Probiotics for Pets

Probitics foods and supplements appear to improve health the health of humans; there is good evidence to suggest that some animal may benefit in the same way.

In the 1960s, researchers coined the term probiotic, which means "for life" in Greek. Today, probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms that when given in adequate amounts, improve the microbial balance of the host's intestines."

The stomach and intestines of all mammals are lined with specialized tissues that together represent the largest immune organ in the body. Hundreds of types of bacteria normally occupy the digestive system and assist in maintaining the quality and function of its inner membranes, known as GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue). This lining provides protection from foreign
bacteria and viruses.

Good bacteria are essential to the health of the gut. These microbes are thought to exclude disease-causing bacteria by directly competing with them for nutrients and space in the intestinal system. When the gut is dysfunctional or out of balance, the immune system cannot do its job properly and illness can result.

A large study in Denmark using probiotics in children in day care centers revealed that probiotics reduced the incidence of diarrhea. But, more surprisingly, researchers found that the kids who received probiotics also had much lower rates of upper respiratory infections, such as colds and flu. This suggests that the probiotics not only boosted the health of the gastrointestinal system, but strengthened the entire immune system, protecting the children from getting other types of illnesses.

In addition, some debilitating conditions, including Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome, are alleviated with the use of probiotics in humans.

Pets suffering similar conditions are likely to benefit from using probiotics as well and products designed specifically for pets are available on the market. But keep in mind that the bacterial strains that are native to each species of animal differ, and one that is beneficial for dogs might not be safe for people and vice versa. Follow the advice of their veterinarian and make sure to use a product that is intended for the specific type of pet,
whether horse, rabbit, dog, cat, or other.

Although large-scale studies have yet to be conducted in animals to confirm the efficacy of probiotics, the Association for American Feed Control Officials and the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine have established basic classification and labeling requirements for pet animal probiotics. Consequently, probiotics that are designed and labeled for pets should be safe to use and may have a positive effect on their health.

Source:
Dr. Maureen McMichael, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

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Fermented Soybean Meal Boosts Pigs' Phosphorous

Fermented soybean meal helps pigs digest the phosphorous in the meal better than conventional soybean meal, University of Illinois researchers have discovered.

The fermented meal is considered a promising substitute for fish meal in weanling pig diets because of its protein content, lower cost, and lack of anti-nutritional factors.

"Most of the phosphorus in soybean meal is bound to phytate, so it's not available to pigs,” explained animal sciences professor Hans Stein. "Fermentation releases phosphorus from the phytate molecule."

Previous research by Stein’s group found that pigs digest the phosphorous in fermented corn more easily than that in non-fermented corn.

"If swine producers use fermented soybean meal without phytase, they can use a greater digestibility value for phosphorus than if they use conventional soybean meal. Therefore, they need less supplemental phosphorus from other  sources in the diets to meet the pig’s requirements.”

Source:
Hans Stein 217.333.0013

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Livestock Identification

A new federal livestock identification program, which went into effect March 11, requires dairy cows and sexually intact beef cattle over 18 months of age to be registered when they are shipped across state lines.

The regulations will help agriculture officials track livestock in cases of disease outbreaks, allowing epidemiological investigators to quickly learn from which farm a suspect animal originated.

In most cases, farmers and ranchers will use ear tags that assign a number to each animal. But, in some cases, tattoos and old-fashioned brand marks are acceptable forms of animal identification. The new program gives states flexibility in deciding how animals will be identified -- an important concession to cattle ranchers in Western states, where brands are still commonly used.

Many livestock producers have been affixing identification to their animals to keep track of medical treatments such as tuberculosis vaccinations, medications and feed requirements.

While the new federal program covers a range of livestock, much of the focus has been on cattle because aggressive programs to fight diseases in other species, such as sheep scabies, have already resulted in widespread identification of those animals.

Source:
John Comerford, associate professor of animal science, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences

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Feed More Forage

Don't take hay for granted. A leading feed supplier and equine nutritionist, Marlin Statema, says it could be the most critical element in your animal's diet.
       
"Forage is the most important part of the horse's diet. That's because the horse evolved as a grazer. It has a very small stomach and can't take in a lot of feed at one time," says Statema, president of LMF Feeds in Deer Park, Washington.
       
Despite the fact that his company specializes  in grain feeds, Statema encourages horse owners to make forage -- not grains -- the main part of their animals' diets.

Continued at... Feed More Forage

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Flaxseed Diet Makes Better Milk

Dairy cows fed flaxseed produce more nutritious milk, according to research at Oregon State University.

