Activil – The Only Right Probiotic
SUPPORTING THE INTESTINAL MICROBIOME – A PRIMARY TASK FOR VETERINARIANS AFTER INFECTIOUS OR PARASITIC DISEASES IN PETS
By Dmytro Morozhenko, veterinary therapist and gastroenterologist, member of ISEAU and EBSA, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Avicena Vet Clinic, Lviv
The intestinal microbiome plays a vital role in the immune system and metabolic processes in dogs and cats. The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota helps maintain intestinal and systemic homeostasis through multiple mechanisms, including protection against pathogens, nutrient supply, facilitation of digestion and absorption, enhancement of barrier function, stimulation of intestinal development, and modulation of immune responses.
Changes in the microbiome due to disease are known as dysbiosis. This term refers to changes in diversity and/or structure of the microbiome, and to functional disruptions (e.g., altered synthesis of bacterial metabolites). Current research shows that intestinal dysbiosis is associated with various GI disorders in dogs and cats—such as chronic enteropathies, acute uncomplicated diarrhea, acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome, and intestinal cancer. Altered microbial profiles and metabolite patterns have also been observed in dogs and cats with intestinal inflammation.
The Role of Probiotics
Administering probiotics to companion animals has a positive impact, including immune modulation, stress reduction, and protection against pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics have been shown to promote health in several conditions, including:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD),
- Diarrhea,
- Colorectal cancer,
- Allergies,
- Type 2 diabetes,
- Atopic dermatitis.
Ongoing research is exploring:
- The relationship between probiotics, the intestinal microbiome, and overall pet health,
- Methods to assess microbiota diversity in dogs and cats,
- The safety of probiotic use in companion animals.
Understanding the mechanisms of action of probiotics in dogs and cats is vital for their future development and application in veterinary practice.
Scientific Evidence
Studies have shown that a combined probiotic consisting of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Clostridium butyricum, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis is effective as a feed supplement to improve GI health in dogs. Specifically, B. subtilis and B. licheniformis have been shown to:
- Reduce nitrogen fermentation byproducts in feces,
- Lower fecal odor,
- Improve stool quality,even though nutrient digestibility remains unchanged.
Another study comparing fecal microbiota of cats with chronic diarrhea to that of healthy cats found that oral administration of Bacillus licheniformis fermented products significantly alleviated GI symptoms and improved microbiome composition in affected cats.
Stability of Probiotics
Stability is a major concern with probiotic use. Many common probiotics—like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium—are sensitive to stressors such as:
- Heat,
- Oxygen,
- pH,
- Enzymes,
- Bile salts.
These factors reduce their efficacy during processing, storage, and GI passage. Spore-forming bacteria, however, offer a solution: their spores survive extreme conditions that would quickly destroy vegetative cells. Spores are resistant to heat, stomach acidity, bile, and solvents, allowing survival through the digestive tract. Notably, Bacillus subtilis can be stored long-term without refrigeration.
Activil: Advanced Spore-Based Probiotics
Taking into account:
- Storage convenience,
- GI and immune health benefits,
- Survival in harsh stomach and intestinal environments,
- Rapid activation and action,
the Activil-3 and Activil Tabs supplements were developed.
Activil belongs to the 4th generation of probiotics and contains spores of:
- Bacillus licheniformis,
- Bacillus subtilis,
- Clostridium butyricum.
These probiotics are:
- Highly stable in the GI tract,
- Resistant to environmental stressors and certain antibiotics,
- Effective in restoring the microbiome after infections, parasitic diseases, or antibiotic therapy.
