Bio-Algae Concentrates (BACs), Spirulina, Etc.

So, another weekend of research has left me with questions regarding bio-algae concentrates (BACs), spirulina, and other "whole food supplements."

LittleBigCat.com has an article about BioPreparation and BioSuperfood products (http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/biosuperfood-for-super-health/), which uses a blend of four species of microalgae.

The Mercola website has a bit about their Spirugreen Superfood product for pets (http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/spirugreen.aspx). I found this very interesting since these are the same people that support raw feeding and animal-based supplements, but have nothing but great things to say about spirulina.

I'm totally liking the idea of whole food supplements, so I'm just curious. Anyone have any experience using products such as these? Or any other algae and/or green food products?

P.S. I know that a raw diet is the best "whole food" you can give any pet. But PLEASE don't turn this into a raw feeding thread! 

I've read about high iodine levels in algae, but I don't know the truth of that matter.

Interesting article,that's for sure.  I honestly don't know what to make of it.  I DO know that the spirulina, super greens are great for humans...but 'course, what's good for humans isn't necessarily good for cats.  The pet formula got great reviews on Amazon though.

I don't know what to make of it either. It seems not many people (or vets) have experience using these types of supplements on pets.

This site talks about using them for Allergies but it mentions what they do as well http://www.petcarenaturally.com/articles/using-whole-food-supplements.php

Whole Food Supplements the basics

Here is another Dr Becker page on Spirulina: http://healthypets.mercola.com/site...giving-spirulina-and-astaxanthin-to-pets.aspx

http://www.landofholisticpets.co.uk/spirulina_in_dog_food.html

http://greendognaturals.com/faqs/

Testimonial of someone who used it in her dog: http://liziangel.blogspot.com/2011/10/spirulina.html

This stuff sounds amazing.  I might just have to get some for my crew (and myself)

WebMD warns against using it if you have an autoimmune disorder or are on immune suppressing drugs such as prednisone.

Thanks for the links @cprcheetah. I have found some discussions on the Yahoo groups.

http://pets.dir.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/bioalgae/conversations/topics/744

http://pets.dir.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/bioalgae/conversations/topics/1844

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/bioalgae/conversations/topics/266

http://www.wendysanimaltalk.com/2009/12/healthylife.html

There are others. Of course, it really stood out at me on using these for IBD and pancreatitis kitties because of Sebastian. But, as @peaches08 mentioned, WebMD says it shouldn't be taken with prednisone (in humans), so I don't know.

Especially if the cause of the problems is autoimmune or inflammatory in origin, I would be afraid of using something that claims to be immune-stimulating. But I do like where you are going in trying to find something nutritional/oral to help with the IBD and pancreatitis.

Why don't you ask on one of those yahoo groups if any of them know about using it with Pred for their cats?  Those groups are usually pretty current on whats happening. 

I'll have to see if I can log in to the Yahoo groups and navigate my way around. The last time I signed in for the feline IBD group, I was so confused by their interface. It is not user-friendly at all, and I'm pretty computer savvy.

Well, both Boo and Caesar have not been feeling well, and I'm getting desperate. I decided to start both Boo and Caesar on the Mercola Spirugreen for Pets product. I purchased it my local Vitamin Shoppe (they have a pet supplement section).

Caesar is known to have days where he doesn't feel well and will skip one or two meals, but then comes back. However, this time it is lasting longer. He didn't even eat much on the appetite stimulant I gave him. I've been giving him a nighttime slurry of slippery elm bark, marshmallow root, probiotics, l-lysine, and taurine for GI and immune support. This usually does the trick, but not this time. I was at the point where I would have to start syringe feeding him, so I decided to start Caesar on 1/2 tablet of the Spirugreen supplement. I crushed it with a mortar and pestle and added it to his other nighttime supplements, mixed with water, and administered carefully via a syringe. (Note: Spirugreen is VERY green. When mixed with water, it reminded me of the Lime Cordial cough syrup on Mary Poppins.    )  Anyway, within only 2 days of giving this to Caesar, he is begging for food and wants to eat. Of course, he ate too much too fast this morning and regurgitated, BUT he's feeling better. It seems my life and my cats' lives are full of "coincidences." Is it a coincidence that Caesar is now feeling better after being given the Spirugreen? 

Moving on to Boo (see: More Concerned for Boo). I started Boo on Spirugreen, as well, and have noted in his thread that he seems to be improving somewhat in overall demeanor. If we can't get a diagnosis and treat a known problem, then I'm willing to try something that will make him feel better. Their happiness and quality of life is my utmost priority. I guess we'll see. According to the Mercola articles on this product, it is pretty harmless and there are no worries on oversupplementing with the Spirugreen, although I will only give what is recommended on the label.

