Evaluation of immunostimulant capacity and stability of thermo stable probiotic used in the diet of dogs

Abstract

The time of viability of a thermostable
probiótica (TR) in extruded and mealy formulations
for dog food and their imunoestimulant effects in
dogs were evaluated. A commercial, lyophilized,
thermostable and encapsulated probiotic,
composed of Bacillus cereus (ATCC 9634) 4,0 x
l08 UFC/g; Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 3131) 4,0 x l08
UFC/g, was incorporated in an extruded and in a
mealy commercial dog food. In one experiment,
quantitative and qualitative survival ratios of bacteria
were evaluated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of storage.
In other, 10 dogs (males and females) with weight
varying from 10 to 30 kg, without defined breeds,
were divided in two groups of five animals each.
All animals without serological titre anti-leptospiras
were vaccinated against the serovares canicola
and icterohaemorrhagiae in the beginning of the
experiment and maintained in individual facilities for
60 days. The animals of group I received extruded
ration with Probiotic TR and the animals of group II
received the same extruded ration without Probiotic
TR (controls). The antibodies’ titres against
serovares canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae
were determined before vaccination, and at 15o,
30o and 60o day after, using microscopic serumagglutination
reaction with live antigens. According
to the results of total count of spores in extruded
and mealy rations, the probiotic TR was stable for a
superior period than 12 months. The stimulation of
the immune response was verified by elevation of
serological titres from group I animals at 15o., 30o.
and 60o. day after vaccination while the control dogs
showed lower and unstable responses.