Feeding Yoghurt While On Antibiotics

[gila]

My dog is about a week into a three month course of antibiotics. Is there any point adding yoghurt to his diet now, or will the antibiotics just negate any positive effect? I changed him over to a raw diet two weeks ago.

[persephone]

AFAIK the AB's will kill off the good bacteria in teh yoghurt- may be best to use it when he's finished the course . Hope he is feeling much better afterwards :)

[gila]

Thanks Persephone. I hope so too! He's had a shocker of a year so far in terms of health. This current infection first occurred in January and was misdiagnosed for various reasons as a retrobulbar abscess. Three weeks of ABs seemed to clear it up. Then he was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis. Even though his symptoms weren't severe I opted for surgery because struggling to get a decent breath and exercise intolerance isn't what I consider good quality of life. All seemed great after the surgery. Until he started showing the same symptoms he had in January - pain upon opening his mouth. The specialist thought maybe it was a tooth root abscess, but then didn't find anything when she examined his mouth under sedation. An MRI showed he has a lesion/abscess at the back of his throat behind/under his right tonsil. So now he's on ABs for three months to make sure we kill all the bugs this time. Oh AND he got a yeast infection in his ear a few days ago when he's never had a problem with his ears before. Bloody dog sure has given my emotions and bank account a workout

[Erny]

I know that I was told "there's no point" once, but since heard and read that it was good and ok to feed pro-biotics and antibiotics simultaneously, and it is what I would do.

A quick google search to double check my memory, and this :

"Antibiotics are medications that destroy bacteria. Intended to treat bacterial infections, antibiotics are so effective in killing bacteria that they often wipe out healthy bacteria in the colon along with the harmful bacteria. Probiotics are fermented foods or dietary supplements that contain the healthy bacteria needed for optimal colon ecology. Probiotics are beneficial to both children and adults, especially during or following antibiotics treatment."

From :

Livestrong.com

Edited May 23, 2014 by Erny

[Salukifan]

Sounds to me like you should be feeding a few immune system boosters.

Consider adding Vitamin C and Manuka honey to the mix. In addition to probiotics, they may help.

[cavNrott]

My Cavaliers have 1/2 a probiotic capsule together with a heaped teaspoon of Jalna Biodynamic yoghurt every morning with their breakfast including on the rare occasions they've needed antibiotics.

[Yonjuro]

This is a great question and one I was wondering about a couple of days ago

[gila]

Thanks guys. Sounds like yoghurt/probiotics is worth feeding. I really want to try to keep his system balanced. I was thinking of adding manuka honey too HW. With the vitamin C, is there a specific powder or supplement I should look for?

[gila]

Hmm I've been doing a bit of reading and was considering using Protexin, but Penicillins are on the list of contraindications in the product description. Spence is on Noroclav which is amoxicillin, so looks like I can't use Protexin at the same time. If I just stick to yoghurt will it be enough? Also, his food (VAN complete mix) already contains vit c so I don't know if I should supplement with more. Ugh! So many questions

[Salukifan]

Thanks guys. Sounds like yoghurt/probiotics is worth feeding. I really want to try to keep his system balanced. I was thinking of adding manuka honey too HW. With the vitamin C, is there a specific powder or supplement I should look for?

Ester C is considered milder on the stomach than other Vitamin C powders.

[gila]

I bought a tub of natural yoghurt and a bottle of Blackmores intestinal health capsules today. I'm going to give him one capsule and a big dollop of yoghurt a day and see how he goes.