Glad to hear that it's helping!!

Okay, regarding the use of algae supplements...

After much research and gathering real testimonials from people using BioSuperfood (BSF) or BioPreparation (BP) for their pets, I decided to buy the BioSuperfood based on Dr. Hofve's recommendations (see: http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/biosuperfood-for-super-health/ and http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/biosuperfood-choosing-the-right-product/). I started giving it to all three of my cats on 1/18 using an extremely tiny amount. I read all the warnings about giving too much too soon, so I was very careful. By the way, for those of you following my other threads, Caesar's health started to decline before starting this supplement. I just didn't want you all to think it caused Caesar's UTI. Anyway...

SEBASTIAN I don't think it is working out for Sebastian with his pancreatitis and IBD. I stuck with it for 9 days (might have been 10), even when Sebastian was acting "off." Those who are using the product claimed that there can be a couple of "detox" days in the beginning and then you'll be in the clear, so I continued with the hope that it would pass. It didn't and Sebastian is now having a flare that I'm trying to get him out of. He's not eating much and I'm being aggressive with supportive care. I've discontinued the BSF. Going with what @peaches08 said above, I think the BSF might be more of a immuno-stimulant and is aggravating Sebastian's issues. He's on prednisolone, too, so I think the two are fighting against each other. I said all along that I wanted to avoid immuno-stimulants for Sebastian. With all the rave reviews on BSF and BP, I thought I'd give it a shot. It is probably a great product for those pets who need an immune booster and do not have an autoimmune type of disorder (like true inflammatory bowel disease). This is just my opinion.

BOO The BSF is not affecting Boo negatively, and may actually be helping him. It claims to heal from the inside out, so it may be beneficial for Boo's nerve health and arthritis. I noticed he's been laying a little more comfortably the past couple of days. He was already on prescription meds before starting the BSF, so it could be that we are a week into the BSF and it's starting to do it's thing.     Boo does not have an autoimmune type of condition where an immuno-stimulant would be a problem. I will continue it for Boo and see how it goes. P.S. I stopped giving Boo the Spirugreen supplement mentioned in post # 10 above. He no longer wanted to take it as a treat from my hand and it was too much of a pain to crush to a fine powder. The BSF is already powdered in a capsule and much more potent, so you need less of it. I just mix the BSF in his wet food.

CAESAR I haven't decided if I am going to continue it for Caesar. He has a UTI, which we are addressing, and he's lost some weight. Still thinking about this...

I started giving my cat Bio Superfood 2 last month, after using it on Dr. Jean's website- I have a tip for you- If you go onto the Optimum Choices website, which carries the Bio Superfood, you can select the live chat option with regards to any question about using the supplement for cats with certain conditions or on certain medications and get an immediate response and very helpful information- I am not sure if you ordered it from this site or not. Also, if you post a question on the yahoo bio superfood group, you will most likely get a response in a few days.

Let me correct that first line- I started using it after seeing it on Dr. Jean's website !

Hi @loganregina. Thanks for your posts. I never updated this thread, but I ended up discontinuing the BioSuperfood for all three cats. Under the direction of multiple vets, they are now on treatments specific to their individual ailments. I had much hope for the BioSuperfood, but wasn't seeing results and it ended up sending Sebastian into a flare. I hope you have better luck with it.

Just to share experience with those who have kitties with IBD and either are borderline for pancreatitis or those whose kitties have this terrible illness as was my Benjamen's diagnosis last summer after a bacterial UTI.  I was shattered with this information.  I started out looking for a healthier diet as the dry food was not the best option for his condition.  His UTI  eventually cleared on antibiotics.....it took several months.  A dear friend told me to add Slippery Elm powder that I purchased from a nature food store in bulk....the lesser expensive route (buy as much as you need to try out at first) and far better quality.  I also added "pure" d-mannose along with a pro-biotic to help replace good flora destroyed by antibiotics.  This worked like a charm to help keep any re-infection from happening on the UTI end,  but a few months after recovering my poor boy was struck with worsening to severe vomiting of his food, hair, bile, and blood from the horrible wretching to get up hairballs along with terrible constipation.