Benefits of Probiotic Bacteria in Activil-3 and Activil Tabs
| Name of Microorganism | Effect on the gastrointestinal tract |
| BACILLUS SUBTILIS | Spore-forming bacterium that suppresses the growth of pathogenic bacteria through competitive exclusion. Produces lysozyme and peptides with antibiotic properties in the intestine, as well as a large number of enzymes that significantly improve digestive processes in animals. Synthesizes amino acids and some vitamins. Stimulates both nonspecific and specific immunity. |
| BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS | Spore-forming bacterium that synthesizes vitamins in the digestive tract — vitamin K, riboflavin, folic acid; produces lactic acid, which stimulates the growth of lactobacilli and suppresses the growth of pathogenic microorganisms by competing with them for oxygen consumption. |
| CLOSTRIDIUM BUTYRICUM | Spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that synthesizes N-Butyric acid, which stimulates the division of enterocytes and the restoration of the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. Enhances the barrier function of the intestine by regulating mucin synthesis and tightening intercellular spaces. N-Butyric acid has antimicrobial effects on Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens. |
The symbiosis of these bacteria improves the condition of the intestinal microflora, reducing the risk of bacterial diseases by naturally displacing opportunistic pathogenic bacteria and stimulating the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria. The high enzymatic activity of these bacteria supports digestive processes, enhances feed digestion, and improves the absorption of nutrients.
By stimulating the phagocytic activity of monocytes and neutrophils, enhancing the functional activity of macrophages, inducing endogenous interferon, and increasing the gamma-globulin fraction in the blood, the nonspecific resistance of the organism is strengthened.
INDICATIONS FOR USE OF AKTIVIL-3 AND AKTIVIL TABS:
- Balancing and improving the gastrointestinal microbiome in cats and dogs after antibiotic therapy;
- For disorders of the functional state of the gastrointestinal tract in animals;
- To improve feed digestion and fecal quality;
- As an adjunct for the prevention and treatment of bacterial and viral gastrointestinal infections;
- To increase the body’s resistance and immune system activity;
- To reduce signs of inflammation in non-infectious inflammatory processes in the digestive tract.
METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE OF AKTIVIL PREPARATIONS
Aktivil-TABS (tablets) are administered orally to animals for 3–14 days, 2–3 times a day during feeding with food or independently, or forcibly on the root of the tongue at doses:
| Composition | Dosage |
Clostridium butyricum — 1 × 105 CFU* Bacillus licheniformis — 1 × 106 CFU* Bacillus subtilis — 1 × 106 CFU* | Large breed dogs — 2 tablets Medium breed dogs — 1 to 2 tablets Small breed dogs and cats — 1/2 to 1 tablet Puppies and kittens — 1/4 to 1/2 tablet |
Aktivil-3 for dogs and cats (powder) — administered once daily for a course of 5–7 days, orally. The powder is dissolved in water and given forcibly using a syringe or mixed with wet food, in the following doses:
| Composition | Dosage |
Clostridium butyricum — 1 × 105 CFU* Bacillus licheniformis — 1 × 106 CFU* Bacillus subtilis — 1 × 106 CFU* | Large breed dogs – 4–6 g per animal Medium breed dogs – 2–3 g per animal Small breed dogs and cats – 1–1.5 g per animal Kittens and puppies – 0.5–1 g per animal |
CLINICAL CASE №1
Cat, Scottish Fold, 7 years old, diagnosis – diabetes mellitus. Sudden change of diet caused deterioration in stool consistency, increased mucus content, and foul odor. The animal is on insulin therapy, receiving Lantus insulin 2 IU subcutaneously every 12 hours. Activil-TABS was prescribed at a dose of 1/2 tablet twice a day after feeding for 7 days. Improvement in stool condition was observed on the 4th day.
CLINICAL CASE №2
Dog, mixed breed, 2 years old, body weight 7 kg. Clinical signs – diarrhea, light brown stool, moderate mucus present in feces, feces have a foul odor. Final diagnosis – giardiasis (confirmed by PCR test from rectal smear with feces). Treatment prescribed: Macmirror tablets 200 mg – 1/2 tablet twice a day for 21 days. Stool condition improved on the 4th day of treatment, but 2 days after the end of treatment, stool became poorly formed again. Activil-3 powder for dogs was then prescribed – 2 grams twice a day, mixed with food, course duration 14 days. Stool normalization occurred on the 3rd day after starting the probiotic.
CONCLUSION
These clinical cases confirm that the use of probiotics Activil-TABS and Activil-3 improves stool condition, making it more formed, eliminating unpleasant odor, and stopping excessive mucus secretion. This indicates a significant positive effect of the probiotic bacteria in the preparation on intestinal health, specifically supporting the microbiome, which is an important factor in treating gastroenterological pathologies in dogs and cats.
