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Post by mjbez on Aug 4, 2012 21:24:56 GMT -5
I managed to get my hands on some probiotics today for my ferret Kyra. I know some of you know of some of the issues we have been having with her lately. I had gotten another week of metronitazole but she gets so upset when it is time to get her pill.... besides that it doesn't seem to be fixing her prolapsing issues. So, i got some probiotics today. I got them from my local health pet food store and they are called N'Zymes bac-pak plus. It says they are safe for cats, dogs, horses and other companion animals.... but I was wondering if they are safe for ferrets? The owner wasn't sure because they really only deal with cats and dogs regularly. This is the link for what I bought. Do you think it is safe? www.nzymes.com/store/pc/BacPak-Plus-for-Pets-200-Grams-7p8.htmI would add it to food so I would only add 1/8 of a scoop once a day? This bottle will last a long time if I can use it!  Any suggestions? |
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Post by Heather on Aug 5, 2012 0:38:46 GMT -5
I have a couple of concerns with this....the first 3 ingredients have nothing to do with probiotics....whey, yeast and flaxseed.....yeast can cause issues if the base problem you're dealing with is an immunity issue and flaxseed can cause severe itching in carnivores and then we come to whey; "whey contains lactose, it should be avoided by those who are lactose intolerant." So that means most of our ferrets, cats too  You have to love manufactureres who use human probiotics for animals  If it was me, I wouldn't use it. You're dealing with a prolapse (possible loose stools). This product would concern me. JMO ciao |
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Post by mjbez on Aug 5, 2012 1:22:45 GMT -5
Ok, Im glad to know that Heather, thank you. I am not dealing with loose stools, just prolapse (they do not go hand in hand in Kyra's case) but I do NOT want to use anything that may be harmful! |
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Post by mjbez on Aug 5, 2012 1:44:20 GMT -5
Any suggestions to different safe probiotics? I can look around in more stores for some different brands, but I would love to know some suggested ones to look out for.
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Post by darlene on Aug 5, 2012 2:40:06 GMT -5
You have to love manufactureres who use human probiotics for animals . JMO ciao Are you saying human probiotics are not ok for animals? |
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Post by Sherry on Aug 5, 2012 10:16:26 GMT -5
Not so much that Darlene, as you simply have to be aware of the ingredients in the probiotic you use. A good number will have "fillers" which aren't so safe for them.
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Post by Heather on Aug 5, 2012 10:16:45 GMT -5
No, but you have to look at the ingredients that are contained a lot closer. We often assume that what we take is ok for our animals. Think about it, because consumers felt they needed flax in their food, manufacturers put it in all of their pet food despite it being a catalyst for an autoimmune response in many carnivores. You will find soya added to product because people believed it was good for people so it's got to be good for their pets (it does allow the manufacturer to supply a dog/cat food with a higher protein level without adding any meat ). In this case you have wey added and it's a milk product that could directly relate to serious digestive issues in carnivores....something you're probably trying to fix anyway The ingredient is ok for humans, unless your lactose intolerant. I'm not saying that human product cannot be used, I'm just saying that you have to use serious discretion and consideration. I was looking for a multi-vit for Lady Morgain...I thought I had found one that might fit the bill....until I read the ingredients. It was staggering what had been put in the mix. The manufacturer had added garlic to it...for cats?? Tell me they've done their research and have your pets best interest in their minds. Try finding pet food without rosemary in it as a preservative. Yes, it's better than BHA/BHT but it can cause seizures in cats. It's just a thought. You may find that your wee ones can handle this or that but remember, what is good for us isn't good for them and do your research. ciao |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2012 11:11:34 GMT -5
I use bene bac for small animals, also Marshall's probiotic with good results. It has been approved by my holistic vet.
As an afterthought I also like Nu-Cat vitamins, they have taurine and the essentials. 1 half tablet per ferret daily. It contains New Zealand green Mussel and digestive enzymes. The enzymes may be something you might like to look into as well, they may ease the digestive load and may help with the straining.
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Post by Sherry on Aug 5, 2012 12:34:19 GMT -5
I suppose I don't need to ask, but why on earth does Marshall's insist on putting in things like yeast and dried milk |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2012 12:39:21 GMT -5
Just checked, bene bac does not have yeast or dried milk, thank goodness!
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Post by mjbez on Aug 5, 2012 16:24:51 GMT -5
I will check around and see if I can find bene bac for small animals. I have a feeling that is going to be a difficult one for me to find here, but I can try. Any others that are suggested? I'm not a fan of trying the nu-cat vitamins if it is a pill. I just had the absolute worst time pilling my poor girl  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2012 16:28:33 GMT -5
what about just yogurt? plain, can't remember if low-fat or regular is what's best (...sherry? i think i've seen you mention yogurt before?)
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Post by mjbez on Aug 5, 2012 19:06:35 GMT -5
Oh? I would be interested to have Sherry answer this and see if yogurt is a possibility. I would worry about the fact that its a milk product? Lactose?  |
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Post by Sherry on Aug 5, 2012 19:26:03 GMT -5
Full fat plain balkan style yogurt. You can also use kefir, from the refrigerated section in most grocery stores.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2012 20:07:18 GMT -5
The Nu Cat tabets can be ground up and mixed in with raw. They are very paletable.... My fuzz hate pills also! Bene Bac powder by Pet Ag can be found on Amazon and sprinkled on food. Lasts a very long time, no dairy.
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