe

[mcbosco]

there is no harm to use it daily, unless the dog gets fresh bacteria the colonies will break down over time...the purina product is too expensive for daily use and only has one bacteria but its a very good strain and a good product

in the wild the dog would ingest those bacteria everyday and in very large amounts

Dr Foster & Smith has a good prodcut too: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=18828

but the only one I have found with enzymes and a "direct-fed" cultures is Nyzmes, and its a bargain.

no gas, less poop, fewer skin-related problems, cleaner teeth, etc.

i think nyzmes has 100% money back GTY as well.

[kninebirddog]

http://www.vitaminparadise.com/Spring-V ... 045714.htm

this is what i get from wally world

[mcbosco]

thats looks good, live bacteria...test in a glass of warm milk, see if it cultures the milk, it should in about 6 hours

[lvrgsp]

Have not tried it Greg, let us know how it works out....sent ya a PM
Maybe try Eukanuba, already has some of the prebiotics in it.......
stirring the pot........

Chip

[CherrystoneWeims]

I have used it for newborn pups. I had to use it with my last litter as the mother was put on antibiotics due to an emergency spay. I wanted the pups' gut flora to stay good as the antibiotics were going to them via the mother's milk. It dissolves pretty well in formula for bottle feeding (I never bottle feed my pups but did so for a few days to get the Fortiflora into them) and the pups never got diarrhea from the antibiotics.

[mcbosco]

pam, the paste is very effective for pups, many breeders use it especially when they start weaning.

sal

[CherrystoneWeims]

These were newborn pups. I am not sure if they would have been able to swallow a paste.

[Adam Dahlstrom]

Could this be used on acute cases or is it a daily thing? Just had two with brown squirt guns out the rear. It was caused by bad bacteria. I took them in after a couple days on rice and burger with no results. This would be way cheaper than a $100 vet bill but I wasn't sure if it was more of a gimmick or for real.

Also, I would like to hear about the imodium and flagyl. How is it used as far as dosing and that goes? What does flagyl do and where do you get it?

Call me cheap but just trying to save a little $$$ for my pocket rather than the vets.

[mcbosco]

this stuff works and works well and its 100% safe..the only beef I have with the Purina product is that its pricey..it can be used everyday, $25 bucks a year for Nyzmes beats a trip to the vet anytime...there are other health benefits as well, like controlling yeast infection

[mcbosco]

oh sorry you can you use it for acute cases

[Adam Dahlstrom]

Thanks for the reply on the acute cases. Was the imodium for the humans or what?

[bossman]

Good article in the current issue of Field Trial Magazine on this issue..Page 6...It Takes Guts to Win...Hope it helps...

[Fireside]

I use Probios. Comes in a powder or paste at the feed store for horses and other livestock. I feed 1tsp of the powder (NOT GRANULES) sprinkled on their feed or about 1/2 inch squirt of paste licked off my finger. Works great to rehabilitate the GI tract. I give it to any animal (dog, horse, goat, donkey, etc) that has a problem, takes any antibiotics or is under stress.

[mcbosco]

"According to Susan G. Wynn, DVM, of the Department of Small Animal
Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee:

“... it is increasingly clear that manipulation of the ecology of the
gastrointestinal tract has powerful systemic effects. Use of
probiotics clearly enhances immune function in a number of species,
including dogs and cats, and appears to have a role in the treatment
of animals with certain gastrointestinal conditions.”

Dr. Wynn goes on to say the use of probiotics in humans in the
treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections, the prevention and
management of allergies, and other conditions, suggests further
potential benefits for our four-legged companions."