Dog Community

Should this probiotic be in dog foods?

Posted : 1/24/2007 2:44:03 PM

[linkhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12903867]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12903867[/link];

The effect of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium product in diets of healthy dogs on bacteriological counts of Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. in faeces.

[linkVahjen>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Search&itool=pubmed_Abstract&term=%22Vahjen+W%22%5BAuthor%5D]Vahjen W[/link], [linkManner>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Search&itool=pubmed_Abstract&term=%22Manner+K%22%5BAuthor%5D]Manner K[/link].

Institute of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University Berlin, Germany. vahjen@zedat.fu-berlin.de

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of a probiotic on selected faecal bacteria of healthy dogs under different feed and environmental conditions. For the study 12 dogs kept in households were used for an 18-day supplementation with a patented commercially available strain of E. faecium NCIB 10415 (Enteroferm). In order to minimize losses the probiotic product was orally applicated once a day before meals at a dose of 2 g per dog (9.2 x 10(9) CFU). The faeces were collected before the beginning of the supplementation and at the end of the 18-day application period. In order to exclude contamination, all faeces were taken rectally. Before and at the end of the experimental period total Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. counts were determined in fresh faeces using selective media. It was demonstrated that the 18-day application of the probiotic E. faecium product induced modifications on the gastrointestinal microflora in all dogs. While Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. counts were in majority of the dogs higher than before the application. Clostridium spp. counts were significantly reduced in 10 of 12 dogs. According to the guidelines for the evaluation of the efficiency of microorganisms in dogs a relevant efficacy effect was supported by this data. However, a beneficial effect of the probiotic product on healthy dogs remains questionable.

E. faecium is in all varieties of Eagle Pack, Nature's Variety, and I'm sure there are many other holistic brands that add it. While the study showed that it reduced Clostridium, it actually caused an increase Salmonella and Campylobacter. While the amount of E.faecium given to the dogs in the study was more than a dog would get eating dog foods that add it, do you think those companies that add it should take it out of their formulas?

dyan

Posted : 1/24/2007 6:46:02 PM

Wondered if you "spoke" to John at Eagle Pack about this?

sarah_b

Posted : 1/24/2007 7:53:13 PM

E. faecium is in all varieties of Eagle Pack, Nature's Variety, and I'm sure there are many other holistic brands that add it.

Yes, a quick check - Innova is another.

jessies_mom

Posted : 1/24/2007 8:43:51 PM

Wondered if you "spoke" to John at Eagle Pack about this?

No, but I will e-mail him and post his reply here; good idea Dyan. Did you see the report about probiotics on the news a few days ago; [linkhttp://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/18/HM.probiotics/index.html]http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/18/HM.probiotics/index.html[/link] .
According to the report on CNN,

robiotics are fine to take unless you have a weakened immune system; I wonder if the same principle applies to dogs? Jessie is on an elimination diet right now, so I'm supplementing her diet with acidophilus pearls, which do not have the E.faecium.

Edited to add; I sent John an e-mail about this.

ottoluv

Posted : 1/24/2007 9:20:32 PM

Why would they take it out? That study does not address whether or not increases in campylobacter/salmonella have any deliterious effects on the dog. In addition, most of the dog foods I've seen with bacterial additives have a combination of E. Faecium and lactobacillus (or other bacteria) which also were not looked at. Also, 18 days and then observation is hardly long term. There are lots of more current papers as well addressing probiotic's on pubmed which have found various effects even decreased cholesterol in one. In general, when I give a human patient a probiotic, it's not to decrease certain strains of bacteria in the colon, but to repopulate with normal docile strains as you run in to trouble when one aggressive strain runs wild. I don't think this one study by any means gives a reason to discontinue probiotic supplementation in dog food.

dyan

Posted : 1/24/2007 10:30:40 PM

Well I just looked at the probiotic supplement called DogZymes that I give Bubby, its in there too. My guess its in all probiotics,,,or most????

