Efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii as a probiotic in dogs with lincomycin induced diarrhoea

Twenty-four dogs were divided into three equal groups. Lincomycin was administered intramuscularly to all groups. However, group II was given S. boulardii after lincomycin induced diarrhoea occurred, and in groupIII, lincomycin was administered together with S. boulardii. Lincomycin caused diarrhoea in groups I (in 7.8 +/- 1.6 d) and II (in 6.9 +/- 2 d), but it did not cause diarrhoea in group III. The durations of diarrhoea were significantly different (P<0.05) between group 1 (6.5 +/- 1.2 d) and group II (2.9 +/- 0.4 d). The total short chain fatty acid (TSCFA) level was significantly lower (P<0.001) compared with their baselines in groups I and 11 at the time of the diarrhoeas' onset and cessation. Additionally, there were differences between groups at the time of diarrhoea cessation and I week after the treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, lincomycin decreased TSCFAs causing diarrhoea in the dogs when given alone, and S. boulardii was effective in treating lincomycin induced diarrhoea and to prevent the occurrence of diarrhoea when given together with lincomycin.