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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract / Probiotic Use in Equine Gastrointestinal Disease.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2018; 34(1); 13-24; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2017.11.004

Probiotic Use in Equine Gastrointestinal Disease.

Abstract: Probiotics are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine due to their postulated positive effects on overall and specifically gastrointestinal health. Although some beneficial effects have been shown in several human diseases, a general beneficial effect of probiotics is currently not supported. In horses, well-designed studies to date are few, results are conflicting, and the effects of probiotics are questionable. Adverse effects are rare; however, intestinal adverse effects (diarrhea) have been reported in foals. Quality control of over-the-counter probiotics is not tightly regulated, and labels often do not reflect the content.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2018-02-07 PubMed ID: 29402478DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2017.11.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study explores the use of probiotics in managing gastrointestinal disease in equines, acknowledging that results so far have been inconclusive. Despite few well-structured studies and adverse effects in foals, the larger medical community displays affable disposition towards probiotics due to perceived health benefits.

Probiotics and Health

  • The study acknowledges the common use of probiotics in human and veterinary medicine. These beneficial bacteria are believed to promote overall health and specifically improve gastrointestinal health.
  • Despite the general assumption of health benefits stemming from probiotics, the article finds that this is not universally supported. There is no universal beneficial effect that has been proven thus far, meaning that probiotics’ impact on health is more complex than previously understood.

Probiotics in Equine Health

  • Focusing on equines (horses), the researchers reveal that there have been few well-structured studies on the impacts of probiotics. Outcomes from the studies so far have been conflicting, casting doubt on the efficacy of probiotics in maintaining gut health in horses.
  • The study exposes the existence of adverse effects of probiotics on horses. Specifically, intestinal adverse reactions have been documented in foals, including diarrhea, which raises concerns about the general safety of administering probiotics to young horses.

Regulation and Quality Control Issues

  • The paper stresses the absence of tight regulation and quality control when it comes to over-the-counter probiotics; this is noteworthy because it creates potential risks in terms of dosage and purity.
  • It is evident that product labels often do not accurately portray the actual content of the probiotics. This could result in confusion or misguided use, potentially negating any health benefits or even causing adverse effects.

Cite This Article

APA
Schoster A. (2018). Probiotic Use in Equine Gastrointestinal Disease. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 34(1), 13-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2017.11.004

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 1
Pages: 13-24
PII: S0749-0739(17)30917-3

Researcher Affiliations

Schoster, Angelika
  • Vetsuisse Faculty, Equine Department, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich 8057, Switzerland. Electronic address: aschoster@vetclinics.uzh.ch.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use

Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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