Misskiwi67

Posted : 1/24/2007 11:49:37 PM

I'm with ottoluv on this one... there is a lot of research on probiotics right now, and I'm sure many studies are better than this one.

My first though was what strains were the salmonella? There are hundreds of strains, only a few of which are pathogenic.

Rick B

Posted : 1/25/2007 7:27:42 AM

While the amount of E.faecium given to the dogs in the study was more than a dog would get eating dog foods that add it...

ORIGINAL: jessies_mom

I'm surprised no one addressed the amount given in the study in the first few responses. How much was it relative to the normal portion received in a serving of kibble or supplement?

There was a story in the "news" today about coffee helping reduce baldness. As long as you can drink 60 cups a day! Ditto with the saccharin in lab rats (years ago). They were fed the equivalent dose to 800 diet sodas a day. Any number of dietary items are good in limited quantities but bad when that quantity is significantly exceeded for a period of time.

jessies_mom

Posted : 1/25/2007 10:09:27 AM

"I'm with ottoluv on this one... there is a lot of research on probiotics right now, and I'm sure many studies are better than this one. "

Good point; I came across the study while looking for something else; when I searched specifically for more information on this subject, I found this; [linkhttp://www.efsa.europa.eu/etc/medialib/efsa/science/feedap/feedap_opinions/417.Par.0002.File.dat/opinion_feedap_013_en1.pdf]http://www.efsa.europa.eu/etc/medialib/efsa/science/feedap/feedap_opinions/417.Par.0002.File.dat/opinion_feedap_013_en1.pdf[/link];

The EFSA Journal (2004) 51, 1-6

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or

Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety of product Oralin for

dogs

(Question No EFSA-2004-001)

Adopted on 15 April 2004

SUMMARY

Oralin® is a microbial feed additive based on the Enterococcus faecium DSM 10663/NCIMB

10415 strain. This product has previously been authorized at Community level for chickens

for fattening, piglets and calves and for turkeys. The notifier is now seeking authorisation

for an extension of use for dogs.

EFSA has been requested by the European Commission to give an opinion on the safety of

Oralin®, when used as a feed additive (1024[/size][/font]25-1010 cfu kg-1 feedingstuff) for dogs.

In a 21 day tolerance study with a total of 16 beagle dogs (6 months of age) a control diet

was compared to a diet containing ten times the highest recommended Oralin® dose. All

parameters tested support the conclusion that the additive is well tolerated by dogs.

Two experiments to determine the influence of E. faecium NCIMB 10415 on the faecal

microflora were reported. In one study Oralin® significantly reduced numbers of E. coli. In

the second Clostridium spp. counts were reduced but no differences were noted in the

counts made on media selective for Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. Thus, overall,

the use of Oralin® does not appear to adversely affect the microflora.

The potential presence of virulence factors in the E. faecium NCIMB 10415 strain was also

investigated. The cell adhesion efaAfm gene was found in the production strain but this is

commonly found in other E. faecium strains, and is not a cause of concern.

Thus, Oralin® appears to be safe for dogs and for humans having contact with the dog.

Another one;

[linkhttp://www.cssm.info/priloha/fm2006_239.pdf]http://www.cssm.info/priloha/fm2006_239.pdf[/link]; I couldn't copy any parts of the study on this site, but it doesn't find any adverse effects from giving E.faecium to dogs either. Sorry to raise an unneccesary red flag; next time I come across something like this I'll look into it more before posting anything about it. [&o]

ottoluv

Posted : 1/25/2007 10:17:59 AM

Sorry to raise an unneccesary red flag; next time I come across something like this I'll look into it more before posting anything about it.

Not at all, it sparked interesting discussion and made us all read what was out there. That's always good

tzu_mom

Posted : 1/25/2007 11:01:54 AM

Nothing to add, but I just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the knowledge on this board. Thanks for all the information and insight.