Probiotics

[Mosby]

I've figured out that my male Vizsla doesn't travel well and it isn't unusual for him to skip meals after a long trip....which isn't convenient when we're hunting. He isn't a big eater regardless and I'm thinking hard on adding probiotics to his food and see if it adds value. We have a long trip coming up and I am trying to get ahead of the problem. I have some Purina Fortiflora that I've used sporadically and it has worked well for things like diarrhea but I've never used it on a daily basis.

I asked a breeder I know and she is using a brand called Dr. Kruger....which I've never heard of. Anyone using a probiotic that they think is better than the Purina Forti Flora? I found an old thread and Dogzymes Probiotic Max was recommended but that was several years ago. I know some guys use yogurt but I would like to find something that was a bit easier to travel with.

Are you guys using probiotics for your dogs? What brand?

 

[FlushingSetters1724]

I use Purina FortiFlora throughout the year.. last year before one of our trips Marty stopped eating (because he gets so worked up when he sees me packing) and then had horrible diarrhea that looked like it had blood in it..

We almost cancelled our trip because it looked so bad, but the vet said if he ate some food topped with that it would likely solve his issue. I was able to get him to eat a bowl of food after I took him for a hunt around home (for whatever reason, he’ll always eat after a hunt). Within a day his stomach issues were solved, it was a miracle.

I guess long story short, don’t sleep on the positive effects of a $30 probiotic.. we now give him a pack or two a week just to keep things working right. Luckily, my other dog, Larry, has never missed a meal or given us a single thing to worry about.

 

[Mosby]

I use Purina FortiFlora throughout the year.. last year before one of our trips Marty stopped eating (because he gets so worked up when he sees me packing) and then had horrible diarrhea that looked like it had blood in it..

We almost cancelled our trip because it looked so bad, but the vet said if he ate some food topped with that it would likely solve his issue. I was able to get him to eat a bowl of food after I took him for a hunt around home (for whatever reason, he’ll always eat after a hunt). Within a day his stomach issues were solved, it was a miracle.

I guess long story short, don’t sleep on the positive effects of a $30 probiotic.. we now give him a pack or two a week just to keep things working right. Luckily, my other dog, Larry, has never missed a meal or given us a single thing to worry about.

My male Vizsla didn't eat dinner last night, so I put a fortiflora in his food this morning. It isn't unusual for him to skip meals. I'm going to start giving it to him on a regular basis and see if it helps. Purina uses a single strain and others use multiple strains. I have no idea if one is more effective than another but I have a new box of the Purina, so I'll use it up and see if there is any improvement. I found another brand called Alpha Dog Nutrition that I might try. Thought I would see if anyone had any other specific recommendations. Thanks.

 

[wingsnfins]

Give Kinetic Hydro30K a shot in your dog's water......it is a great supplement.....if your dog is drinking it, then mix it and add some to the food.
I have a lab, which everyone knows a lab will never miss a meal, but I still will water his food down a bit with Kinetic Hydro30K mix on trips. In the field, it's all he gets from the water bottles. Incredible hydration and recovery.
My buddy who joins us on the trips runs 2 short hairs who are picky about eating.....it took one meal that I mixed for them with the supplement and they ate it. Now he won't hunt them without mixing it in to make sure they eat.

 

[Dakotazeb]

Probiotics will help your dog have a healthy gut, which is good. But I don't see where it's going to help a dog in eating their normal ration of food.

 

[Mosby]

Probiotics will help your dog have a healthy gut, which is good. But I don't see where it's going to help a dog in eating their normal ration of food.

He doesn't travel well. Whether it's stress or car sickness I don't know. I've read that fortiflora can help and Purina recommends starting a couple days before a trip. We travel frequently between our home and KC. It's a 4 hour trip each way. I just came home the day before and he skipped a meal. We have a long hunting trip coming up and I know he will have stomach issues when we arrive. I've never been big on supplements but I'm
willing to try probiotics to see if it provides any benefit to his gut and reduce his stomach issues. It might not but I'm not out much if it doesn't.

 

[Dakotazeb]

He doesn't travel well. Whether it's stress or car sickness I don't know. I've read that fortiflora can help and Purina recommends starting a couple days before a trip. We travel frequently between our home and KC. It's a 4 hour trip each way. I just came home the day before and he skipped a meal. We have a long hunting trip coming up and I know he will have stomach issues when we arrive. I've never been big on supplements but I'm
willing to try probiotics to see if it provides any benefit to his gut and reduce his stomach issues. It might not but I'm not out much if it doesn't.

Good luck. I hope works for your dog.

 

[LC Smith]

I have been using these capsules for Whisky and they seem to work really well. I order them from Chewy. I used to get them from the vet, but I just order them direct now. If he seems to be in a little more tummy distress I crush up some Pro-Pectalin tablets for a couple of days.

