Probiotics: what are they & why are they needed?

[chrisandpiggers]

Hello, I hope you are all having a pleasant day!
At the moment two of my boars are on the antibiotic, Baytril, to treat a URI. They have been prescribed 4 mils per day for three weeks.
I've only recently heard on the forums here about giving pigs probiotics when they are taking antibiotics.
My vet didn't mention anything about probiotics. Is it crucial for them to be given probiotics or is it just generally recommended. And what exactly do these probiotics do?
Thank you!

[Paula]

Antibiotics upset the gut by disrupting/destroying the healthy gut flora - which for a dog or cat might cause some diarrhea or vomiting, or general malaise. For a guinea pig, it can also cause them to stop eating, and without food moving through their gut nearly constantly, it can shut down, which can be fatal. Short answer is that, yes, probiotics are crucial and you need to give them about 45 minutes to an hour before giving the antibiotic. Some suggest giving it after, but I've always given it before because it's what my vet advises.

Here's some more info on probiotics from GL.

[chrisandpiggers]

Thanks for info and the link.
Is dissolving a dropping in water the best way to administer the probiotics to GPs? Is this what you recommend?

[ameyjaney]

Guinea pigs don't tend to drink much so I would think that the best way would be to adminster directly to ensure the piggy would be getting the probiotic.

[Fredo_and_co]

Following on from this... is probiotics only necessary to stop them eating, I have been adminstering probiotics, but it's proving difficult and my piggy decided it wasn't eating as a result.

She is eating fine without and I'm trying to work out what is best for her, she is eating like a horse without the probiotic, when I put it on her veg she refused to eat it, and as she doesn't drink water ever really. I'm stuck as what to do.

I did try syringing but she became destressed, any ideas?

[chrisandpiggers]

@ameyjaney Thanks for the advice! I meant to write if dissolving half a droppping in some water and then popping it into a syringe was best.

@fredo_and_co This is the same for me. The pigs are into their second week of Baytril without a pribiotic and are eating very well. What type of pribiotic are you using?

Thanks!