Visbiome users, how do you divide up capsules/packets?

[Riyah]

Hi all!

I've decided to switch from Proviable DC capsules to Visbiome packets. I'm seeing on the Visbiome site that you can give up to 1 packet a day but I'm curious about how everyone goes about that. Do you divide up the packets and give one over the course of a few days? Or do you give a full packet at once?

I've also seen a few people mention that Visbiome was formulated with IBD in mind. My cat had some diarrhea issues that lasted for around a month this past summer but resolved kinda on their own, only change I made was starting a daily Proviable DC with Lily's dinner. We had an abdominal ultrasound back then which didn't have any conclusive results, so no definitive diagnosis of IBD. Is Visbiome still appropriate to give? I wouldn't want her to have the reverse problem but I have noticed that occasionally she'll have some softer/stinky stool.

And lastly, I'm assuming since a good number of people here use it, I shouldn't expect it to spike her BG levels, right? I guess I can just monitor and test her after to see!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

The 1 packet a day is for humans. For probiotics, the recommended dose per day is 5-10 billion CFU/kg/day. So a 5 kg cat (11 lbs) would get 25-50 CFU per day. The packet has 450 billion CFU in it, so that 5 kg kitty would get anywhere from 1/18th to 1/9th a packet a day. I give it AM and PM, so divide that number in half again. Actually, my kitty is 4 kg, so even less, but the math is easier with a 5 kg cat.

I have a set of tiny measuring spoons. I use the one called a Dash and give 1/2 of that AM and PM. The packet usually lasts at least 10 days.

If in the US, you can get Visbiome Vet capsules which have 112.5 billion CFU, so you'd pull it apart and give 1/4 to 1/2 a day. For a diabetic kitty, the vet capsules are a better idea, as the packets contain sucrose, though a tiny amount. I'm in Canada and can't get the capsules. Fortunately IBD kitty is not diabetic.

Proviable is also a good product, but not as concentrated, so you give a lot more volume to reach the same amount of CFU.

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I use the capsules. I draw 4 lines with a sharpie so I know what’s 1/4 capsule since that’s what they get daily.

 

[tiffmaxee]

I have the capsules and just eyeball it.

 

[Riyah]

Oh interesting! I had no idea the packets had sucrose Those were the ones I ordered so maybe I should see if I could get a refund.

Love the measuring spoons too, I think I'll order them.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I use capsules and my cats are on 1/2 twice a day.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I use capsules and open them and mix with food. They get one capsule per day.