The term microbiota describes the collection of
microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal
(GI) tract. Its main function is to protect the
host from pathogenic bacteria.
A balanced intestinal ecosystem is important for
maintaining the health of the GI tract. The term ‘dysbiosis’
explains an imbalance of the microbiota, which
leads to disturbances in GI homeostasis.
Causes of Dysbiosis
Anything that affects the environment in the GI tract
can cause the development of dysbiosis. Common
examples are:
Antibiotics – kill both beneficial and pathogenic
bacteria that colonize the GI tract.
Gastrointestinal diseases – changes
in peristalsis, substrate or pH can
affect bacterial populations.
Stress – for example, staying in a hotel or traveling.
Cortisol causes an increase in intestinal pH,
which stimulates the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
Changes in diet or undesirable eating
behavior – sudden changes in diet or
eating waste.
Symptoms of dysbiosis
A severely disrupted balance in the microbiota
means that an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria
can occur, which are able to
trigger symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy, loss
of appetite and flatulence. Effective treatment
helps to minimize the effects of
microbiota imbalance.
How probiotics work
1 Through competitive exclusion,
probiotics help maintain
high levels of beneficial bacteria,
while pathogenic bacteria are
removed.
2 Probiotic bacteria produce
lactic acid, creating a low pH environment –
less favorable for pathogens such as
E. coli and Salmonella spp., which prefer
an alkaline environment.
3 Probiotic bacteria have
a proven beneficial effect on
the immune system – both on
innate and
acquired immunity.
Synbiotic D-C
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can
help restore normal
microbiota. They are particularly effective when
given together with prebiotics, a source of nutrients
that stimulate their growth.
Synbiotic D-C is a powerful combination of probiotics and
prebiotics, containing:
• Enterococcus faecium (NCIMB 10415) 4b1707 –
an EU-registered probiotic proven
to pass unharmed through the GI tract. Each capsule
contains 2x109 colony-forming units (CFU).
• Preplex® prebiotics – a combination of
fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and acacia (gum
arabic), which provide a nutritional source
for beneficial bacteria, thus stimulating
their survival in the GI tract.
For use in dogs and cats:
• Give one capsule daily for one month
• Capsules can be given whole or
opened and the contents sprinkled over
food
• Synbiotic D-C is available in boxes containing
50 capsules
