PubMed Abstract PMID: 12903867
Full title: The effect of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium product in diets of healthy dogs on bacteriological counts of Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. in faeces
This abstract also posted in the files section of the K9Kitchen discussion group.

Monica's Comments
Not all probiotics are healthy. This study found the probiotic E. faecium (also known as Enteroferm) increased the levels of salmonella and campylobacter in healthy dogs – definately a bad thing. Unfortunately, many probiotics actually use this bacteria, so read the label and don't use anything that contains E. faecium.

Originally published in Archiv fur Tierernahrung, June 2003.

The Abstract
An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of a probiotic on selected faecal bacteria of healthy dogs under different feed and environmental conditions. For the study 12 dogs kept in households were used for an 18-day supplementation with a patented commercially available strain of E. faecium NCIB 10415 (Enteroferm). In order to minimize losses the probiotic product was orally applicated once a day before meals at a dose of 2 g per dog (9.2 x 10(9) CFU). The faeces were collected before the beginning of the supplementation and at the end of the 18-day application period. In order to exclude contamination, all faeces were taken rectally. Before and at the end of the experimental period total Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. counts were determined in fresh faeces using selective media. It was demonstrated that the 18-day application of the probiotic E. faecium product induced modifications on the gastrointestinal microflora in all dogs. While Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. counts were in majority of the dogs higher than before the application. Clostridium spp. counts were significantly reduced in 10 of 12 dogs. According to the guidelines for the evaluation of the efficiency of microorganisms in dogs a relevant efficacy effect was supported by this data. However, a beneficial effect of the probiotic product on healthy dogs remains questionable.

Study Authors
Vahjen W, Manner K.; Institute of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University Berlin, Germany

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