Acidophilus can be used as a natural yeast infection treatment to help restore the balance of healthy and unhealthy bacteria in your dog’s digestive system. Take a few moments to review the benefits of acidophilus and how you can administer it to your dog, as well as the situations in which acidophilus could help your dog feel better.
How Acidophilus Can Help Your Dog
Acidophilus is a probiotic, which mean it is one of the beneficial bacteria that are normally found in a dog’s digestive system. The word probiotic can be translated as “for life,” and the beneficial bacteria that make up this class of organisms are those that help keep your dog (and you) healthy.
Acidophilus was first discovered in 1908 by a scientist at the Pasteur Institute in France who was studying fermented dairy products. It is one of about 20 probiotic bacteria that have been identified by scientists.
Acidophilus supplements are often recommended after a lengthy course of antibiotic treatment since antibiotics (which can be literally translated as “against life”) can kill beneficial bacteria as well as harmful ones.
Under normal conditions, acidophilus helps control yeast levels, as well as levels of harmful bacteria, in your dog’s system. When the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria is upset, steps need to be taken to re-establish normal gut flora, which is another way of describing normal intestinal bacteria. When harmful bacteria outnumber the beneficial ones, your dog’s health can suffer, so it’s important to maintain this vital balance.
When Your Dog Might Need Acidophilus
One of the most important uses of acidophilus is as part of an overall treatment plan to clear up a canine yeast infection. Canine yeast infections can cause a variety of symptoms, including skin problems, intestinal upset and secondary bacterial infections of the ears or urinary tract. Other symptoms of yeast infections can include lethargy, stiff joints and fatigue.
Acidophilus supplements may also help dogs that are chronically ill, have recently taken a lengthy course of antibiotics or are under stress. They have also shown some benefit in improving overall digestive health, maintaining dogs’ coats, relieving pain in arthritic dogs and boosting the canine immune system.
In addition to re-establishing normal intestinal bacteria, acidophilus supplements can help control issues relating to an overabundance of gas in your dog’s intestines, including flatulence and bad breath.
How to Administer Acidophilus to Your Dog
Acidophilus supplements are available in liquid, powder or pill form. Your veterinarian can prescribe them, or you may be able to find them at your local pet supply store or natural food store.
If you don’t have access to acidophilus supplements, you can give your dog plain yogurt, especially those that have “active cultures.” Mix a tablespoon of yogurt with your dog’s food, or give him a 10 ml acidophilus pill, to help restore his intestinal balance.
Discuss the length of time your dog should receive his acidophilus supplements with your veterinarian to ensure the probiotics are doing what they are supposed to to help restore your dog's health.
When Acidophilus Supplements Are Not Recommended
Despite its benefits, acidophilus is not intended to be used as a daily supplement. In addition to its usage to help clear up yeast infections, it may also be useful in preventing stress-related digestive problems. Follow dosing and usage instructions from your veterinarian carefully.