Question on SEB

Hello - here I am with yet another question

I recently ordered some Slippery elm bark from iHerb (Now brand, capsules of 400mg), and from what I have read here on TCS, I dilute it in a bit of water.

But it doesn't seem to thicken at all - is that the way it should be? (the box was unopened and is well within the use by date)

If that is the way it should be, can I just sprinkle a bit on my cat's raw ground meal? (he has a bit of diarrhea at the moment after a round of antibiotics - he is on probiotics as well).

As always, merci beaucoup from France 

Silkcatseyes said:

 
Hello - here I am with yet another question

I recently ordered some Slippery elm bark from iHerb (Now brand, capsules of 400mg), and from what I have read here on TCS, I dilute it in a bit of water.

But it doesn't seem to thicken at all - is that the way it should be? (the box was unopened and is well within the use by date)

If that is the way it should be, can I just sprinkle a bit on my cat's raw ground meal? (he has a bit of diarrhea at the moment after a round of antibiotics - he is on probiotics as well).

As always, merci beaucoup from France 

Click to expand...

Bonjour! Yes, I know what you are speaking of. I purchase and use the capsule form of SEB (it comes in bulk powder as well) on my kitties.

When you just add water to SEB powder, it doesn't thicken. Its when you use the cooking method of making SEB syrup that its supposed to thicken. Rather than sprinkle the SEB onto the food, it is better to empty the contents of a capsule into a little dish and add about a tablespoon of water. (Like any form of fibre, you should always give with water) Give this a good stir until the powder and water are blended and then add a couple of teaspoons of this mixture to wet food and mix again.

Hope this helps. Good luck! ...

I bought the NOW SEB powder, not the capsule. I soaked 1/16th tsp in 1tbs of warm water, it gels up easily, but it takes approx 5mins to gel up though. Try warm water instead of room temp water.

However, if your kitty had been on antibiotics, I suggest giving probiotics instead.

@Silkcatseyes: Is your kitty still on the antibiotics? If yes, its important to give the SEB at a different time than the antibiotics as the SEB can interfere with the absorption of this. So antibiotics in the AM and the SEB in the afternoon should be fine. Good that you are giving a probiotic. This will help replenish good bacteria. 

Thank you very much, you're stars!

Azimut (aka Mister Piggy) is no longer on antibios (finished them last week) - he's on maintenance probiotics all the time and I'm now adding the SEB to help soothe his tummy.