Canine probiotic
View Patent ↗According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.
1. A biologically pure culture of a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli isolated from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract and having probiotic activity, wherein the strain has the ability to survive and colonize the gastrointestinal tract of a companion animal, and is able to maintain viability following 1 hour at pH 2.5, and
wherein the strain is selected from Lactobacillus murinus strain AHC1222, Lactobacillus murinus strain AHC5323, Lactobacillus murinus strain AHC6331, and Lactobacillus murinus strain AHC3133.
2. The biologically pure culture according to claim 1 , wherein the strain has at least 66% growth when cultured in the presence of 0.5% bile salts.
3. The biologically pure culture according to claim 1 , wherein the companion animal is a dog.
4. The biologically pure culture according to claim 1 , wherein the companion animal is a cat.
5. A method of maintaining or improving the health of a companion animal comprising orally administering the strain of lactic acid bacteria according to claim 1 .
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the strain is selected for the ability to survive and colonize the gastrointestinal tract of companion animals.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the strain has at least 66% growth when cultured in the presence of 0.5% bile salts.
8. The method according to claim 5 for the regulation of the immune system of companion animals.
9. The method according to claim 8 for treating or preventing autoimmune disease in companion animals.
10. The method according to claim 8 for treating or preventing inflammation in companion animals.
11. The method according to claim 5 for maintaining or improving the health of the skin and/or coat system of companion animals.
12. The method according to claim 11 for treating or preventing atopic disease of the skin of companion animals.
13. The method according to claim 5 for ameliorating or reducing the effects of aging in companion animals.
14. The method according to claim 5 for preventing weight loss during and following infection in pets.
15. The method according to claim 5 for treating or preventing gastrointestinal infection in companion animals.
16. The method according to claim 15 for improving microbial ecology of companion animals.
17. The method according to claim 16 , comprising reducing the levels of pathogenic bacteria in the feces of companion animals.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the pathogenic bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Clostridia, Escherichia, Salmonella , and mixtures thereof.
19. The method according to claim 5 for treating or preventing urinary tract ailments in companion animals.
20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the urinary tract ailment comprises urinary tract infection.
21. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the urinary tract ailment comprises kidney stones.
22. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the probiotic Lactobacilli increase the degradation of oxalic acid in vitro.
23. The method according to claim 5 for increasing fiber digestion in companion animals.
24. The method according to claim 5 for reducing stress levels in companion animals.
25. The method according to claim 24 , wherein the stress levels are measured by determining the level of stress hormones selected from the group consisting of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, cortisol, C-reactive protein, and mixtures thereof.
26. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the strain is fed to an animal in an amount of from 1.0E+04 to 1.0E+12 CFU per animal per day.
27. The method according to claim 5 for the preparation of a composition intended for maintaining or improving pet health.
28. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the companion animal is a dog.
29. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the companion animal is a cat.
30. A composition comprising:
the strain of lactic acid bacteria according to claim 1 ; and
a carrier.
31. The composition according to claim 30 , wherein the strain is selected for the ability to survive and colonize the gastrointestinal tract of pets.
32. The composition according to claim 30 , wherein the strain has at least 66% growth when cultured in the presence of 0.5% bile salts.
33. The composition according to claim 31 , wherein the companion animal is a dog.
34. The composition according to claim 31 , wherein the companion animal is a cat.
35. The composition according to claim 30 , wherein the composition is a companion animal food.
36. The composition according to claim 35 , wherein the composition is a cat food.
37. The composition according to claim 35 , wherein the composition is a dog food.
38. The composition according to claim 35 , wherein the composition is a wet animal food or a dry animal food.
39. The composition according to claim 38 , wherein the composition is in the form of a kibble, a chew, or a biscuit.
40. The composition according to claim 30 , wherein the composition is a companion animal food supplement.
41. The composition according to claim 40 , wherein the composition is in the form of a gravy.
42. The composition according to claim 40 , wherein the composition is in the form of a yogurt, cheese, or other dairy product.
43. The composition according to claim 40 , wherein the composition is in the form of a capsule, a tablet, or a pill.
44. The composition according to claim 30 , comprising at least 0.001% of from about 1.0E+04 CFU/g to about 1.0E+12 CFU/g of the lactic acid bacteria.
45. The composition according to claim 30 , wherein the lactic acid bacteria are in the form of viable cells.
46. The composition according to claim 30 , wherein the lactic acid bacteria are in the form of non-viable cells, or the constituent active fractions thereof.