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  Discussion on Support for the use of Saccharomyces boulardii in colitis
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Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 4, 2005 - 12:46 pm:

There is a growing body of evidence that certain live culture probiotic preparations lessen the severity of colitis, particularly that caused by Clostridia. There are many products currently on the market and it is likely many are not effective. The yeast organism S. boulardii given as a live lypholized oral treatment significantly improved the clinical signs and shortened the duration on acute colitis of unknown causes. For more information on probiotics, S. boulardii, dosages, and other information see the article, Care for Horses » Nutrition » Probiotics and Yeast Culture Products.
DrO

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005 Sep 15;227(6):954-9.
Efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii for treatment of horses with acute enterocolitis.
Desrochers AM, Dolente BA, Roy MF, Boston R, Carlisle S.

Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center campus, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square PA 19348, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the viability of Saccharomyces boulardii after PO administration in clinically normal horses and its efficacy as a treatment for horses with acute enterocolitis. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 5 clinically normal horses and 14 horses with acute enterocolitis. PROCEDURE: Feces were collected from 5 clinically normal horses and submitted for microbial culture for 2 days prior to administration of a lyophilized form of S. boulardii. Feces were collected for microbial culture 5 and 10 days after treament initiation and 10 days after treatment was discontinued. Fourteen horses with acute enterocolitis were randomly allocated to receive a placebo or S. boulardii. RESULTS: S. boulardii was not detected in feces of clinically normal horses. After administration, yeast survived within the gastroinestinal tract but did not permanently colonize it. In horses with acute enterocolitis, the severity and duration of gastrointestinal tract disease during hospitalization were significantly decreased in horses receiving S. boulardii, compared with horses receiving the placebo. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of S. boulardii may help decrease the severity and duration of clinical signs in horses with acute enterocolitis.
Member:
Jgordo03

Posted on Sunday, Oct 9, 2005 - 4:21 pm:

Dr O,
I've been looking for Saccharomyces boulardii in all the Enzymes formulas and probios I know of and I can't seem to find it in any. Can you suggest anything or guide me to a website that I could find it? My best friends 30 year old TB almost died from acute enterocolitis last spring and I would like to purchase it for her.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Sunday, Oct 9, 2005 - 4:45 pm:

Judith,

I did some research and it appears the S. Boulardii is a relative of S. Cervisiae. The S. Cerevisiae is one of the reasons the FASTRACK works well on horses with loose/diarrhea stools.


On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 9:16 am:

Perhaps Ann but these are different species of yeast organisms and just because they are in the same genus does not mean that they will have the same properties. It should also be noted that some forms of chronic human colitis are associated with antibodies formed to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and one theory is the disease is being caused by the body trying to fight off this organism. Also I cannot find any scientific studies that back up the claim that probiotics are effective with undiagnosed (non-infectious) diarrhea or stools.

When I was researching the Saccharomyces boulardii, I found it on line for sale in human health food stores as a live yeast probiotic, you might check there.
DrO
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