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  1. #1
    Real Retriever SCDoug's Avatar
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    Any downside to daily probiotic?

    When Lola was about a year old, she went through a bout of Giardia that was a son of a gun to kick. During that time, we also did some food allergy testing because Lola couldn't keep weight on and had loose stools.

    At the time, our vet recommended that we give Lola a daily packet of FortiFlora probiotic. Between the food changes and the probiotic, Lola flourished and we continued to give her the probiotic. Our regular vet and the vet who did the allergy testing said that it's fine to to give it to her daily.

    Just curious. Aside from cost, is there any downside to continue giving Lola a daily probiotic?
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  2. #2
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I don't believe so. I feed them to my dogs just when there are tummy issues or meds. But I feed them the probiotic pearls and that works just fine for them. I buy generic pearls from the natural foods store, 90 for $30.

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Fortiflora is very expensive, here it is. Oban was on it for a week when at the beginnings of his second bout with lymphangiectasia. Our Vet viewed it a recovery supplement, instead of acidophilus, and is fine with us using just kefir or yogurt as an aid to continued good health once good health returned. Then, with yogurt or kefir, I guess the caution is not too much each day in case of dietary upset and loose stool, though both are fermented milk products and better tolerated even by most lactose intolerant dogs than straight milk. Kefir isn't cheap here either but less expensive than Fortiflora.

    I will have to look into those pearls, maybe my OH could use those too. Oh, wait, I could arrange a fecal implant for him like we did with Oban. SCDoug, the fecal implant worked best, if you need recovery options for Lola.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Don't think it would be a problem. Over the years have used Culturelle for the dogs, one time with Bandit while treating for Giardia. While I don't give it on a daily basis, Mardi and Archie get some sort of probiotic a couple times a week.

    I personally take acidophilus daily and wondered about giving it to the furkids.

    Am interested in the pearls also. Can you give a brand name/what to look for.
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  5. #5
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    I don't give them daily but we don't have any tummy troubles, thankfully. My 2 do get them several times a week. My vet said they can be given daily but the FortiFlora is pricey. I will need to check out those pearls, thanks for the info.
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  6. #6
    Senior Dog shellbell's Avatar
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    I give it daily, and try to take it daily myself. Good health starts in the gut, it can do wonders overall for people and dogs to be on a good daily probiotic. I like Primal Defense Ultra by Garden of Life, it is soil based.

  7. #7
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I use the generic ones at Whole Foods which is called 365 brand and is a generic version of the Pearls (which is the name of the product). They are small, bigger than a BB but smaller than a marble for sure. They worked really well when we were going through a long bout of undiagnosed giardia. I also used them when I changed foods. They seemed to work really well. He is a bigger dog, and you cannot cut the pearls, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that would make or if it would cause issues. Maybe there is a child-sized version available for smaller dogs?

  8. #8
    Senior Dog
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    I have given Toby a probiotic only when he had gastrointestinal issues...but once it cleared up, I stopped. He has been fine every since. I am just careful what I am feeding him and also careful not to keep switching foods.

    But I don't think it will hurt her to give it to her daily, if he helps her to stay on track.

    Of course, I would trust your Vet!

  9. #9
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    I was told no way to over do on probiotics by a very good vet.
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  10. #10
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by windycanyon View Post
    I was told no way to over do on probiotics by a very good vet.
    So does that mean do NOT give too much? And how much is too much?

    Or does it mean 1 tsp a day of yogurt is ok and 1 cup a day is ok too? And if this is the case don't we still have to be careful of the quantitiy of the delivery method, ie the yogurt?


    Sorry in advance, I may be unusually dense at these things. I needed clarification when the rehab Vet said of icing a sore leg, "You can't do this too much." I honestly had the same question, once a day is ok but 10 times is not? Or 10 times is ok?

 



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