Probiotics Search - Human Grade and CFUs

Interesting. I wonder what freeze drying does to acidophilus? If that doesn't destroy it, freezing certainly wouldn't!

I'm 99.9% sure the probiotics in green tripe are destroyed by the heat needed for canning.

I'm not sure actually! Although the K9 Naturals Green Tripe does actually list the "amount" of acidophilus - so I assume freezing it would be alright too? I'm not sure how much of it is actually effective since I do give the Natural Factors also and the amount of green tripe I give daily is so minimal. And yes, you're right about the canned. For some reason I totally forgot we were talking about probiotics here and not just necessarily green tripe. 

I believe S&C freeze-dried also has acidophilus, but I don't quite remember if it lists the amount anywhere on the bag.

I did a quick read, and didn't find what I consider to be a definitive source, but I do have an answer. When probiotics are going to be frozen, they're usually coated with something to protect them. Heat does destroy them, so if they're in something cooked/pasteurized, they have to be added AFTER the processing.

So OUR adding probiotics and then freezing them most likely reduces the viability of the probiotic, as they won't be coated with whatever protects them in food processing.

Thanks LDG,

That's a pity to hear that.  I really hate the little caps - they always seem to pop open and spray everywhere for me.

I did write to BioProsper Labs (Nexabiotic) but I haven't heard back from them yet.  I'll let you know if they answer differently.

Thanks, that'd be great. I hope they answer! (Always appreciate good customer service too!)

Hmm... not really a helpful answer.   I'll take their advice, but it's a one line reply that didn't actually address my question and doesn't give me a lot of confidence that they actually know the answer or thought about the question much.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings, we recommend refrigeration rather than freezing.

Thank You,
Bioprosper Labs Support

Doesn't address the question at all. Sounds like a customer service rep that didn't do any asking/digging. If it were me, I'd reply.

Hi am new to this forum, but I do know about animal probiotics.  I do have a cat that contracted Feline Coronavirus..In which she would have what I would consider- serious gas (I mean clear the room, like she poo'd in your lap) and serious bowel issues.  Not this virus can be contagious to kittens and older cats - but most healthy adult cats can be immune to it...So far, I only have one cat with it..  She has had it for about 1.5yrs and the vet suggested I used a serious probiotic.  He prescribed FAST BALANCE GI...It can be sold on line without a script.  It is used in a variety of animals (from horses to small animals) .  This brand is kind of expensive and for a cat, I needed to use 5cc 1x daily.  Since, I did work in the pet world for a long time and also familiar with farm animals- After my initial use of the Fast Balance, I ended up using PROBIOS - which can come in a paste or a powder.  This you can purchase at Tractor Supply, or Farm Bureau, or any store that will also carry livestock stuff.  It is much less expensive, and honestly I think it worked better.  Directions are right on the container for a variety of animals for the appropriate dosage.

Honestly- my little girl Velvet (a/k/a Stinky Pete) has not had any issues since we have been using it (keeping in mind CoronaVirus has no cure, but at least "Stinky Pete" is not so stinky and feeling much better these days- running and playing like she should be)  .And I have also used it for other animals when they were sick...It is a great product, has a long shelf life and is a miracle worker.

I forgot to add the main info I think you were looking for... Probios (The gel/paste I have right now) is the one labeled for cattle (only labeled like this because I bought the 60cc tube) the smaller tubes actually list other animals on them, but smaller cc's..  Since I must use it regularly it was more practical for me to purchase the BIG Tube..  In anycase the levels are the same in all tubes... It is called PROBIOS Microbial Products.  Contains a source of live (viable), naturally occurring microorganisms.  The "Guarantee" on the tube states:  Lactic Acid Bacteria not less then 10 million CFU /gm.

For those not used to some of the terms used:

Lactic Acid Bacteria - Enterococus faecium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lacobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Plantarum

CFU - Colony Forming Units

....Hope this is helpful....I have been using this as an ongoing treatment and for sickly animals for years (even prior to this CoronaVirus issue) and I think it is wonderful.

I read a lot of people talking about FortiFlora (Purina), I have used this too...Very expensive for a box compared to the price I spent on Probios or even Fast Balance...  Also noticed with FortiFlora..(used this first from my Vet when my kitty was sick, because the vet sold it to me right there)  I had to use this for days to get any result at all.  With the Probios, I see a good result and a bounce back within the same day, if not hours..  I personally prefer the results from Probios and the PRICE, for a Better Result- you can't beat.  Fortiflora box of 30 is $17.95 and up...My big Tube of Probios that will last me probably 3mos or more, was $9-$12 at Tractor Supply.

Hi Kaos8,

Thanks for yoru recommendations on Probios, I shall look into it.

Although FortiFlora does work for some, a good portion of this forum probably isn't using FortiFlora for its probiotics. In fact, I let mine expire. Dr. Lisa Pierson advocates using it as a food topper when transitioning cats to wet or raw, as most cats like the animal digest and resulting smell it has.

As this thread has one of the more thorough discussions of probiotics, I thought I'd update it with a link to a good overview of probiotic use. The blog post is in relation to ferrets, but the general discussion on probiotics is very educational. http://www.ferretharmony.net/2013/12/30/probiotic-therapy-for-ferrets/

Oh - I probably should have posted this here, as it directly addresses Human Grade probiotics and the wide range of potentially therapeutic CFUs: http://www.wvc.org/images/session_notes_2013/2013_S22C.pdf

It's a short overview of probiotics in pets, from the 2013 Western Veterinary Conference, titled "Probiotics in GI Health."

I'm new to this very informative site. Can very much relate to the Clostridrium p. issues (my male kitty has had soft stools for 2-3 months following a major relocation, with an eventual diagnosis of C.P.). You mentioned that the probiotic, "Nexabiotic" cures clostridrium. Do you happen to know if it is effective for all types of Clostridium...?

If effective for C.P., would love to know where to order it, as well as the enzyme, "Prozyme Original" that LDG mentioned. Not much is available for quality supplements for kitties here in France (I'm an expat from America).

Thanks in advance for your help, assuming my post is seen in time to help my furry kid! (He was treated with antibiotics for 14 long days, with a spyromicide + metro. VERY difficult to administer, so a few days were not fully ingested :-/. He is better, but still has soft stools, so am seeking another route! Merci!

Did you happen to see THIS thread?  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/259985/trouble-in-raw-paradise-clostridium-perfringens-and-my-cats

As far as where to order the two items in question, I know Amazon.com carries both Nexabiotic and Prozyme Original, but what I don't know is whether or not you can order from Amazon

Good luck finding it and sure hope your little one feels better soon

How do you folks administer a probiotic?  do you put it in their food?

Yes, you can just open up the capsule and sprinkle it on their food, or mix it into their food.   1/2 capsule in the morning, and 1/2 capsule in the evening is how most people do it.

Which brand are you referring to?  several people here have mentioned what seems to be a paste or gel, but your post indicates a powder form...and is there a down side to probiotics?

I don't know which brand mrsgreenjeens uses, but here is one that a lot of forum members use:


Probiotics are pretty safe, but the benefits are substantial. About 70% of  the human immune system is believed to reside in our gut; therefore the current craze for yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods. If you give too much probiotic, you can create a bout of diarrhea, but that's about it. Diarrhea can be life threatening for a kitten, but if your cat is an adult probiotics should be very safe.

I know for myself that there is an ingredient that I CANNOT tolerate - its in Fiber One products, and, I think, in the Dannon yogurt that is the one for a "healthy gut" - the ingredient is inulin.