Clinical use of probiotics in dogs

Probiotics are defined as live organisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. Successful probiotics should be^1,2:

• Non-pathogenic.
• Resistant to gastric and intestinal digestion.
• Able to adhere to intestinal epithelium.
• Able to interact with gastrointestinal flora in a positive way.
• Capable of influencing host immune responses.

Considerable scientific research has led to a clearer understanding of the value of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of a number of disorders^2-4. The most widely studied probiotics are strains of lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, enterococcus and saccharomyces^2-5. The beneficial effects of probiotics may be both species- and strain-specific. To ensure appropriate viability of the organism, very careful production and stabilisation methods are required¹.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF PROBIOTICS

Probiotics have two broad mechanisms of action but within each of these their interactions are complex and varied:

• Modification of the bacterial flora of the intestinal tract, for example by:
  - Inhibiting growth of pathogenic bacteria.
  - Inhibiting the adhesion of pathogenic organisms to the intestinal epithelium.
  - Production of bacteriocins (proteins that inhibit other bacteria).
  - Enhancing mucus production.
  - Reducing the luminal pH.
• Modulation of the immune system, for example by:
  - Binding to toll-like receptors and stimulation of innate immune responses.
  - Improved epithelial barrier function (including reduced permeability).
  - Enhanced IgA production and appropriate immune responses.
  - Modification of cytokine responses to reduce excessive inflammation.

CLINICAL ADVANTAGES WITH THE USE OF FORTIFLORA® IN DOGS

FortiFlora® contains a strain of E faecium (SF68®) (E 1705) - a lactic acid bacterium that is recognised as a safe, "friendly" bacteria and valuable probiotic. A lactic acid bacterium that is recognised as a safe, "friendly" bacteria and valuable probiotic. A unique and proprietary microencapsulation technique ensures that the bacteria in FortiFlora® remain viable and that the product can be used with confidence in its efficacy. In dogs, Nestlé PURINA studies have confirmed that feeding SF68® significantly increases beneficial bacteria in the faeces and reduces quantities of potential pathogens (such as clostridia).

In clinical trials, SF68® has been shown to significantly improve faecal quality in puppies and stabilise intestinal flora by maintaining a higher diversity of the gut bacterial population. Nestlé PURINA studies also show SF68® can enhance faecal IgA production in puppies and elderly dogs and even enhance systemic immune responses of puppies to vaccination⁶.

Based on these and other studies, FortiFlora® can be recommended for dogs to support the nutritional management or prevention of:

• Acute infectious and non-infectious enteritis (e.g., food intolerance, dietary indiscretion).
• Diarrhoea associated with GI microbial imbalance (e.g., stress, antibiotics, diet change).
• Poor faecal quality in puppies.

• Chronic enteropathies e.g., inflammatory bowel disease.
• Promoting optimal immune responses in health and disease.