 I once again took to the internet and found a company referred to on the Cat Site by Dr. H called VITALITY SCIENCE and also mentioned was Optimum Choices for the BioPreparation for pets, but I will comment on that later. If anyone out there has a kitty who has problems with hairballs/stomach issues/IBD/pancreatitis let me tell you absolutely without a doubt you must begin these products from VITALITY SCIENCE:  the SuperEnzymes and the Feline Comfort were the items  I was guided to by Steve at Vitality Science who took my phone call.  After describing my boy's symptoms he told me exactly what to purchase and how to begin.   My boy is 13 now and his sibling sister both had issues with vomiting and since beginning these products to heal and rebalance the "gut" which is where all the health issues begin it has been worth their weight in GOLD.  My boy has not had any vomiting episodes going on 4 months, and he was vomiting at least every other day and really beginning to worry me.  He would not eat for a whole day because of the upset stomach from trying to vomit, and then would become terribly constipated with the irregular eating pattern.  But, VITALITY SCIENCE products have rebalanced him and he has no trouble from either end to date...what an absolute relief to see my boy just feeling better!  Please try these products even if your kitty is healthy they will help keep them healthy and eating....my girl was hardly eating at all until I slowly began these products into her wet food and they help her tremendously as well. 

As for the BioPreparation F3 which is the product recommended for my kitties from Optimum Choices per "Russell Louie" who sells the products...is also great in conjunction with the above products from VITALITY SCIENCE.  I only give BioPreparation in small doses to my kitties, but once the tummies are in balance adding this slowly is a great way to supplement especially if your kitties are little eaters like my girl.  I can at least get  a few ounces of wet food into her knowing that she is getting whole food supplementation along with her kibble which she will not give up.  You must be very mindful not to give animals the BioSuperfood  product which is NOT recommended and too strong for kitties digestive tract.  You must use the BioPreparation  formula.  I hope some of this information has been helpful to those looking for a way to help kitties with IBD and other tummy or hairball issues.  Good Luck!

Hi A alidawg88
may I ask if the microalgae is still helping yr kitty with IBD?
Thank you

alidawg88 said:

Just to share experience with those who have kitties with IBD and either are borderline for pancreatitis or those whose kitties have this terrible illness as was my Benjamen's diagnosis last summer after a bacterial UTI. I was shattered with this information. I started out looking for a healthier diet as the dry food was not the best option for his condition. His UTI eventually cleared on antibiotics.....it took several months. A dear friend told me to add Slippery Elm powder that I purchased from a nature food store in bulk....the lesser expensive route (buy as much as you need to try out at first) and far better quality. I also added "pure" d-mannose along with a pro-biotic to help replace good flora destroyed by antibiotics. This worked like a charm to help keep any re-infection from happening on the UTI end, but a few months after recovering my poor boy was struck with worsening to severe vomiting of his food, hair, bile, and blood from the horrible wretching to get up hairballs along with terrible constipation.

I once again took to the internet and found a company referred to on the Cat Site by Dr. H called VITALITY SCIENCE and also mentioned was Optimum Choices for the BioPreparation for pets, but I will comment on that later. If anyone out there has a kitty who has problems with hairballs/stomach issues/IBD/pancreatitis let me tell you absolutely without a doubt you must begin these products from VITALITY SCIENCE: the SuperEnzymes and the Feline Comfort were the items I was guided to by Steve at Vitality Science who took my phone call. After describing my boy's symptoms he told me exactly what to purchase and how to begin. My boy is 13 now and his sibling sister both had issues with vomiting and since beginning these products to heal and rebalance the "gut" which is where all the health issues begin it has been worth their weight in GOLD. My boy has not had any vomiting episodes going on 4 months, and he was vomiting at least every other day and really beginning to worry me. He would not eat for a whole day because of the upset stomach from trying to vomit, and then would become terribly constipated with the irregular eating pattern. But, VITALITY SCIENCE products have rebalanced him and he has no trouble from either end to date...what an absolute relief to see my boy just feeling better! Please try these products even if your kitty is healthy they will help keep them healthy and eating....my girl was hardly eating at all until I slowly began these products into her wet food and they help her tremendously as well.

As for the BioPreparation F3 which is the product recommended for my kitties from Optimum Choices per "Russell Louie" who sells the products...is also great in conjunction with the above products from VITALITY SCIENCE. I only give BioPreparation in small doses to my kitties, but once the tummies are in balance adding this slowly is a great way to supplement especially if your kitties are little eaters like my girl. I can at least get a few ounces of wet food into her knowing that she is getting whole food supplementation along with her kibble which she will not give up. You must be very mindful not to give animals the BioSuperfood product which is NOT recommended and too strong for kitties digestive tract. You must use the BioPreparation formula. I hope some of this information has been helpful to those looking for a way to help kitties with IBD and other tummy or hairball issues. Good Luck!

Click to expand...