Is Pro C Probiotic Okay For Pigs To Drink Everyday?

[Lily & Rose]

Since April, I have been giving Lily Pro C Probiotic everyday. I started syringe feeding it to her when she was on antibiotics. Then she had cystitis, so I wanted to make sure she was drinking a lot, so I carried on syringe feeding it to her. Before I started with the Pro C, I have never known Lily to drink out of her bottle. Lily soon became very addicted to Pro C and would squeak whenever she could hear me getting the drink ready. She was drinking 1 scoop in 200ml everyday, until recently, in which I have managed to reduce it to half a scoop in 100ml. I was wondering whether it is okay for Lily to carry on having the Pro C Probiotic everyday? She is prone to cystitis, which she seems to get from stress (usually after going to the vets), so I do like to encourage her to drink. Thanks.

 

[chesca_27]

It isn't recommended to put the Pro-C in their water bottle as it does change the amount of water they would normally consume. I sprinkle it over fresh veggies daily, according to package instructions. That way it doesn't impact water consumption.

If they do need to be syringe fed water, then I sprinkle the tiniest amount in because if the pig is ill enough to need water via a syringe, then they probably need as much extra Pro-C as possible.

I also mix it in when I feed soaked pellets, as the pellets can absorb it that way, but this is only ever as a treat or for when a piggy is sick.

 

[Lily & Rose]

It isn't recommended to put the Pro-C in their water bottle as it does change the amount of water they would normally consume. I sprinkle it over fresh veggies daily, according to package instructions. That way it doesn't impact water consumption.

If they do need to be syringe fed water, then I sprinkle the tiniest amount in because if the pig is ill enough to need water via a syringe, then they probably need as much extra Pro-C as possible.

I also mix it in when I feed soaked pellets, as the pellets can absorb it that way, but this is only ever as a treat or for when a piggy is sick.

Thank you for your message. I only ever syringe feed her the Pro-C as she won't drink it out of her bottle. She also won't drink water out of her bottle either. I have tried glass bottles as well as plastic ones. I usually syringe feed her 100ml of Pro-C throughout the day and in the evening I syringe feed her water. Although, she won't drink much of that - she pulls a funny face then runs away.

I don't put the Pro-C on her vegetables, as I'm only really using it to increase her fluid intake, as she seems to be prone to bladder problems. I also give her an Oxbow Urinary Support tablet each day, but I'm not sure how effective it is.

I keep wanting to stop giving her the Pro-C, but something always happens, like a few weeks ago her sister died, so I felt I couldn't stop it then. I've noticed her tummy has been rumbling a bit for the past few days, so I was worried that it might be the Pro-C causing that. I think I will try reducing the amount I give her each day and try and train her to drink water out of her bottle.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your message. I only ever syringe feed her the Pro-C as she won't drink it out of her bottle. She also won't drink water out of her bottle either. I have tried glass bottles as well as plastic ones. I usually syringe feed her 100ml of Pro-C throughout the day and in the evening I syringe feed her water. Although, she won't drink much of that - she pulls a funny face then runs away.

I don't put the Pro-C on her vegetables, as I'm only really using it to increase her fluid intake, as she seems to be prone to bladder problems. I also give her an Oxbow Urinary Support tablet each day, but I'm not sure how effective it is.

I keep wanting to stop giving her the Pro-C, but something always happens, like a few weeks ago her sister died, so I felt I couldn't stop it then. I've noticed her tummy has been rumbling a bit for the past few days, so I was worried that it might be the Pro-C causing that. I think I will try reducing the amount I give her each day and try and train her to drink water out of her bottle.

If your girl has got urinary tract issues and is drinking more with probiotics in the water, then please continue with a small dosage. Make sure that you change the water once or twice daily though, especially in summer, as additives promote the growth of algae. When you are faced with an acute bout of cystitis, please give an extra pinch on her veg 1-2 hours after you give the antibiotic.

If you are faced with regular bouts of cystitis, then it is worth discussing interstitial cystitis (IC) with your vet.

 

[Lily & Rose]

If your girl has got urinary tract issues and is drinking more with probiotics in the water, then please continue with a small dosage. Make sure that you change the water once or twice daily though, especially in summer, as additives promote the growth of algae. When you are faced with an acute bout of cystitis, please give an extra pinch on her veg 1-2 hours after you give the antibiotic.

If you are faced with regular bouts of cystitis, then it is worth discussing interstitial cystitis (IC) with your vet.

Thank you Wiebke. The vet has never prescribed an antibiotic for Lily's cystitis, she only gave me Loxicom for her. I mentioned Septrin to her, but she didn't think it was necessary. Lily seems to be fine at the moment, but I have ordered some urine test strips, so that I can check for blood.