RESPONSE OF FOALS TO PROBIOTIC (PRONIFER) SUPPLEMENTATION

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Dept. of Animal Medicine, Fac. of Vet. Med., Assiut Univ.

2 Veterinary Medical Representive for Pronifer Producer Company

Abstract

A total number of 20 clinically healthy pure Arabian Egyptian breed foals aging 7-8 months old from El Zahraa farm, Cairo, Egypt constitute the material of this investigation. Different doses of the feed additive pronifer were given to three groups of the experimental animals (5, 10 and 15 g/kg balanced ration respectively) to study the effect of this probiotic on
Assiut Vet.Med. J. Vol. 40 No. 79, October 1998
feed utilization and health performance when compared with control group given only balanced ration. There was significant (P<0.01) increase in the weight gain and improvement in the feed conversion in foals given pronifer at a dose of 10 g/kg ration when compared with control ones. Insignificant (P>0.05) changes were found in rectal temperature, pulse and respiratory rates among all animals whether experimental or control ones. Signs of healthy condition were clearly seen in animals supplemented with pronifer in the form of lustrous and shining coat with normal defecation and urination, good appetite in addition to good activity when compared with control ones.

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