Protexin Soluble is a probiotic for the maintenance of normal digestive
function in pets. A probiotic is a culture of 'friendly'
bacteria which grow in the gut forming a protective layer
and helping to pathogenc bacteria from attaching
to the gut wall.
Under normal conditions, the intestinal lining is completely
covered with friendly bacteria but these can become depleted
in conditions of stress, during disease and after antibiotic
therapy.
If your pet has recently suffered from a digestive upset,
your vet may recommend a course of probiotics. The bacteria
in Protexin Soluble are highly active probiotics which only start
to grow when they enter the conditions found in the intestines.
They are very good at out-competing other bacteria.
Protexin Soluble is applied directly onto the
food or dissolved in water.
The case for the use of probiotics has been well documented
in animals for food production but there are also good reasons
to prescribe their use in dogs and cats.
All veterinary surgeons will recognise persistent
loose faeces in kittens and pups. Administration of a probiotic
such as Protexin Soluble containing viable cultures of normal gut
commensals will promote the establishment of a layer of harmless
bacteria on the surface of the gut and help help to limit
this phenomenon; this is often referred to as competitive
exclusion.
It is also widely acknowledged that antibiotic therapy particularly
for digestive disorders will not only destroy pathogenic
bacteria but will also incapacitate the normal gut flora.
This will be replaced naturally over time but is the process
is speeded up with the supplementation of probiotic bacteria.
Hence the common recommendation by practising veterinary
surgeons, is for pet owners to feed natural yoghurt to
their convalescing cats and dogs.
