Vet School 101 Preventing pet tummy upset with prebiotic foods...but do they work?
No, it’s not a typo. “Prebiotics” are distinct from the “probiotic” dietary supplements we’ve treated here before. But they’re not altogether different. They still work at the level of the small intestine where swarms of bacterial colonies reside and feed happily on your pets’ Gi goo.
But instead of supplying “good” bacteria directly (usually in a probiotic chewie or powder), prebiotics supply bacterial growth promoters––the building blocks, if you will, of happy bacterial colonies.
OK, so here’s a better explanation, provided by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP):
“Prebiotics are selectively fermented, dietary ingredients that result in specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, thus conferring benefit(s) upon host health. Unlike probiotics, a prebiotic targets the microbiota already present within the ecosystem, acting as a 'food' for the target microbes with beneficial consequences for host.”
Got it? Pretty basic, right? But while this blurb manages to explain (at least in principle) HOW prebiotics work, it’s not too clear on WHAT they do. We all know that probiotics help pets with diarrhea or chronic small intestinal “bad” bacterial overgrowth, but what is this “benefit upon host health” prebiotics confer?
Here’s a continuation of the same ISAPP pitch:
“Certain prebiotics, when used in adequate amounts, have been shown to provide health benefits including improved digestive function and intestinal environment, positive modulation of immunity and metabolism, improved lipid metabolism and improved absorption of dietary minerals. Prebiotics can complement probiotic functions.”
In case that’s still fuzzy, here’s an Iams nutritionist’s explanation:
“More specifically, prebiotic fiber is fermented by many beneficial species of the intestinal bacterial ecosystem, which leads to the generation of short chain fatty acids. These short chain fatty acids then serve as an important energy substrate for intestinal mucosal cells, which, in turn, leads to intestinal mucosal growth, increased GI motility, a decrease in pathogenic bacterial species, an anti-inflammatory state of the GI mucosa, and the modulation of the gut-associated immune system.”
Satisfied? No? OK, let me translate:
Probiotics are great for pets who suffer occasional or even chronic overgrowths of “bad” intestinal bacteria that result from problems like “garbage gut” (dietary indiscretion) or a sensitivity to or inability to absorb certain dietary ingredients. Adding the good bacteria helps correct the imbalance and tamp down the nasty bacteria’s populations. Hence, probiotics are especially helpful for pets who suffer intermittent or chronic diarrhea.
Similarly, prebiotics work to mitigate the effects of the bad bacteria by supplying oligosaccharides (mostly fructooligosaccharides or mannanoligosaccharides) to promote the growth of the good bacteria (primarily bifidobacteria and, to some extent, lactobacilli). In the case of prebiotics, this positive effect also extends to the actual intestinal cells. Bonus.
It’s just another way of getting the right GI bacteria balance along with some intestinal cell support so that pets might theoretically be able to tolerate acute GI insults more readily and suffer fewer symptoms of their chronic gut problems.
That’s the idea. It’s a compelling one, too. Anything that helps us treat the intestines without drugs is a potential boon for pets who suffer diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. That’s why prebiotic ingredient-fortified diets are becoming more and more popular in the pet food marketplace. Iams is the biggest player on the prebiotic scene so far, but expect to see more big pet food companies take on this bacteria detail in the coming year.
I assume that’s because these diets work but, to be honest, I’ve not yet tried any on behalf of my patients. As much as I ply diarrhea dogs and constipated cats with probiotics, I haven’t yet gotten around to recommending prebiotic-containing foods.
Some of my reluctance is probably the result of my innate, prescription diet skepticism...and because I have a thing about big-company commercial foods in general. But that doesn’t mean I won’t recommend commercial diets. After all, I don’t expect most pet owners to consult with nutritionists and make their own pet foods.
So I guess it’s about time I gave these foods a go. Anyone else here ready to take the plunge?
September 21st, 2009
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Add Comment44 Comments
I've known horse owners who fed prebiotics with what they said were good results. I've been thinking about a pre- or pro- biotic supplement for my senior dog with some issues too. Really, she seems to stay on a pretty even keel if I just give her some rice every day. I'm not sure that's what's *best* for her, though.
Galadriel September 21st, 2009 01:24:47 PM
Animal Essentials has a nice new prebiotic liquid supplement.
Christine September 21st, 2009 02:44:58 PM
I add prebiotics to my home prepared foods, and to premium kibble (as well as probiotics). I have one pup with a predisposition to what I call "pudding poop" (and he's been wormed, tested, dosed with this, that and the other thing, and it still recurs), and another pup that has normal poop, but a lot of it. Both are breeds known to be very flatulent. My understanding is that the prebiotics will help them more completely and efficiently digest what they eat so there will be less waste and less odor. It doesn't seem to do any harm. Another thing which a couple of high-end foods are adding is montmorillonite clay, which I noticed is the primary ingredient in an OTC diarrhea remedy which I found very effective. I read up on it and it seems to have something of an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut as well as having some nutritional value. The powdered product can be bought from herb stores, but I've had better luck with the relatively inexpensive veterinary paste. I'm not trying to plug products, and I'm sure you know what I'm talking about and can identify it if you think appropriate.
