Use of probiotics for the absorption of nutrients and the improvement of animal welfare

USE OF PROBIOTICS FOR THE ABSORPTION OF NUTRIENTS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF ANIMAL WELFARE Aurelija Navickaitė Master´s Thesis SUMMARY The project was done in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Veterinarian Academy Animal nutrition cathedral in 2011 2019. Fodder`s chemical analysis was done in Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Raw food, agronomical and zootechnical laboratory. Blood tests were done in a vet clinic in Kaunas. The scope of work: 43 pages, 7 pictures, and 6 tables. Goal: to establish fodders supplement (probiotics) for improved digestion influence on small dogs organism ability to absorb nutrients according to their age as well as establish their health. Tasks: 1. to establish quantities for chosen dog`s breed fodders and feces; 2. to analyze fodders and feces by establishing quantities of both: nutrients and energy sources; 3. to evaluate a dog`s blood biochemical indicators; 4. to evaluate the health of the test subjects; The studied Maltese groups were organized in an individual kennel breeding ground. Dogs were divided into groups according to their age (youngsters and adults). These groups were then divided into two more: K- young: (age ranging from 1 to 4 years, fed only „Adult Small Dog under 10 kg.“), K- adults: (age ranging from 5 to 8 years, fed only „Adult Small Dog under 10 kg“), B- young: (age ranging from 1 to 4 years, fed only „Adult Small Dog under 10 kg. and in addition - „EnteroFilus“), B-adults: (age ranging from 5 to 8 years, fed only „Adult Small Dog under 10 kg“ and in addition - „EnteroFilus“). At the end of the testing, it was declared that the K-young group`s feces quantity increased by 2.9 %, while B- young`s feces quantity at the beginning of the testing was 11.5 g. less compared to the quantity eaten (p<0.05), B- young group`s feces quantity at the beginning as well as at the end of the testing was 2.8 ±0.2 g. less than that of the K- young group. The Maltese group, that received additional probiotics had extracted 7.8±0.1 % (p<0.05) less feces than the same group that did not receive any additional probiotics (K- young). The probiotic had the largest influence on B- young and B-adult groups feces humidity. Very little or virtually non-existent changes were in green ash, green fat and green fiber (p<0.05). After receiving biochemical blood tests, we concluded that the calcium in B- adult group`s blood did not reach the norm 1.73 mmol/l (norm: 1.98-3 mmol/l). At the end of the testing, the amount of calcium increased to a 2.02 mmol/l (p