Friday, February 17, 2012

PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS, SYNBIOTICS AND PET WELLNESS

For decades, scientific research has focused on fighting “bad” bacteria in the body, primarily through the use of antibiotics.  Unfortunately, antibiotics are not selective in the kinds of bacteria they kill; “good” bacteria are killed along with “bad” bacteria.  In addition, “bad” bacteria are becoming “super” bugs and developing resistance to many commonly prescribed antibiotics.  Antibiotics can also cause numerous adverse side effects.
More recently, there has been a shift away from fighting “bad” bacteria in the body in favour of promoting “good” bacteria primarily through the use of the “biotics” which include prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics. The “biotics” can be incorporated into the diet as a preventive, used on a long-term basis without encountering the side effects seen with antibiotics, and are viewed as a more holistic approach to maintaining health than are antibiotics.   “Biotics” enhance and support a healthy bacterial population, whereas antibiotics disrupt this balance.

Prebiotics are defined as nondigestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of beneficial bacteria in the colon that improve host health.  Dietary fibre is the most common prebiotic found in the diets of dogs and cats.
Probiotics are defined as live (viable) beneficial bacteria, which upon ingestion in sufficient numbers have been shown to exert health benefits to the host.  It is very important that both parts of the definition are met in order to call a product a probiotic.
Synbiotics are defined as a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics that beneficially affect the host.  The rationale for synbiotics is that the prebiotic is used to improve the survival of the probiotic organisms.

The use of synbiotics to enchance intestinal health
A two-point approach to maintaining GI health can be achieved through the use of snybiotics.  When prebiotics and probiotics are administered simultaneously, the prebiotic can be used to increase intestinal survival of the probiotic organism.  Beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, are able to utilize prebiotics as a source of nutrition, whereas pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, are not.
Although research on the use of the “biotics” in dogs and cats is lagging behind that performed on humans, it is becoming increasingly clear that many of the same health benefits that “biotics” provide to humans also occur in dogs and cats.  As more studies are performed in dogs and cats, the potential use will increase.  Although the need for antibiotics will still exist in some patients, it is hopeful that the use of “biotics” will lessen our reliance on antibiotics for promoting and maintaining health in our companion animals. 

Many of the prescription diet foods that are recommended by the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic for your pet are rich in these ingredients.

Friday, February 10, 2012

THINGS DOGS SHOULD REMEMBER!!!



I will not play tug-of-war with Dad’s underwear when he’s on the toilet.

The garbage collector is NOT stealing our stuff.

I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I’m lying under the coffee table.


I will not roll my toys behind the fridge.

I must shake the rainwater out of my fur BEFORE entering the house.

I will not eat the cats’ food, before or after they eat it.

I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean carpet in the house when I am about to throw up.

I will not throw up in the car.

I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc.

I will not lick my human’s face after eating animal poop.

Kitty box crunchies are not food.

The diaper pail is not a cookie jar.

I will not chew my human’s toothbrush and not tell them.

I will not chew crayons or pens, especially not the red ones, or my people will think I am hemorrhaging.

When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it’s raining outside.

I will not steal my Mom’s underwear and dance all over the back yard with it

We do not have a doorbell.  I will not bark each time I hear one on TV.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Wednesdays Have Gone to the Cats!!

We know cats are extra sensitive, and because some cats are very afraid of the barking dogs they may encounter at their annual veterinary visit we have created a special day just for them. The first Wednesday of every month at the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic has been designated just for cats. So your feline friends need not worry about those big loud barking canines. We think it is the prrrrrfect solution to decreasing stress on your cat when they come in for their annual wellness exam and vaccines.
To book an appointment for your feline friend give us a call 905-623-4431.