Susan September 21st, 2009 02:53:44 PM
a foster dog was prescribed iam's intestinal health that contains prebiotics and low insoluble fiber & fat content. it seemed to help with his digestion in that he no longer defecated in amounts equal to his body size & his diarrhea tapered off. i switchedhim off of the prescription to another kibble and added digestive enzymes (pro-zyme) and dietary fiber (aka soluble fiber aka prebiotics) in the form of powdered psyllium husk to pureed pumpkin (also a decent source of soluble fiber). that also worked to reduce diarrhea and volume. i've never heard about montmorillonite clay, but i think adding something to reduce inflammation would have also helped matters. he continues to get more stable (and with his forever people now) on some variation of dietary support.
shirley September 21st, 2009 05:58:40 PM
Dr. Khuly, what's your opinion on the Purina diet that contains colostrum? Neither a prebiotic nor a probiotic, it's intended to palliative/prevent stress diarrhea by supplying the gut with useful antibodies. I would love to read a topic on that one next... Especially how it could even be possible for an older animal to absorb colostrum (from a species not their own too!) let alone that the colostrum would have any kind of palliative effect after being dried up and sprayed on a food (also, where are they getting all that colostrum from?).
anecdote September 21st, 2009 07:16:02 PM
I have been feeding Eukanuba for a while now. Not sure I see a difference with the new prebiotics ornot. But my breed of dog has cast iron stomachs. They do great on it so I stay with it.
Holly September 21st, 2009 08:47:39 PM
Wow, now we have scam artists of a different stripe. Ellis, go away and tout your cheating products on a college kid's blog.
KateH September 22nd, 2009 10:25:05 AM
KateH: At least I have the ability to make them go away. It's very satisfying. In fact, since you clearly hate spammers so much (and who doesn't?) I'd love to turn over deletion detail to you. ;-)
Dr. Patty Khuly September 22nd, 2009 11:13:21 AM
Wow, that'd be awesome! I must tell you that my computer knowledge is minimal, and I'm not always online, but I'd give it a shot. I'm not sure about anything concerning a blog or website, though, just so you know.
KateH September 22nd, 2009 11:35:00 AM
Dr. Khuly,
As you no doubt know, the inability to digest long chain triglycerides is a serious problem in dogs with lymphangiectasia, who often don't digest enough fats or the other things that are normally carried into the system with the fats, like proteins and certain vitamins.
If I understand this correctly, one implication is that these prebiotics could have potential application in the management of this disease. What do you think about this? Worth trying, or potential to do more harm?
Louie's Mom September 22nd, 2009 12:56:50 PM
Louie's mom: Umm...check with your internist or consult with a nutritionist. I honestly don't know if it's a wise approach for Louie or not.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 22nd, 2009 04:16:19 PM
On the colostrum thing: Until proven otherwise, it's just plain hooey. I was always taught not to jump on the bandwagon of products that made grandiose claims science doesn't support. Check this out:
"Colostrum is the pre-milk fluid produced from a mother's mammary glands during the first 72 hours after birth. It provides life-supporting immune and growth factors that insure the health and vitality of a newborn. Research has shown that Colostrum has powerful natural immune and growth factors that bring the body to a state of homeostasis -- its powerful, vital natural state of health and well being. Colostrum helps support healthy immune function; it also enhances resistance to the harmful effects of pollutants, contaminants and allergens where they attack. Use with immune suppressed animals and with young puppies & kittens to boost immunity and aid optimal health & growth."
Yeah, the research is done on human/animal colostrum within the same species and within 72 hours of birth. Beyond then, it's not assimilated by the body as the intestines will no longer allow proteins this size to be absorbed. And this is supposedly bovine colostrum––as in cow. Not sure the size of the protein molecules in cow colostrum relative to humans but I'm not real sure I'd consider a cow's antibody-rich milk much of a help to me or my pets.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 22nd, 2009 04:24:08 PM
Thanks, I'll speak with her about it. I think she's on vacation this week, and he's doing well, so no rush. It just sounds intriguing!
Louie's Mom September 23rd, 2009 11:40:18 AM
Louie's Mom....if I remember correctly you are have the dog that needed the old formula of Digestive Low fat? It is in the digestive low fat that you use! Royal Canin has had Prebotics in it's diets for awhile! It is listed as Mannonoligiosaccaride or Fructoolgiosaccarides.
goose September 23rd, 2009 08:24:03 PM
Goose, thank you for that. You do remember correctly. I'll take a look at the labels on the cans I have and see if those things are listed. Those are awfully strange names!
Louie's Mom September 23rd, 2009 10:54:46 PM
Nope, nothing like that on the label. Methinks someone might be pulling my leg :)
Louie's Mom September 23rd, 2009 11:35:25 PM
The idea behind colostrum-containing foods is not that the antibodies are supposed to be absorbed (because obviously they won't be after the gut closes ~72 hours after birth), but that they act locally by stimulating lymphoid tissue in the gut to produce its own IgA. I don't know if the Purina EN works any better with colostrum in it, but holistic vets were using bovine colostrum products for years before Purina incorporated it into their kibble.
Megan September 24th, 2009 08:19:59 AM
Thank you, Megan. Is there any research to support this or is it another it-might-work-so-we'll-try-it approach? Just curious since I can't seem to find anything in the vet literature on an admittedly quick search. Not being contrary...truly interested.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 25th, 2009 07:37:26 AM
There is an article in the Journal of Nutrition (human literature) about the effects of bovine colostrum in puppies, but aside from that I think that Purina did all their own research about colostrum. I know there's a "technical bulletin" posted on the Purina board on VIN that describes their research and findings. Take it all with a grain of salt, of course...
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