Probiotic Choices

[Pigglywink's Rachel]

Not sure if this is the right place for this thread, so if not, could a mod transfer it to wherever it belongs? Thanks.

I'm getting ready to venture into the world of guinea pigs again, as some of you already know, and am preparing an emergency kit to have ready, in the hopes that I'll never need it. I've found a site that will ship to Canada (still haven't been able to find any of these products in Canada), and was wondering if someone could advise me about which of these two products is better, for a probiotic:

http://www.protexin.com/vet/product.php?id=21

or:

http://www.protexin.com/vet/product.php?id=12

I'm leaning towards the Bio-Lapis, but wanted some input before making my decision, as it's going to be quite expensive to import these. I'll also be ordering some Critical Care to have handy in case it's needed, and some VetBed, which is about 1/4 of the cost as it is over here.

If someone could get back to me soon, I'd like to order these within the next couple weeks, so that I'll have them before the arrival of any new guinea pigs.

Thanks,
Rachel

 

[sophiew (EAGPR)]

Morning

Both of the links seem to go to the same thing - Protexin - which I haven't ever tried.

I think you need a pro-biotic to restore normal gut bacteria when they're on antibiotics - I have used BioLapis, it is expensive but good. I also have AviPro which I don't like as much, not sure why - in a big pot, which was cheaper.

You then need, like you say, Critical Care or Science Recovery both of which are complete foods that can be syringed fed and ideal for poorly or recuperating animals.

Sophie
x

 

[Pigglywink's Rachel]

Turns out that Bio-Lapis is made by Protexin... pharm company, just two different products. One is a paste, and one is a powder, but Bio-Lapis also cotains enzymes, whereas the paste contains added fiber. Other than that, they both say that they contain prebiotics and probiotics to restore healthy gut function following surgery or illness in rabbits and other small animals.

 

[MemberY]

I actually keep both of these. Bio lapis can be made up and kept in the fridge but needs to be syringed as I am sure you know. I tend to use this for guineas on ABs, The fibreplex paste came in useful for Georgie post op as although he was eating, he wasn't pooing so I could give him the fibreplax quickly while still in his cage as he wasn't being syringe fed.

In your case, shelf life of the product would be important, as you cannot get it quickly when needed. Email the company and ask for the use by dates, if possible ask for the longer shelf life products. I had a packet of CC for about 9 months, went to use it and it had gone way past the use by date

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Bene-bac is a good one for those in the US, and I think I know some Canadians who have also used it:

http://www.jefferspet.com/product/benebac8482-large-mammals-23476.cfm

The gel (syringe) is the one a friend sends me and I find it really great, you just pop a dab of gel into their mouth and it's as easy as that. Much easier than powders in my experience. If you can get hold of Bene-bac, it is a good one to have to hand.

Critical Care can be stored in a freezer to extend its shelf life, just put in the freeezer as it is. Some people do like to add Vit. C to it if it is past it's expiration date, but freezing it is worth doing if you don't know if/when it will be used.

 

[Pigglywink's Rachel]

Thanks for the tip about the freezer... I never would have thought of that, and was worrying about how often I would need to replace it, but I learned my lesson after what happened to poor little Piggly, and want to make sure I do better as guinea pug mum this time around. And I'll look into that Bene-bac as well, see what it is and if it's available to be shipped into Canada.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Jefferspet ships to Canada, so if you look around at different sites I'm sure there may be somewhere cheaper who also ship to Canada. I would choose Bene-bac over UK probiotics any time, I find it so much easier to use.

You did all you could for Piggly, you were as good a mum as you could be. Sometimes it's what we learn through the illness and loss of our first piggies that make us develop and progress as piggie parents. I regret things I did/did not do with Charlie, the same with Lottie and with Tuppy. I could have done things better in each case, but there have been fewer regrets with each loss.
As hard and unfair as it is, sometimes it takes losing them to realise what you could have done different, and you can learn so much from that. I have learnt as much through the loss of my three as I did when they were alive. What matters is that you do your best at that time.

 

[Pigglywink's Rachel]

Was browsing around for the Bene-bac tonight, and it made me wonder. Besides being on antibiotics, what other reasons would one have for giving a guinea pig probiotics? Is it something that should be given to them periodically as a preventative?

 

[Laura-CCC4]

If the pig generally has an upset tummy - maybe softer poop than normal - that would be good grounds for giving probiotics. Only if something is affecting the tummy, or if something may be expected to upset the tummy (perhaps if he eats a lot of a new food, or has just started eating grass) then it would also be acceptable to give probiotic.