Diets high in saturated fat can increase cholesterol and cause heart disease, while those rich in omega-3 and other polyunsaturated fatty acids may reduce the risk of heart disease, studies have shown.

Traditional cattle feed mixtures of corn, grains, alfalfa hay and grass silage result in dairy products with low concentrations of omega-3 and other polyunsaturated fats.

In the OSU study, ten pregnant cows were fed different amounts of flaxseed – up to seven percent of their daily diet. Their resulting milk contained more omega-3 fatty acids and less saturated fat.

Feeding the cows up to six pounds of extruded flaxseed improved the fat profile without negatively affecting the production and texture of the milk and other dairy products.

At six pounds per day, saturated fatty acids in whole milk fat dropped 18 percent, poly-unsaturated fatty acids increased 82 percent, and omega-3 levels rose 70 percent compared to feeding no flaxseed. Similar improvements were observed in butter and cheese.

Still, saturated fat accounted for more than half of the fatty acids in the dairy products while the increase in polyunsaturated fats compromised no more than nearly nine percent of the total.

Although flaxseed costs more than traditional cattle feeds, the lead scientist on the study, Gerd Bobe, believes it could be an affordable feed supplement for cows because products enriched with omega-3 can sell for a premium at the grocer.

"Many consumers already show a willingness to pay extra for value-added foods, like omega-3 enriched milk," he noted.

Source: Oregon State University Extension Service

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Husbandry How To: A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color

Learn why your problem horse is not a lost cause with helpful tips from an
internationally acclaimed trainer.

In A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color, Mark Rashid shares his talent for training horses through communication rather than force. Rashid uses humorous, feel-good stories to relate his techniques of teaching horses by examining their view of the world.

A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color

Tales of Training through Communication and Trust

Second Edition, Revised and Updated

by Mark Rashid

Skyhorse Publishing, 2011

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Husbandry: Insufficient Nutrients in Winter Forage

A summer of excessive moisture and good grass growth followed by record high temperatures and record low precipitation this winter has provided many northern Plains cattle producers with the opportunity to extend their grazing season well beyond normal.

“Although producers currently grazing are most likely saving money by not dipping into harvested or purchased hay reserves, cow stage of gestation and coincident nutrient requirements must be considered to determine whether cows are getting the nutrients they need from midwinter grasses,” says Carl Dahlen, a North Dakota State University Extension Service beef cattle specialist.

These cows’ nutrient requirements are changing as the animals progress into the third trimester of pregnancy. Depending on their calving season, many of the cattle on pastures are experiencing this requirement increase.

However, the protein of forages standing at this point is very low (probably no more than 4 to 5 percent). Cows during the third trimester should be eating feed with around 8 percent protein, Dahlen says.

In addition to protein percentage, producers need to keep in mind the physical form of the standing forage.

“As we progress into winter, the pasture grasses are more susceptible to being knocked over by cattle or weighted down by snow and wind,” Dahlen says. “Add this to the fact that winter grasses are less palatable compared with earlier in the year, and it becomes difficult for cattle to consume the amount of forage they need.”

The mineral and vitamin content of standing forages likely is below requirements as well. Minerals at this stage largely are needed to develop a calf’s immune system through nutrients circulating through the cow and from nutrients that will be available for colostrum and milk production once the calf is born. Not having proper minerals now could be a big issue for calf health in a few months.

Not meeting cattle’s nutrient requirements also can affect fetal programming, although the impact is not necessarily seen immediately, according to Dahlen.

Rick Funston, Extension beef reproductive physiologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has conducted considerable research on the impact of protein supplementation during late gestation on the health and performance of the offspring. Funston found that calves born from cows that were fed supplements during late gestation had better growth rates, a greater percentage of heifers became pregnant during their first breeding season, and calves put into feedlots had greater feedlot performance.

“We’re talking lifetime productivity, and it is not something that can be seen in the cows today but can have big impacts on herds into the future,” Dahlen says.

He recommends producers who have cattle in late gestation provide their cattle with some type of protein and energy supplementation, such as lick tubs, range cubes or distillers grains. Free-choice alfalfa hay delivered to cows in addition to grazing also will provide additional protein.

“Also monitor cow body condition very closely and ensure the proper delivery of vitamin/mineral supplements to cows,” he advises. “Pre-calving losses in body condition set cows up for issues after calving. Metabolic conditions, retained placenta and delayed rebreeding are things that I would be concerned with if cows came through the summer on great grass but then lost a lot of condition just prior to calving.”

Source: Carl Dahlen, (701) 231-5588

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