Intestinal microflora in Dogs and Cats
The intestinal microflora is a complex ecosystem made up of a large population of various bacterial species, some of which live in the intestinal lumen while others adhere to the intestinal wall. The common characteristic of these bacterial populations is the lack of pathogenicity towards the host; they are actually necessary for protecting the host against other pathogenic bacteria.
GI tract colonization in dogs by bacterial microflora is a gradual process starting immediately after birth. The establishment of a progressive anaerobic condition in the GI tract induces a progressive change in the relative proportions of the individual bacterial species, with an expected prevalence of anaerobic species over the aerobic ones. This coincides with dietary changes and with the evolution of the host’s physiological processes. These changes are more marked in the large intestine. They can influence the growing subject’s nutritional status and its resistance to disease.
At birth, the pup’s GI tract is sterile and is immediately colonized, most likely in the birth canal itself and during exposure to the outside environment. Indeed, about 24 hours after birth the number of saprophytic bacteria in various portions of the GI tract is substantially similar to that found in adult dogs.
Such complex mixed microbial culture can be considered as the organ metabolically more easily adapted and more rapidly renewable in the entire organism. It plays a vital role in the host animal’s normal nutritional, physiologic, and immunologic functions.
The use of Florentero® in both healthy and sick pets assures an optimal colonization of beneficial bacteria of the GI tract.
