[MysticGohan]

Simple question, my dogs stool is very soft after a 10 day session of antibiotics, was expected as antibiotics are pretty indiscriminate in the bacteria they destroy, including those in the digestive track. I am curious as to any recommendations for probiotics to kick start his digestive track as he is on a hybrid raw/holistic high protein kibble diet. I've done some research on my own, just wanted to hear your anecdotes. My only request is that the probiotic be non-dairy. Thanks in advance for suggestions.

-Gohan and his human Adam thank you.

 

[Holly]

I've tried a few different probiotics and don't think they really do anything.

Why was your dog on antibiotics? How old is the dog? Have you ruled out other causes of the diarrhea?

 

[Dawnben]

Simple question, my dogs stool is very soft after a 10 day session of antibiotics, was expected as antibiotics are pretty indiscriminate in the bacteria they destroy, including those in the digestive track. I am curious as to any recommendations for probiotics to kick start his digestive track as he is on a hybrid raw/holistic high protein kibble diet. I've done some research on my own, just wanted to hear your anecdotes. My only request is that the probiotic be non-dairy. Thanks in advance for suggestions.

-Gohan and his human Adam thank you.

I give my dogs kefir every day because it helps you beak down and assimilate vitamins in their food plus keeps their stomachs healthy. It has more good bacteria than yogurt. This is a list of what is in a cup of kefir What kinds of bacteria (probiotics) are in Lifeway kefir?
All Lifeway products contain seven to ten billion CFU's of the following 12 live & active Kefir cultures per cup:
• Lactobacillius Lactis
• Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
• Streptococcus Diacetylactis
• Lactobacillus Plantarum
• Lactobacillius Casei
• Saccharomyces Florentinus
• Leuconostoc Cremoris
• Bifidobacterium Longum
• Bifidobacterium Breve
• Lactobacillus Acidophilus
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Lactobacillus reuteri
You can assist their digestion and nutrient absorption and boost their overall health with a powerful blend of the correct beneficial bacteria strains. Kefir is a great way of getting the good bacteria in a live formula because you can get it fresh at the market. Just make sure and get a good organic formula like this one and add it to your dog food daily
Helios Nutrition Organic Plain Kefir

 

[FailedSlacker]

Unless it's specifically labelled water kefir, kefir is dairy.

Kombucha is a non-dairy tea-based source.

 

[Tzubabies]

It's something I look in the ingredient list when I choose a food for my dogs; so they get it daily. I definitely think you need a stronger dose right now. Just google "dog probiotics" and you will see plenty of different products on the market.

 

[MysticGohan]

Below is my intro thread and it explains in detail why Gohan was put on a mild antibiotic

http://www.dogforum.com/introductions/introduction-forum-juvenile-dog-health-inoculation-16784/

Thank you for the replies, while my evidence is anecdotal, the antibiotics were the only change in his routine that logically would have led to this based on observations and vet bacterial testing.

-Adam

 

[DobermanGuy]

the antibiotics were the only change in his routine that logically would have led to this based on observations and vet bacterial testing.

-Adam

Changing his diet now may just make things worse.

 

[MysticGohan]

His diet hasn't changed, it's been the same since I've brought him home. I wasn't looking to alter it just supplement it to assist his digestion.

 

[Holly]

Below is my intro thread and it explains in detail why Gohan was put on a mild antibiotic

http://www.dogforum.com/introductions/introduction-forum-juvenile-dog-health-inoculation-16784/

Thank you for the replies, while my evidence is anecdotal, the antibiotics were the only change in his routine that logically would have led to this based on observations and vet bacterial testing.

-Adam

Thanks for posting that, now I'm up to date.

A few comments:
1) I think the amount of vaccines he got could have caused some issues. He's too young and small to have gotten that many, unfortunately, and the Coronavirus vaccine he got is useless. I'd never vaccinate my dog with it. Also would not have started Lepto that young, it's crazy.

2) Even if the fecal test was negative, puppies should be routinely dewormed every 3-4 weeks until they are about 16 weeks old. I find it hard to believe that a shelter pup at his age doesn't have intestinal parasites.

3) I don't do raw diets since I don't believe in them, but others on here that do have commented that raw and kibble should not be fed together. (Assuming that "hybrid raw/holistic high protein kibble diet" means what I interpreted it as)


I think there are a few reasons why your pup may have diarrhea and I think jumping to probiotics will just be masking the real culprit. If his diet is good, he should not need additional probiotics.

 

[Dawnben]

Below is my intro thread and it explains in detail why Gohan was put on a mild antibiotic

http://www.dogforum.com/introductions/introduction-forum-juvenile-dog-health-inoculation-16784/

Thank you for the replies, while my evidence is anecdotal, the antibiotics were the only change in his routine that logically would have led to this based on observations and vet bacterial testing.

-Adam

you are right to think that because the antibiotics do kill the good bacteria in the intestines that is why you have to counteract it by adding good bacteria back to the stomach while giving the antibiotics. A good dog food will not accomplish that it has to be added to the diet. You can do that with yogurt or kefir which are very low in lactose which it the thing in dairy that dogs dont digest well. The bacteria in kefir actually help digest the lactose there is in it.
You can also get dog probiotics but the kefir works just as well and is fresh and a lot less expensive.

 

[Holly]

you are right to think that because the antibiotics do kill the good bacteria in the intestines that is why you have to counteract it by adding good bacteria back to the stomach while giving the antibiotics.

While this is true and affects some dogs worse than others (none of mine ever had a problem and have been on lots of meds over their lives), it's a shelter puppy who likely has better reasons to have diarrhea... and seemingly hasn't been appropriately dewormed. Just sayin'. :thumbsup:


Probiotics potentially have their place. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, this is not the place until other more likely things are ruled out.

 

[VetTech2011]

I do agree about the vaccinations. Bordetella and leptospirosis should not have been given so early in my opinion, normally they should be given at approx 12 weeks (second set of vaccinations) I am not familiar with them being given earlier. Normally puppies are given 3 sets of vaccines (8, 12 and 16 weeks). It was a lot for him to get in one bundle for his age and size. However, for a shelter pup, I can see why bordetella may have been given earlier because kennel cough can easily be aquired during the stay at the shelter.

As for probiotics? You've gotten some good suggestions. Adding a probiotic to the diet each day is not going to be harmful - it's like us eating yogurt every day. There is also Forti-flora, a veterinary product, its a probiotic powder that is sprinkled over the food.

Puppies commonly have parasites. He may have not been dewormed or not properly dewormed at the shelter. If he is having soft stools, you can choose to deworm or take in a stool sample and have it analyzed (and treat according to any findings) and I would continue to have a stool sample checked routinely (with each visit take in a fresh stool sample). Any parasite eggs will be identified on a fecal flotation. I recommend taking in a stool sample to your veterinarian to rule out parasites.