Purina pushes probiotic efficacy

Nestlé Purina PetCare is offering practices a complimentary countertop unit and pillow packs to help veterinary professionals communicate the benefits of probiotics to clients.

The company is also encouraging veterinary surgeons and RVNs to look at the evidence supporting the use of probiotics they recommend.

Label claims

Purina stated: “Studies carried out on diets claiming to contain probiotics have previously found that they generally did not meet the label claim when evaluated^1,2.”

Libby Sheridan – Purina veterinary technical affairs manager, UK and Ireland – said the efficacy of probiotics was thought to be strain specific³, and recommended clinicians critically assessed the evidence for the particular strain and preparation of probiotics stocked or used.

She said: “The quality and efficacy of probiotics can vary and, while in some cases there is strong evidence for efficacy in the targeted species, for others, the evidence is scant.

“Having experienced it myself, I know it’s not always easy when working in a busy practice to take the time to ensure the evidence is there, but the studies back up that we should assess these things carefully before making a robust recommendation to our clients.”

Lactic acid bacterium

Most antibiotics in the veterinary channel use the lactic acid bacterium Enterococcus faecium. The particular strain and preparation of any probiotic will affect its ability to reach the large intestine, the expected site of action, intact, said Purina.

It said the evidence for the SF68 strain of E faecium has been validated in a number of studies^4-11, with proven benefits focused on the gastrointestinal system and supporting a healthy immune system.

Unit details

Purina’s countertop unit can hold a cat and dog 30-sachet box of Purina ProPlan FortiFlora, which contains the SF68 strain of E faecium. The pillow packs are able to dispense single sachets, so the client can trial it easily at home.

To obtain a unit or discuss the science, contact your Purina veterinary nutrition partner or telephone the nutrition team on 0800 212161 quoting code VETPRESS.

References

1. Weese JS and Arroyo L (2003). Bacteriological evaluation of dog and cat diets that claim to contain probiotics, Can Vet J 44(3): 212.
2. Weese JS and Martin H (2011). Assessment of commercial probiotic bacterial contents and label accuracy, Can Vet J 52(1): 43-46.
3. Culligan E et al (2009). Probiotics and gastrointestinal disease: successes, problems and future prospects, Gut Pathogens 1: 19.
4. Benyacoub J et al (2005). Enterococcus faecium SF68 enhances the immune response to Giardia intestalis in mice, J Nutr 135(5): 1,171-1,176.
5. Veir JK et al (2007). Effect of supplementation with Enterococcus faecium (SF68) on immune functions in cats, Vet Ther 8(4): 229-238.
6. Benyacoub J et al (2003). Supplementation of food with Enterococcus faecium (SF68) stimulates immune functions in young dogs, J Nutr 133(4): 1,158-1,162.
7. Lappin M et al (2008). Pilot study to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 on cats with latent feline herpesvirus 1, J Feline Med Surg 11(8): 650-654.
8. Bybee SN et al (2011). Effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on presence of diarrhea in cats and dogs housed in an animal shelter, J Vet Intern Med 25(4): 856-860.
9. Fenimore A et al (2012). Evaluation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 supplementation with metronidazole for the treatment of non-specific diarrhoea in dogs housed in animal shelters, ACVIM Forum Proc: 793.
10. Gore AM and Reynolds A (2012). Effects of Enterococcus faecium on stress diarrhea, ACVIM Forum Proc: 453.
11. Waldron W et al (2012). Supplementation with Enterococcus faecium reduces flatulence in dogs, Proc 16th Congress Eur Soc Vet Comp Nutr: 51.