Importance of Probiotics for Animals Probiotics are a microbial food supplement that can be beneficial to animals by improving their intestinal microbial balance. The probiotics help improve the feed conversion among animals by reducing morbidity or mortality and benefit the consumer through improved product quality. Studies have found that the combination of probiotics with different action mechanisms can also amplify the protective range of biotherapeutic preparations and these probiotics are more effective than the separate components. Probiotics are defined as “a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal balance”. A large volume of studies suggests that the use of probiotics can prevent or treat intestinal disorders. The best-studied probiotics is the lactic acid bacteria, known as Lactobacillus sp and Bifidobacterium sp. Probiotics have also been determined as viable microbial feed supplements believed to stimulate growth and health and beneficially modify the intestine’s ecology. Probiotics can have beneficial effects on the host animal due to improved intestinal microbial balance or the indigenous microflora. Many probiotics mechanisms enhance intestinal health, including stimulation of immunity, inhibition of epithelial and mucosal adherence, competition for limited nutrients, inhibition of epithelial invasion, and production of antimicrobial substances. Efficiency of probiotics on farm animals There are many varied claims made for probiotics, but it is impossible to provide good scientific evidence to support them. Potential beneficial effects of probiotics on farm animals can be:
Resistance against infectious diseases Improve feed conversion
Increase in growth rate Improve digestion Provision of essential nutrients Better absorption of nutrients Improve milk yield Improved milk quality Improved egg quality Increase in egg production. Improved carcass quality and less contamination
Since probiotics are being used as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters which can impact their performance of farm animals. Microorganisms as feed additives are required for significant effects on performance data. Probiotics are also available at any health food store or come in capsules, liquids, and live-culture yogurt. Animal Health Products can give an additional nutritional bump to your animal’s health. An active blend of herbs, enzymes, vitamins, probiotics, and nutrients can support proper digestion and bowel health and can maintain healthy gut flora and pH to support normal digestive function. Bacillus clausii is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, and sporeforming bacterium that lives in soil. It is also classified as a probiotic microorganism that can maintain a symbiotic relationship with the host. Bacillus clausii is used as a probiotic treatment to protect the animal gut from infection, chronic diarrhea, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, Helicobacter pylori therapy, and to treat infections. It has also been suggested that Bacillus clausii is effective for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome-related symptoms.