Diarrhea...from probiotic?

This probably should go into the Cat Health forum but I wanted to get advice from the raw feeders who use probiotics.

Both of my cats have, not diarrhea, but wet stool that looks like it will be diarrhea in a day or so. Sorry for the graphic detail. The only change to the diet was on Thursday or Friday I stopped giving 1/2 Nexabiotic twice a day and am now giving the Natural Factors (Acid & Bifid) 10 billion CFU once a day to each cat.

Do you think it is possible that I'm giving too much probiotic at one time? Should I start splitting the Natural Factor capsule into 2 doses per day? Or do you think I should just overnight another bottle of the Nexabiotic and go back to that?

Or do you think this is not the probiotic at all and they could possibly be sick? No other changes to their diet or litter recently. I was going to introduce a little bit of Rabbit from Hare Today with their dinner tonight but I think I am going to hold off on that until poop is back to normal.

l don't use a probiotic, sorry, l'm no use to you there.

l do feed raw, and recently ran across this lecture on the relationship of stool to gut flora (specifically in cats!! How exciting):


And then further researched to see what they're up to.

Here is a page on their findings so far:

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/vetscience...romthebristolcatsstudy/faecalsamplestudy.html

The Natural Factors is basically acidophilus, bifidus, and rhamnosus.

The Nexabiotic contains all of those and other strains of lactobaccillus and bifidobacterium, and importantly, S boulardii.

It seems they do better with the ingredients in the Nexabiotic. I suspect the difference is the S boulardii.

Andrya, thanks for posting! There have been various studies examining the microflora in cats. There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. But it's so encouraging the research continues!

Abby,

I currently use probiotic but one called "Benebac Plus" in a 1 lb tub. Since getting my kittens, there's always some kind of tummy trouble but especially when my cats are on any antibiotics. I've been feeding my "G" canned food (with the probiotics mixed in with some warm water) and then mixing the ground raw with it. When he converts over to 100% raw, I'm don't think probiotics will be needed anymore. 

I've also used raw goat's milk in the past with raw food, because I believed they could benefit from extra moisture and my two kitties both looove it. It's also quite high in calories, so unless your kitty is on the thinner side or is continuing to grow, I'd reserve it only as a treat. Raw goat's milk is easily digested, contains enzymes, probiotics, minerals, electrolytes, and is also said to be anti-inflamatory. It's sold in my small, neighborhood pet store, not big box stores, and comes in frozen.

Is this the Natural Factors you are using? http://naturalfactors.com/caen/products/detail/2879/acidophilus-and-bifidus-

If so, it is in a lactose base (see "non-medicinal ingredients" at the bottom of the page).

Nexabiotic is not in a lactose base. http://nexabiotic.com/ingredients/

Perhaps they are reacting to the lactose?   

Thanks everyone for weighing in! 

LDG, I think you are right and I did order some more Nexabiotic because they just did so well with that one. I haven't given the Natural Factors since yesterday morning. Malibu had watery stool a few times yesterday evening and Kali definitely had diarrhea last night and cow patty poop this morning. It may very well be the Goat Milk that they are reacting to, like Go Holistic mentioned.

I'm hoping that they are feeling better tonight and no more watery stool! Will not give them any probiotics until the Nexabiotic comes in. 

Andrya, that was an interesting video, thanks for sharing!

EmandJee, you're probably talking about the Answer's Goat Milk, right? I looked into that but they don't sell it locally here, I would have to have it overnighted and I just haven't done it yet. But I'm glad your kitties love it, I have wanted to try that for a while. 

I have two cats on this Bristol Cat study, we are asked to fill in regular questionnaires, our vets have to send body condition and teeth condition reports and we were asked for faecal samples. It's great to get these lectures and feed back regarding their research, our two are both raw fed and whole prey only so it was fascinating to see the results.