 

[Mosby]

I have been using these capsules for Whisky and they seem to work really well. I order them from Chewy. I used to get them from the vet, but I just order them direct now. If he seems to be in a little more tummy distress I crush up some Pro-Pectalin tablets for a couple of days.

View attachment 11788

View attachment 11789

I used the Pro Pectalin for the first time on my last hunting trip. Friend had it for her dogs. It worked well for my dogs diarrhea. I ordered some from Chewy to have for upcoming trips.

 

[Munster927]

As Zeb said, I don't think probiotics will help your dog feel like eating during hunting trips, but it won't hurt your dog any, I give mine Nutri Vet Pre and Pro biotic daily. But it's purpose is for gut health, not to increase appetite.

What can help during the hunting trip, would be a food topper. Mine can be finicky to eat during hunting trips as well, but if I mix in canned food she eats. I typically buy a cheaper brand stuff as the main nutrition is coming from the dry food. I buy Beneful brand soft food to mix in. It comes in a plastic tub with a top so it's easy to mix in half a tub or so with her dry food then throw the rest in a cooler or fridge.

 

[Mosby]

As Zeb said, I don't think probiotics will help your dog feel like eating during hunting trips, but it won't hurt your dog any, I give mine Nutri Vet Pre and Pro biotic daily. But it's purpose is for gut health, not to increase appetite.

What can help during the hunting trip, would be a food topper. Mine can be finicky to eat during hunting trips as well, but if I mix in canned food she eats. I typically buy a cheaper brand stuff as the main nutrition is coming from the dry food. I buy Beneful brand soft food to mix in. It comes in a plastic tub with a top so it's easy to mix in half a tub or so with her dry food then throw the rest in a cooler or fridge.

I already give my dogs food toppers both canned and homemade and right now he is eating 3 cups a day of Nutrisource plus food topper but we're not traveling or hunting. When I pull into a motel after a 9 hour drive he isn't going to eat no matter what I put on his food and he might not for a couple days. He'll get diarrhea too. I'm hoping the probiotics will help reduce some of those stomach issues created from traveling. It might not but I think it's worth a try. I already know the outcome if I just keep doing the same thing.

Probiotics for Dogs – American Kennel Club

Probiotics for dogs are a nutritional tool to help with tummy troubles. Here's everything you need to know about the remedy.

www.akc.org

 

[LC Smith]

I already give my dogs food toppers both canned and homemade and right now he is eating 3 cups a day of Nutrisource plus food topper but we're not traveling or hunting. When I pull into a motel after a 9 hour drive he isn't going to eat no matter what I put on his food and he might not for a couple days. He'll get diarrhea too. I'm hoping the probiotics will help reduce some of those stomach issues created from traveling. It might not but I think it's worth a try. I already know the outcome if I just keep doing the same thing.

Probiotics for Dogs – American Kennel Club

Probiotics for dogs are a nutritional tool to help with tummy troubles. Here's everything you need to know about the remedy.

www.akc.org

Poor boy...

 

[Munster927]

I already give my dogs food toppers both canned and homemade and right now he is eating 3 cups a day of Nutrisource plus food topper but we're not traveling or hunting. When I pull into a motel after a 9 hour drive he isn't going to eat no matter what I put on his food and he might not for a couple days. He'll get diarrhea too. I'm hoping the probiotics will help reduce some of those stomach issues created from traveling. It might not but I think it's worth a try. I already know the outcome if I just keep doing the same thing.

Probiotics for Dogs – American Kennel Club

Probiotics for dogs are a nutritional tool to help with tummy troubles. Here's everything you need to know about the remedy.

www.akc.org

The probiotics should help some, it won't hurt at all. Just give it to him everyday, at home or hunting to get the best benefits. But it almost sounds like he gets a little bit of anxiety induced (maybe not the best word but it's all that comes to mind) diarrhea due to knowing he's about to hunt and being all excited for it.

 

[Mosby]

The probiotics should help some, it won't hurt at all. Just give it to him everyday, at home or hunting to get the best benefits. But it almost sounds like he gets a little bit of anxiety induced (maybe not the best word but it's all that comes to mind) diarrhea due to knowing he's about to hunt and being all excited for it.

That's what I'm thinking too. Thanks.

 

[Wind River]

Maybe nervous colitis like my friends GWP.

 

[2point]

I have had labs for over 50 years and they would get ear infections. Several years ago my vet said give a tablespoon of plain yogurt on their food. I haven’t had any ear infections since. I also have been boiling chicken and adding it to the pro-plan kibble. My labs are definitely not picky eaters but I think they like the mix. Maybe try something like that to get the dog to eat after traveling. Good luck.